When a patient comes to me with complicated symptoms, I typically order a series of tests to arrive at a diagnosis. But what happens if those tests all come back normal?

There are conditions that can’t be identified by CAT scans, blood tests or ultrasounds. And sometimes testing only adds to a patient’s anxiety and makes them feel worse.

So, how do you decide when testing is necessary and when it isn’t?

On this inaugural episode of Tell Me More, I sit down with my pediatrician husband, Christopher, to discuss how his approach to testing differs from mine and why testing children often does more harm than good.

We explain why American doctors tend to over-rely on tests, and I share a case study of a patient whose tubal ligation post ablation syndrome couldn’t be diagnosed with a CAT scan, ultrasound or lab work.

Listen in to understand how poor communication leads to patient mistrust and learn how to diagnose patients and communicate clearly—without over-relying on tests.

The question Christopher asks before ordering a test for a patient

Why doctors in India look down on American physicians for our overreliance on tests

How my patient with tubal ligation post ablation syndrome couldn’t be diagnosed through testing

Why testing in children often does more harm than good

An example of a young leukemia patient who could have been diagnosed sooner with lab work

Why doctors tend to write off patients when their tests come back normal

How power of suggestion makes us believe a problem is much worse

How a doctor’s inability to communicate leads to patient frustration and mistrust

The power in showing confidence and humility in communication with patients

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For many years, Keri suffered from debilitating gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, weight fluctuation, and depression before she was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

And she has had more than her fair share of conversations with doctors.

How did the experience improve once Keri felt heard? How did effective communication impact her health? And what does effective doctor-patient communication look like?

On this episode of Tell Me More, Keri joins me to describe the mental and physical symptoms of hypothyroidism and discuss how long it took to get an accurate diagnosis.

Keri explains the power in building trust with your healthcare team and shares her maddening experience with a doctor who discounted how she felt because her numbers were “normal.”

Listen in for Keri’s advice to listeners who think they might have hypothyroidism and learn why doctors can’t rely on data alone to treat human beings.

Keri’s experience with a doctor who discounted how she felt because her numbers were “normal”

How Keri’s fatigue, GI issues, weight gain and depression were symptoms of hypothyroidism

How often Keri checks her TSH, T3 and T4 to make sure they’re in the range she feels best

The power in finding a doctor who makes you feel heard

Why asking open-ended questions facilitates more effective communication with patients

The frustration of retelling your story over and over to new doctors (especially with a chronic condition)

How hypothyroidism impacts your mental health

Keri’s advice for listeners who think they might have hypothyroidism

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Danielle doesn’t feel like a medical miracle. But after experiencing a stroke at the age of 33, being misdiagnosed for several months and enduring complications from brain surgery, her health journey is truly extraordinary.

Unfortunately, Danielle and her husband Stan had a number of difficult conversations with the not-so-sympathetic specialists who treated her along the way.

What were those conversations like? Should we tolerate a certain amount of arrogance from medical professionals at the top of their field? And what is the best way to approach healthcare conversations when your life is at stake? 

On this episode of Tell Me More, Danielle joins me to explain why her husband, Stan questioned her initial diagnosis of AVM and walk us through her interactions with the three high-profile neurosurgeons she went to for a second opinion. 

Danielle describes how she learned that she had been misdiagnosed and was still in danger, sharing her experience with surgery to fix the irregular connection in her brain and why she didn’t love her doctor’s bedside manner—but trusted his confidence.

Listen in to understand why it’s crucial to have an advocate when your health is compromised and learn to listen to your gut in challenging conversations with healthcare providers.

Why Danielle’s husband Stan questioned her initial diagnosis of AVM

How the neurosurgeon reacted to a request for a second opinion

Danielle’s interactions with the 3 high-profile specialists her husband sought out

How Danielle learned she had been misdiagnosed

How the vascular neurosurgeon delivered the news that Danielle was still in danger

Why we tolerate arrogance in a physician when paired with skill

How Danielle was blindsided by the possibility of needing a craniotomy

The relationship between a positive attitude and a positive health outcome

How Danielle’s doctor reacted to her complications from surgery

Danielle’s advice on listening to your gut when talking to healthcare providers

Why it’s crucial to have an advocate if your health is compromised

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A lot of us feel a little blue during the holiday season. But for some, that blueness is much more significant. It can be a medical diagnosis of clinical depression or anxiety that disrupts their lives. 

And as good as medicine has gotten over the years, we still do a pretty rotten job when it comes to talking to patients about their mental health. There's this stigma that if life is pretty good, and you have a lot going for you, you should just be able to pick yourself up by the bootstraps.

