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Unethical Doctor orders PSA w/o Patient consent

Posted , 11 users are following.

craig84609
craig84609

First I want to say that I am a 47 year old man that is on Testosterone replacement because I have Osteoperosis due to my body not making testosterone any longer. The reason for this is probably from IBD. When one has Crohn's disease it can reduce Testosterone production or in my case stop it all together. I have been seeing this Endocrinologist for a couple of years now and after my last RX refill of it he said that I will NEED TO HAVE A PSA TEST. Not here are the reasons I believe it would be a good idea, can I put you in for one. Instead it is an ultimatum, you will have a PSA test or I will no longer give you Testosterone. Now, in my defense I have no family history of Prostate cancer so I am not in a high risk group and being on Testosterone my PSA will be elevated and that can lead to a false positive test resulting in a biopsy or worse someone thinking they have cancer when they probably don't. I support every mans decision reguarding this test, whether they decide to have it or not it is a matter of personal choice and it is unethical for a doctor , in my opinion to sneak this test in a blood workup without first discussing the pro's and con's of it with their patient. It is my choice as to whether I choose to have it or not. If my doctor had said we need to disuss how you feel about this test and here are the possible outcomes of it then I would not be upset. I called them and told them I didn't want to be tested. I said that being on testosterone my PSA would most likely be elevated and I am of low risk so I decline the PSA. I also said I need to know soon if he is requiring it to continue giving me testosterone, because I need to get a new doctor before running out. The nurse seemed nervous and said ok I will leave a note for them letting them know you are not willing to have this test. What I really wanted to know is why on earth would he order this test without discussing it with me first. I find this to be unethical in nature and I am losing my trust with this doctor. Ok, rant over. Has anyone else had a similar problem? If so what happened? What did you do about it?

1 like, 22 replies

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  • jj1003
    jj1003 craig84609

    Posted

    I have read men's responses to your concerns and it is disheartening.  It appears that most people still fall into the category of "whatever the medical profession does must be for my good."  How could we have so much information out there so available with ten mnutes of search time and people still be so naive and irresponsible about making their own decisions regarding their health.

    As far as "ethical" goes, I am not sure I would say it was unethical.  Maybe, but it is common for a doctor to look out for number one, himself, and a lot of tests are done just for that...defensive practice of medicine or worse, greed.  I have often had tests run without my consent.  Including HIV when my surgeon cut his own surgical glove during my surgery.  He told me about the incident and promptly ordered a second HIV test (even though he had asked if I might have HIV...I told him "no" and he ordered it anyway...the insurance refused to comply or pay because it is always tested when you go into the hospital anyway.  

    Back to the guys who are suggesting that you are being silly for not wanting another test, one that you know will tell YOU nothing rational, but one that will definitely put you at odds with more specialists and their scare tactics, and one that will just be played non-stop in your brain as you sleep...that is just insensitive, naive...All I think of when guys suggest that  is "okay, just wait your turn, you too will be pushed into an inaccurate test, probably even the PSA, and then you can go through the pressured biopsy and further medication and you too can live with pee problems forever, not to mention E.D.  Let me know when you have cycled through all that so that you can acknowledge your experience-acquired wisdom, instead of learning from others."

    Until then, pay attention to your own gut.  Find other ways to test testosterone, like the one patient suggested. And just stay polite with the doc who is interested first in his own self and then your health.  Maybe write to him anonymously so he can rethink his testing procedures.  It is just disappointing but it is hard to find the doctor who will put your health above all other interests.

    • lester90053
      lester90053 jj1003

      Posted

      Then why bother going to see a doctor at all? Do you know any doctors who would act differently? If you do then that doctor is not following the procedures taught in medical schools, internships in hospitals, and those of their peers.
    • craig84609
      craig84609 jj1003

      Posted

      I think that is it, he wants the test because he is scared the he will be held liable for me if he continues to give me testosterone and I have prostate cancer it will fuel the cancer to grow. I would be willing to sign a waiver absolving him of any wrong doing if I should have cancer. I believe it is a matter of personal choice and I totally support any man who would like to have the test done, but I think if those men did the research on it I believe they may think otherwise. I have read articles that have been put out by major cancer centers stating that they can no longer reccomend regular screening unless a man chooses it. A positive PSA would in fact cause me more stress that it is worth. I also read a sad article in which there had been some men that had a PSA test done and based on the results thought that their lives were over so instead of the possible treatments for cancer they opted to take their own lives. I know these are extreme cases, but this is what you get when a doctor doesn't fully explain the possible outcomes of such a serious test. I don't expect others to choose as I have but they have a right to choose yes or no to this test. I really care about other people and their right to choose what is right for them. Thank you for your response. 
  • Mike83077
    Mike83077 craig84609

    Posted

    Craig,

    Get the Book, The Great Prostate Hoax, author Richard Ablin, PHD

    Go to You Tube and watch Doug Kaufman, The Problem with the PSA.

    Doug Kaufman interviews Dr. Ablin, it's awesome...!!!

    Mike Bear

     

    • craig84609
      craig84609 Mike83077

      Posted

      I have seen it. I understand others views on the subject, but it can only tell one if their prostate is enlarged nothing more. It does have value this way. I may have a psa test as I believe mine is enlarged and need to know why. My biggest complaint is doctors that don't discuss it with their patients, rather they just order the test. It needs to be a man's choice. A high reading doesn't mean the end of the world, it just means your prostate is enlarged. There really needs to be a better test and it sounds like there is going to be soon.

  • craig84609
    craig84609

    Posted

    It's a funny thing. I told my doctor NO to the PSA test and was fine with it and thought ok, they took it off my blood pannel no need for concern. I signed up with the clinic to get my medical records online so I don't have to wait for a call or a letter. As I was going through my past lab tests I found one in 2012 for PSA! Cripes! I told them NO, but four years ago they snuck it in without telling me about it. No wonder they wanted to repeat it as they are looking for a trend of any kind. I didn't hear about it because it was low. I was 43 at the time and my PSA was .33. Ok, I can live with that , but with all the issues I have been having It kinda makes me wonder and worry a bit as I believe it would be higher now. Not sure if I should be retested? A base line was established without my consent. I am not sure how I feel at this point. I am UPSET!

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