Posted at: 09/22/2009 1:10 PM
By: Benita Zahn

Print Story  Email to a Friend

Take charge of your health

I was out walking the dog this morning with a friend when she mentioned her recent blood work turned up an irregularity with her thyroid.

"What's the issue?" I asked.

"Not sure. The nurse didn't tell me, just said come back for a re-check in 3 months" she replied.

That kind of response always gets me swinging.

My friend asked what was wrong but she got a non-answer. She compounded the problem by not pressing for more details.

It's your body - it's your right to know what's going on with it. The only way we can be partners in our care, which organized medicine keeps encouraging, is to be a real partner. That means doctors have to be upfront with us - they have to stop saying things like, 'it's a little off, a little high, a little low'. Tell us the values and what they mean otherwise it's difficult to make lifestyle changes or treatment choices.

When you go to the doctor's office bring your list of symptoms and questions. Too often we feel rushed, intimidated or both and subsequently we're not served well because we're not giving the physician or physician's assistant a complete picture of our health concerns. If you want the doctor to give you his/her best, you have to do the same.