The most important number you've never heard of 

Far too often, doctors downplay or outright deny known side effects, as a well-intentioned effort to gain patient compliance. Problem being that when Rx harm occurs, the patient is left to figure it out for themself, and they lose trust in the doctor who assured them that the Rx was going to be completely safe.

The problem with taking plain Vit D is the overproduction of calcium. Which is why Vit D needs to be taken with K2. K2 sends the calcium to the bones. I have calcium deposits on my aortic valve which I relate to Vit D being prescribed for 16 years without K2 supplementation.

Been an RN fir 36 yrs and just retired so burned out. So many medical errors under the radar. So many arrogant yet incompetent MDs. incompetent Dr

Thank you thank you for all your content! I wish you were my doctor. I’ve never had a doctor that cares 😢 it’s all about getting to the next patient and billing the insurance company

So if you’re a complex patient with a laundry list of unusual and/or exotic medical complications, you’re basically screwed?

There was one year near the end of his life that my father was hospitalized with severe nausea for four days because the side effects of all his many drugs suddenly ganged up on him and really brought him down.

NNT = number needed to treat. How many people get treated for one to gain benefit? NNH = number needed to harm

This is a fantastic share - never heard of NNT. Thank you for informing on something so important.

I'm a retired RN of 35+ years and have never heard of or been taught this. Great info and good to know. Thanks for sharing 🙏

I knew about NNT and NNH but have yet to find a doctor who has heard of them. Amazing.

Thanks Dr. Kaveh for all your extra work you put in.

The opposite happened to me. I was on the step down unit after one of many surgeries. I had a long surgery and had some resp concerns after the surgery. I had a pain pump but my arm was swelling in my cast so I tried to ask for another ice bag. The nurse came in and before I could finish my sentence, he yelled at me & said of course I would have pain, I just had surgery and stormed out of the room. I heard an intense conversation at the nursing desk and he came marching back in with a syringe. He put it in my IV and pushed my pain pump. I tried again to ask for the ice but he stormed out. I barely woke up about 4 hrs later totally drenched in sweat with oxygen on and the nurse was staring at my vitals. There were also a few outside my room just staring at me and I passed back out. I woke up again and heard them frantically talking about what to do. The nurse had called up a Dr from the ER who said I needed Narcan now but told the nurse that he was "never on that floor". The nurse came in with another syringe and I went back to sleep. They closed my door when the Hosp Dr made rounds and I heard what the nurse had done, gave me another pain med besides the pain pump. I heard the Dr hollering at the nurse for "going off protocol". The Dr came in and was so nice to me. I could have died and I never got my ice bag!!! That was only one of several instances I had happened during that stay alone that could have killed or harmed me. I have had over 35 surgeries due to my autoimmune conditions, I could write a book on what all has happened to me. I even had my bifurcated medial nerve cut and the Dr fixed it by connecting the wrong nerve and left the other side just dangling. After many nerve and tendon repair so I could move my thumb again, the nerves never took. I have no feeling in most of my hand. It's difficult to advocate for yourself when the staff won't listen to you.

Follow the money! Always! I am not subject to the placebo effect. If I were, then Midol would have worked on my menstrual cramps when I was in high school back in the 1960s! It did nothing, zero, zilch for me. I might as well have just drank some water or eaten some sugar! As far as side effects are concerned, I see those long lists on some drugs, and I think, "Nevermind. I'd just stick with the original problem!"

Was on opiods for years for arthritis, my doc wanted me to use gabapentin off label for nerve pain. Did nothing for pain and the drug made me so stupid, I had to count pills and notate when I took. Ended up with so many errors was going to be disciplined at work, they werent happy it takes time to taper off, thankfully my workers union stood up for me. They then wanted to discipline for opiod use, but had taken before got the job and had great and low error rate til gabapentin use. Still on opiods, but use a lot of different strategies to keep intervals longer. Also got new doctor who is top notch.

I can't believe I have lived my life for over 50 years and have never heard of these numbers. Every doctor should know and discuss these with every prescription and procedure decision that they make with a patient.

Wish I had known about this. Not sure if it would have helped. I've been asking my eye doctors for years to fix my amblyopia. Went in a year and a half ago with the same question. The doctor said I had cataracts and needed surgery. I asked him if that would fix my one eye with amblyopia. He said yes. I told him after the surgery on my last post op that it wasn't helping. He said that the surgery wouldn't have helped. That's WHY I got the surgery in the first place! And now at 62, they said (an expert) they couldn't help me at my age! 🤬 If I had known that I would not have had the surgery. I can't drive anymore. I have to wear reading glasses. But I am supposed to have 20 20 vision. I don't. I can't even read for very long, because my eye moves different directions. I don't trust Doctors anyway and this just increased my distrust by 100%!

Oh wow, I have never heard of this!! I had a hip replacement at the end of July and communicated with my anesthesiologist things I've heard here. I had a very successful outcome. RA, osteopenia, and high risk of infection due to immune suppression.

I myself am an American trained physician. I have never heard of NNT. Wow! I'm going to research this topic. Your show is great!

17:52 yes..... my insurance company makes more decisions than my Drs!!!!

“The Organized Min” by Daniel Levitin has a section on NNT and NNH but also explains hows statistics in medicine work (another weak area for most doctors) and the best part is that he provides a way for you to more objectively judge what is the best choice for you (and the objectivity includes subjective aspects). Brilliant, and rather handy if you’ve just been diagnosed with something dreadful and can’t think clearly.

There should be a table of NNH and NNT for all medications.

I wish more doctors told their patients about side effects of dexamethasone (a steroid to reduce swelling). What they don't tell you is that it messes with your blood sugar level, pushing it up into the zone of type II diabetes even if you are careful.

