This review is for Dr. Prasad Katta:.
I visited this doctor only once. I had borderline GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus) during my pregnancy. I enrolled in the 'sweet success' program at Washington Hospital. They gave me a glucometer to monitor my daily blood sugar and told me that if my sugar is out of range even 2 or 3 times in a week, I will be sent to an MD endocrinologist (diabetes specialist) for further investigation and treatment. There are only two Diabetes specialists in Fremont and Dr. Katta is one of them.
In any case, my blood sugar went above range three times within the given time and Sweet Success sent me to Dr. Katta. Haha..what a joke! (as explained below).
The front desk staff was very professional and nice. The wait was longer than I expected but not too bad--therefore, 3 stars. A-ok.
Now a bit about the Dr. himself--
Dr. Katta is quite a character and very hard to communicate with. As soon as he entered the room, he started lecturing me about my blood sugar being out of range and how that will make my unborn child become "huge" (11 pounds or so). I told him that there were couple of things going on--
1. the glucometer did not show consistent readings and may have huge errors and 2. my sugar also has a tendency to go really "low"..(at sweet success, when they randomly checked it, it had gone as low as 62 units (very low for healthy pregnancy)). Also my Hemoglobin A1c Test was completely within range, indicating I am not diabetic.
Anyway, the Dr. was not in the mood to listen and continued lecturing me as if I was a 6 year old cjild who is clueless about "blood sugar" (Sorry Doc. but I have taken extensive biochemistry during my Ph.D. and I have even given lectures at UMDNJ, which is where you did your MD from). Anyway, he insists that I need daily insulin shots. I am like huh? With my sugar levels going dangerously low? I told him that I will come back in a weeks time as I was not prepared to risk my pregnancy.
Part II: I went to my PCP after I saw Dr Katta. I told my PCP what Dr. Katta suggested and my PCP was surprised. He was not too happy that sweet-success sent me directly to Dr. Katta without involving him. My PCP has been my doctor for the last 11 years or since we moved to California. He asked me to change my Glucometer and get a different brand that he usually recommends to his patients. He also asked me to make small changes to my diet and walk for 12 to 15 minutes after every meal (no more than three times a day). He asked me to stop the 45 minute long walks and instead take three short walks around the block every day. Guess what?
My blood sugar was totally within the range after that, in fact on the lower side. Later Sweet success admitted that their glucometer was faulty and showed erratic readings. I then followed the directions given by my PCP and OB and had a healthy pregnancy.My child was born healthy, slightly "lower" in birth weight though (not 11 pounds haha).
However, at birth his blood sugar was normal (not low) indication that my sugar levels were normal too.
Anyway, I almost forgot about this visit to Dr. Katta, but recently I was reminded (from my Ob's communication and previous notes) about this very short and single visit. Most amusing part was that Dr. Katta called my Ob's office and started insisting (almost childishly arguing) that I should be given insulin. I was right there listening to the conversation. My Ob quietly told him that she can only advice but not force her patient, unless there is a life-threatening situation. She also mentioned that she will investigate further and send me to another doctor if she thinks I need insulin. My Ob and PCP are both wonderful doctors and not once did they criticize Dr. Katta, but at the same time reassured me that I am the one who makes my health decisions. read more