So, how can clinicians broach the subject of mental health with patients who may need support? And how do you start a conversation with your doctor if you happen to be struggling?

On this episode of Tell Me More, I introduce you to a patient of mine named Amy who describes the physical symptoms she’s experienced off and on since college and discusses how she was finally diagnosed with anxiety and seasonal depression.

We explore why it’s crucial for clinicians to be open to feedback if medication isn’t working, and Amy explains what she did beyond taking citalopram to engage in self-care and improve her mental health. 

Listen in for Amy’s advice to clinicians on being compassionate to patients with mental health issues and learn how to open up to your doctor to improve your mental wellness and enhance your quality of life!

Why it’s crucial for clinicians to show their work and explain the why behind a treatment

Amy’s physical symptoms of brain fog, exhaustion, IBS and a short fuse

How Amy was finally diagnosed with anxiety and seasonal depression (and how those conditions manifest differently in different seasons of life)

What Amy did to improve her mental health beyond taking medication

Amy’s willingness to share her mental health challenges with others

How having a full serotonin bucket gives Amy the mental clarity to pause before she reacts

Amy’s advice to clinicians on how to speak to patients with mental health issues

What drove Amy’s decision to stop taking her medication (and how she felt when she had to start again)

Amy’s advice for listeners on how to talk to clinicians about your mental health

Why it’s crucial for clinicians to be open to feedback if the first prescription isn’t working

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11 years ago, Kim woke up with a headache that refused to go away. After five days of suffering, she went to her primary care doctor and was diagnosed with adult-onset migraines.

But four months and 23 medications later, she was admitted to the hospital for pain control. None of the treatments had worked.

That’s when the hospital neurologist accused Kim of faking her symptoms to get attention. And Kim started to wonder if she was losing her mind.

On this episode of Tell Me More, Kim joins me to discuss the physical symptoms she experienced in the four months leading up to her hospitalization and describe how the chronic pain led to suicidal ideations. 

She walks us through the long list of specialists she saw and treatments she tried before a neurosurgeon asked the right questions and discovered her displaced cervical spine.

Listen in to understand what the neurosurgeon who saved Kim did differently from the neurologist who dismissed her and learn how to confront a doctor who does you wrong in a way that makes them better.

The symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness and nausea Kim suffered in addition to her headache

Kim’s experience of trying 23 different medications and countless treatments with no relief

How Kim’s chronic pain and dizziness led to suicidal ideations

Kim’s reaction to the hospital neurologist who accused her of faking symptoms for attention

The neurosurgeon who discovered Kim’s displaced cervical spine and resolved her pain

Kim’s post-op confrontation with the neurologist who dismissed her

Why a good physician will not be offended if you advocate for yourself and ask for a second opinion

Kim’s advice to PCPs on creating a team of colleagues to support patients who aren’t doing well

What the neurosurgeon who saved Kim did differently than the other doctors she’d seen

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Molly endured the life-or-death experience of an ectopic pregnancy. Then, when her obstetrician said it was safe, she got pregnant again and delivered a healthy baby boy.

Today, she has two children under the age of two. And while Molly is grateful to have had two successful pregnancies, the journey was fraught with the frustration of having to explain her history again and again.

So, what can we do to make women who’ve experienced pregnancy loss feel supported?

On this episode of Tell Me More, Molly joins me to discuss her first pregnancy, walking us through the nine weeks leading up to an emergency ultrasound and surgery to treat her ectopic pregnancy. 

She explains how three different practitioners offered very different prognoses for her second pregnancy and what she did to take charge of the process when she was pregnant for the third time.

Listen in to understand why the system doesn’t work for women who’ve experienced pregnancy loss and learn what obstetricians can do to support women during and after an ectopic pregnancy.

The gas pains, constipation and spotting that led Molly to have a series of bloodwork and exams

Why Molly went to Google to find out what her bloodwork should look like

Molly’s experience having an emergency ultrasound and surgery to treat her ectopic pregnancy

The guidance Molly got on how long to wait before trying to get pregnant again

How 3 doctors interpreted the results of Molly’s hysterosalpingogram very differently

How Molly had a successful second pregnancy and delivered a healthy boy

What Molly did to take charge of the process when she was pregnant for the third time

Why the system doesn’t work for women who’ve experienced a pregnancy loss

How to advocate for yourself if you’re considering pregnancy for the first time

Molly’s advice on navigating the system for women who’ve experienced pregnancy loss

What obstetricians can do to support women who’ve experienced pregnancy loss

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When I was growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, ADD wasn’t a thing. Kids with attention deficit disorder struggled to succeed and often developed anxiety and depression as a result.

