Clewans Carol MD

Dr. Carol Clewans thought my high A1C results were incompatible with my stated symptoms of hypoglycemic reactions until she saw my glucose tolerance tests which indicated a low blood sugar after 2 and 3 hours. The A1C is an average measurement of glucose over the last 3 months and does not indicate that there cannot be sugar lows after meals as she seemed to have thought. She indicated that my symptoms must have been in my head and never allowed me to calmly present my concerns. I believe a doctor needs to allow the patient to describe what he/​she has experienced and not invalidate what is presented. If the host of symptoms cannot be immediately classified into a category that the doctor easily understands it is OK to say that she does not know; there is no need to dismiss the patient. I have never experienced the same unkind treatment from any doctor in any specialty.

She’s great. I can set up appointments online and ask questions online. I always get responses, even if I ask a million questions.

My experience with Dr Clewans was miserable. She had the cheek to berate me for planning a 2^nd baby at the age of 40! Seriously woman — it’s not like I am not aware of the repercussions of my decision but to be judged, and by no less than a medical (un)professional was a bit much! Further, I don’t know about the person who says she is very ‘holistic’ in her approach. She refused to even entertain my questions about alternate therapy for thyroid condition. I wanted to discuss pretty harmless stuff like diet, exercise and yoga — all of which are touted for at least keeping thyroid issues in check, if not eliminate, but I found her shutting me down to be very narrow minded and oblivious to the reality of health issues and how to control them beyond popping pills!!! WORST OF ALL — when Levoxyl was pulled off the shelf, she switched me to generic. I told her that generics hadn’t controlled my thyroid issue from past usage and my previous endocrinologist had made a note in my charts to that effect. She touted research that apparently showed ‘no significant difference’ between branded and generics and refused to switch my prescription. For 2 months I suffered horrible symptoms before she finally acknowledged that perhaps I need the branded medicine after all! I don’t understand doctors who practice so-​called-​medicine to save insurance money rather than worry about the welfare of their patient and overriding previous doctors recommendation. I will make sure that none of my friends ever go anywhere close to this lady! She is literally a hazard to physical and emotional well-​being and needs some more lessons in medical ethics!
Never going back and definitely is my worst experience of the 4 endocrinologist I have seen over the past 10 yrs. I would never have gone to her in the 1^st place if my previous doctor hadn’t left the practice and PAMF should certainly look into her more closely and remove her if she’s treated other patients the way she treated me. If negative stars were possible, I would give her below a zero!

I saw Dr. Clewans last year at the suggestion of a friend who had been treated by her. She’s wonderful! She never seemed rushed, spoke with me at length and was very open-​minded about my questions about holistic medicine options. She was also incredibly astute in her observations. I was and am so impressed with her and will be seeking her out in the future if I have issues with my thyroid again.

My experience with Dr. Clewans was far from positive. I went to see her when I was looking for an endocrinologist to treat my hypothyroidism. Overall, I felt she did not listen to my feedback. Nor did she give any weight to my experience and personal history in managing my illness and its treatment. Patient interaction is definitely not Dr Clewans strength and I would not recommend her. PAMF has several other endocrinologists that are way more user friendly.

I agree with many aspects of the previous review.
I was treated by Dr Carol Clrewans for approximately 4 or 5 years.
Pros
–Dr Clewans was nice to me after a negative interaction I will describe below
–Dr Clewans would probably be a success in the research laboratory
–She tries to be be socially appropriate, and she probably means well
Cons
–She felt compelled to point out at every exam that my neck had fat, (non thyroid related), and she found this amusing
–In the first few months of working with Dr Clewans I didn’t feel comfortable with her in her and I went to a get a second opinion without terminating with Dr Clewans. Then I had a medical crisis and went in to see Dr Clewans. I was emotionally fragile and vulnerable due to the severity of my medial condition, but Dr Clewans spent 20 minutes berating me for seeing another doctor without telling her. She made me feel miserable in a time of crisis. If she wanted to have a calm and reasonable discussion once my symptoms subsided, I would have been open to it.
–Even though I made it clear that I was not interested in surgery or radiation, she would continue to ask me to take the next step.

Physician specialists on the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF Online) post a listing of their practice affiliation and their professional interests. Dr. Carol Clewans’ profile states the following:
Diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis and menopause related issues.
As my health insurance permits self referrals and as I am informed good health practice suggests that women over the age of 55 review their hormone replacement therapy régime with an endocrinologist, I made an appointment with Dr, Clewans. I am transgendered woman fully transitioned for over twenty years.
This was mistake. Notwithstanding her profile Dr. Clewans was both insulting and insensitive. After castigating me for being late, notwithstanding having sat in the waiting room, I requested her assistance regarding proper HRT dosages. She immediately said that she didn’t treat people like me and that I should find someone in the GLBT community to assist me. She also mentioned that I was overweight, but ignored that condition and other metabolic issues I cared to discuss.
Sensing her disdain, I attempted to leave when she continued the discussion — if only to earn her fee for the session. We talked about getting off HRT without concern as to whether it was appropriate. If I wanted to proceed on this path, she did invite a call back to her office. That will be highly unlikely.
Dr. Clewans mentioned that she had spent much of her career in research with lab mice. In my opinion, her remarkable insensitivity and lack of caring is a throw-​back to a by-​gone era where physicians act as minor deities. Based on my visit, clinical practice is not Dr. Clewans strong suit, but if your mice have metabolic issues, she would be the first doctor I would consider.
And yes, Dr. Clewans did bill for the sage advice she rendered. Perhaps if you present with a non-​gender variant history, she will be more receptive to working with you. Otherwise, my opinion is that other physicians ought to be consulted.