July 23, 2025
I did not feel listened to or cared for. I waited 8 months for this appointment & within minutes of discussing my concerns, I was dismissed. I have struggled with thyroid issues for years and wanted a deeper look at my levels. Dr. Malik told me I did not have thyroid issues due to the medication I was taking, and that my PCP only had me on that medication to "feel better about himself." (He said this about another SIH provider, which was immediately alarming.) As I further described my concerns & worries about potential blood sugar or insulin issues, he did not listen because he discounted me having any issues. I detailed my unexplained weight gain & previous GLP-1 use, but I did not want to go back on one. Instead, I wanted further testing, trying to discover any root cause rather than just treating the symptom of weight gain. He suggested I take a stimulant, which would increase my heart rate & I did not wish to take. I inquired about testing my hormones again, because I had quit taking birth control. He told me birth control does not affect hormone levels, despite the fact that my birth control prevented ovulation & the tests are based on ovulation. He ordered the tests only to "appease" me & did not think anything would show. When I again tried to explain that something was wrong, I felt off, & just wanted to treat the cause, he told me I was fine. He recommended the weight loss clinic. He ordered labs, but did not schedule a follow up appointment to discuss them. In my after visit summary, his notes indicated that we talked about foods & ways to manage my blood sugar. We never discussed this, as he told me I did not have those issues. He suggested lifestyle changes, despite not inquiring about my habits at all. After completing my labs, Dr. Malik said my levels were fine or "acceptable" then referred me back to my PCP, before all my results were even available. I will never see Dr. Malik again. He did not listen to me, did not hear my concerns, included inaccurate information/recommendations in my after visit summary, & did not even review all my lab results before referring me to another doctor. Even if my labs were abnormal, I would not see Dr. Malik to address these issues. I felt ignored & not cared for. I will not recommend Dr. Malik to anyone in the Southern Illinois area, instructing them to find a specialist at another institution if they want their issues even heard. I cannot fully express how upsetting this appointment was, to wait 8 months to be told I am perfectly fine, to see a weight loss clinic, & just address the issues on my own. I know my body, I know my issues, & shoving me off as if I am doing nothing to improve my health left me upset & angry.
