• Douglas M. Lakin
    Paradise Valley Medical Clinic
    Ph: (480) 614-5800
  • 9977 North 90th Street, Suite 180
    Scottsdale, AZ 85258
    Fax: (480) 614-6322

Bad Blood

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Many of you will recall my excitement at the prospect of Arizona being the test ground for a new lab company called Theranos back in 2013.  This company claimed it would revolutionize medicine through simple finger stick blood testing for 100’s of lab tests;  at a fraction of the cost while maintaining superior accuracy.

 

As  the story developed, Theranos did not deliver fully on any of their promises, and the mendacity of the company’s founder has now  become the focus of a best-selling book by John Carreyrou, entitled Bad Blood.

 

In it, Carreyrou describes a culture of criticism and secrecy that is  the opposite of the scientific method needed to develop new and important discoveries.  From start to finish, the story of the founder, Elizabeth Holmes, is one of a charlatan who preys on the public’s desire for quality healthcare at an affordable price, while spinning yarns of riches for those in Silicon Valley who could get in on her imaginary vision of ‘inexpensive & simple lab testing for all’.

 

Get a copy of Bad Blood >>>HERE<<<

COLON HEALTH

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The American Cancer Society is now recommended colon cancer screening begin at age 45 for those with routine risk of colon cancer.

This is based on recent evidence that colon cancer is increasing among the younger generation and that the routine of screening at age 50 is missing these patients.

Options for screening include colonoscopy, checking for microscopic blood in the bowel, and genetic testing of the bowel with the new Cologard Kit, with which we have had much success.

Additional recommendations include the following:

  • Regular screening is recommended through age 75 for those at average risk who have a life expectancy of more than 10 years.
  • For adults aged 76 to 85, clinicians should individualize the decision to screen.
  • Screening should be discouraged among those aged 86 and older.

MEDICARE NEWS: New 2018 Medicare Card Information!

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Medicare is Finally Upgrading Your Card – Here’s Everything yo…

We know that dealing with any changes or paperwork in your Medicare enrollment and benefits can be difficult. So we are here to help clarify what you need to do with the newly-upgraded Medicare cards.

Posted by Medicare World on Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Medicare currently uses a Social Security based ID number to identify people with Medicare and administer the program. On April 1, 2018 Medicare will begin the process of discontinuing Social Security numbers for identification and will begin sending new Medicare cards to Medicare recipients with new ID numbers.
            Your new Medicare ID number will replace the Social Security number that is currently on all Medicare ID cards. Your new Medicare number will be specific to you and should be protected as personally identifiable information but must be provided to your medical doctors so your medical claims can be billed. The ID number on your new Medicare card will be different than your current ID number, randomly generated, and have uppercase letters that are “non-intelligent,” which means they don’t have any hidden or special meaning.
            Moving to new Medicare numbers and issuing new Medicare cards requires a lot of change to the current system and it is a change that will be nationwide and gradual beginning no earlier than April 1, 2018 and running through December 31, 2019. This means your new Medicare card can arrive anytime within this time frame. Release of the new ID cards will be timed and controlled by Medicare. Your old Medicare cards should not be discarded but can be filed safely away.
            Your new Medicare card will not change your Medicare benefits and patients with Medicare should start giving the new Medicare cards to their health care providers as soon as they arrive. It is important to know the transition period for Medicare providers also begins on April 1, 2018 and will run through December 31, 2019. This means Medicare providers have until January 1, 2020 to begin exclusively billing with the new Medicare ID numbers. Some Medicare providers will begin using the new ID numbers as soon as April 1, 2018, others will be closer to the December 31, 2019 deadline. This decision is made on a case by case basis and is perfectly acceptable under the terms of the Medicare program. A provider may require you provide your “old” Medicare card in order to submit your claim, as long services were provided prior to the December 31, 2019 deadline this is also acceptable.
If you have questions, please contact Veronica, our Billing Supervisor.

ZPACK MAGIC

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Zpack (Zithromax) is the modern version of Erythromycin.   Zithromax is easier to use and causes less GI distress than erythromycin.

Now Zithromax may help prevent premature death in newborns in Africa..   What ‘Can’t’ Zpak do?
See the VIDEO >>>>HERE<<<

Scientists Discover a Bone-Deep Risk for Heart Disease

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Some of you may know that I was a Philosophy major at ASU, and I also am a HAMLET nut.  I love the play.

 

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

 

This quote is so often borne out in the real world, and three recent examples in the biological sciences just shows how strange and fascinating the world is, and how very different it is than what we conceive.  Take a look:

 

 

 

 

 


CHECK OUT THE VIROSPHERE >>>HERE<<<

 

CHIP IS A MAJOR HEART DISEASE RISK WE NEVER KNEW ABOUT.  NEW RESEARCH WILL REVEAL HOW WE CAN INTERVENE >>>HERE<<<

A QUICK PICK ME UP

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Debbie Landau-West is the premier dietitian/nutritionist in Scottsdale and has been practicing here for the past 30+ years.

I recently asked her to provide a patient a list of some quick energy ‘pick me ups’ in between meals and this is the list she provided. It is useful for all of us:

 

TRY THESE SNACKS FOR QUICK AND EASY ENERGY

Apple with Peanut Butter
Granola Bars
Cheese and Crackers
Cottage Cheese and Applesauce
Some protein bars such as Luna Bar, Balance Bar, Cliff Bar or RX Bar
Glass of Milk or Chocolate Milk
Milk with Olvatine mixed in
Graham Crackers with either Milk or Peanut Butter
Graham Crackers with Dark Chocolate Almond Nut Butter
Glass of Unsweetened Natural Fruit Juice with String Cheese
Banana and Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter on Toast

If you want to reach Debbie to assist you with your health/dietary needs,

Debbie Landau-West MS, RD

Address 18779 N. 91st Place Scottsdale AZ 85255 Phone: 480-502-1633

Read more from Debbie in THE DIETS, the book we co-wrote together.  Get your copy at our office or download it >>>>HERE<<<<