This is exactly what happened to Kim, and it wasn’t until she was homeschooling her own children during the pandemic that she made the connection: Perhaps the cause of her mental health issues was undiagnosed ADD.

But it’s been much more challenging than you might expect for Kim to receive the appropriate treatment.

On this episode of Tell Me More, Kim joins me to explain how she was diagnosed with depression as a young adult and why her mental health treatment took a turn for the worse when her psychiatrist added bipolar disorder to the mix in 2017.

Kim describes how she was dismissed when she first mentioned adult ADD to her neurologist, what steps she took to get diagnosed by a neuropsychologist, and why her mental health history is still stopping her from getting adequate treatment.

Listen in for insight on what it’s like for Kim to live with adult ADD and learn how to honor your intuition and advocate for yourself when a doctor’s mental health treatment plan doesn’t seem right.

Why Kim was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2017 and how the meds led to her hospitalization

How Kim’s psychiatrist responded to her request to come off bipolar meds and why she brought her husband along for the appointment

The revelation Kim had as she was homeschooling her kids during the pandemic and discussing their struggles with ADD

How Kim’s neurologist dismissed her when she mentioned adult ADD

Kim’s journey to being diagnosed with ADD by a neuropsychologist

How Kim’s mental health history is preventing her from getting appropriate treatment for ADD

What it’s like for Kim to live with ADD as an adult and how it impacts her relationships

Why practitioners should be careful about diagnosing mental health disorders

Kim’s advice to patients to honor our intuition and keep searching if something’s not right

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As the drummer in a popular band, Jeff has been playing music and performing for audiences of thousands for many years.

But at the end of 2020, he started experiencing symptoms of dizziness and a feeling of heaviness in his upper body during shows. Jeff relied on kinesthetic memory to play the drums, while he focused on not fainting.

And despite the best efforts of his primary care doctor, a GI specialist, a gallbladder surgeon and the team at his local ER, Jeff still didn’t have answers two years later!

On this episode of Tell Me More, Jeff shares his frustrating two-year journey to find an explanation for his nagging symptoms.

Jeff discusses his decision to see a different PCP for a fresh set of eyes, describing what the new doctor learned by monitoring his heart over a two-week period.

Listen in to understand how taking a mild beta blocker has resolved Jeff’s symptoms and learn how to reach out for a second opinion when your case is hard to diagnose.

How Jeff’s episodes seemed to occur only when he was playing drums

The testing Jeff’s primary care doctor conducted and why she sent him to a GI specialist

Why the GI surgeon decided against removing Jeff’s gallbladder

Jeff’s difficult conversation with a physician who dismissed his symptoms as nerves from performing

How Jeff underwent another round of testing in the ER after a rough weekend of episodes

Why Jeff went to a different primary care practice for fresh eyes and what the new doctor learned by monitoring his heart over a 2-week period

How Jeff’s vagus nerve was overreacting to the adrenaline rush of playing drums

How taking a mild beta blocker resolved Jeff’s symptoms

Jeff’s advice to patients with nagging symptoms who can’t get answers from their PCP

Why Jeff is considering a shift to the practice that resolved his issue

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For most of my adult life, I had no relationship with alcohol whatsoever. And then, in 2016, I discovered a love of bourbon and started enjoying an old fashioned when I was out with family and friends.

But then the pandemic hit, and I started having a regular cocktail at home to cope with the stress. I was only drinking one adult beverage, but I was drinking every night.

Fast forward to three months ago when a patient I’ve known for a long time expressed worry that I was drinking too much. I was stunned. And angry.

Nevertheless, her comments inspired me to reflect on my habits and take a 30-day break from alcohol.

On this episode of Tell Me More, I’m exploring the impact alcohol had on my health, explaining why I blamed menopause and the stress of COVID for my poor sleep and memory dysfunction.

I discuss why I felt anxious and irritable for the first ten days of Dry January before my brain fog lifted and I felt like a new person by the end of the month.

Listen in to understand the science behind alcohol’s impact on your brain, mood and sleep quality—and learn how easy it is to slip into a drinking habit, no matter who you are or how much you know!

Why I drank very little before I discovered a love of bourbon in my 40’s

How I coped with the stress of COVID by having a regular drink at home

Why I blamed menopause for my poor sleep and brain fog

Why I didn’t recognize the impact alcohol was having on my health

What inspired me to reflect on my drinking habits

How consistent alcohol use impacts your brain, mood and quality of sleep

Why I felt anxious and irritable for the first 10 days of Dry January

How my brain fog lifted and I felt like a new person by the end of the month

How easy it is to slip into a drinking habit (no matter how smart you are)

What to say to a loved one who’s started drinking consistently

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What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health on the Huberman Lab Podcast