Wow. I well have to listen to this again. This is very confusing. I must have missed the meaning of this. I need to listen to this again and let it sink in. No doctor has ever talked about those numbers. Love how you explain everything out. I am still trying to recoup from NY Bell's Palsy since Dec.2023. Since surg l had in July which l was at Thst month 98% healed from Bells Palsy but then anesthesia from the surgery after 2 weeks of resting made the entire R side if my face droop again like my bells Palsy just started again. Well after 2 and then 3rd day l saw the paralysis started to reverse. So l know l am back on track healing once again from myBells Palsey. So stressful. Could not open my mouth wide enough to eat a burger. Can't swish water in my mouth after brushing my teeth. Well now there is a little swishing l can do. So a matter of times.So practicing stretching my mouth out. R eye waters up daily so l take that as it is healing.❤

Doctors aren't even taught in medical school about medications and their side effects 😢 Most doctors get angry whenever you ask questions or let them know about different studies/holistic alternatives. Guessing that they don't like people who actually do the Research. Old school doctors resent informed patients. More doctors do harm than good.

I love your videos. I've been a chronic pain patient for over 30 years now due to a number of chronic autoimmune conditions and I can't get the medical treatments or reasons for why I'm suffering way more during the last 7 months here in Florida. I'm in desperate need of help but no one listens to me. I need to do whatever it takes to get heard so I can have some quality of life, I've suffered way to long.😢

Hi Dr. I'm having surgery this September 27th at el camino los gatos hospital i sure with youd show up and be my anesthesiologist I would be so worried what the out come would be. I know you have a loving and kind heart and you do everything TO SAVE ME if I were to flat line. And I know you'd be watching over me with love and true caring if I don't flat line. Your a great man a great dr and I hope God bless you every day of your life

The fatty acids found in artery clogs are mostly UNSATURATED (74%), of which 41% are POLYUNSATURATED. (Lancet 1994 344:1195) I would say clogged arteries are the primary reason for H/D and H/BP Which they ignore.

Number needed to treat NNT-lower the better-NNH-number needed to harm-higher the better

Dr. K , this is excellent information. You are a breath of fresh air.

All: hit the "Like" button -- Doctor Kaveh probably took half an hour out of his lunch, or half an hour after work, to help us: because he genuinely cares about people. Doctor, your channel is vitally important. Most of the doctors on YT don't do the Q&As you do. Nor are they discussing the topics you are.

I have never heard of these two numbers. Thank you for this information.

Dr. Car they have never heard of NNT or NNH . I’ve had many interventions medically, and I’ve never heard any of these. Thank you as always. God Bless. 🤗🤗🤗🤗 to Karma, Emoji and Manman. Sooty I forgot his name but you know who I’m talking about! 😂😂🤗🥰🦋❤️

I have been having health issues since 2018. I’ve been told it was mental health and prescribed all kinds of different meds that didn’t work for anxiety and depression. I was like, depression and anxiety don’t make your hair fall out and consistent heart palpitations and tremors in my hands. I broke up with my Dr when she told me I needed ANOTHER therapist. I don’t feel good and something is wrong! I told her I needed a Dr who was going to listen to me and help me. After 2 other doctors, and about $4000 in tests, I finally was diagnosed with Graves’ disease a few weeks ago. The side effects of the meds, added to the symptoms I already have, are miserable to the point I almost passed out the third day. But they want me on them. I haven’t hardly slept since starting the meds. I’m at my wits end. I started seeing a naturopath a few weeks ago and am feeling a tiny bit of hope for the first time in years. Hoping she can finally help me.

I have never heard of NNT and I read a lot about all kinds of subjects. Good to know.

I had a small stroke in 2019, only left me with a little tinglying & numbness in fingers right hand, cheek and right side tongue numbness, some loss taste right side tongue. BP was high during event, saw primary wanted me do BP meds, talked to him, agreed to do BP checks, come in download machine, turns out if took BP meds likely wouldve bottomed out, in my 70's (yrs). Had hip replacementin 2020 w/epidural and sedation, up that day, discharged home next day, followed by home health 3 weeks, able to drive after that, went to outpatient PT and doing good. (Left hip, car automatic) BP fine, just high normal. Btw my mom had been on 2 BP meds, type 1 diabetic, new kidney doc said better for octo/nonogenarians to have BP a little high to insure blood getting to brain, so there's that too. Ended up taking her off one med, then halving the other, she did better. I'm currently 78yr. Mom died of heart attack at 92, no surgeries, no amputations tho went thru a "brittle" period in her 70's. Somehow she was convinced eating chips while standing at cabinet didnt count. She got switched to long acting humalog, and I lived with her, controlling diet, made lots of soups & stew, depending on reading, ate one or other. Also breakfast was always oatmeal with dollop of peanut butter and big scoop cinnamon. Cinnamon generally lowered blood sugar so she got stew at lunch, maybe a little ice cream or chips. Diet control much easier to do, especially if someone else cooking. Hehe. I was happy to manage for her and she was sharp as a tack mentally right to the end.

I think most of the problems with us, the patients, not being told things is because the MDs themselves don't know these things....having never been taught them in med school because they get like 45 minutes of nutrition in med school !!! : /

I appreciate your honesty.

I’m a nurse and have never heard of this. Very good info. Thank you

Thank you so much for the information on this...

This was extremely informative. My only complaint was when you responded to commenters. That really interrupted the informational flow causing the need to replay portions of the video in order to fully grasp the concept. That being said I appreciate this information. It gives me knowledge enabling me to ask more pertinent questions of my doctor.

Never heard of these numbers. I know my mother had 2 joint replacements in less than 7 weeks from different falls and she went into demenia immediately. She was in her 70's. Should we be aware of the drugs. Should we as her children now in our 70's be aware of the drugs she hadbeen given. Thanks for information.

Good stuff I learned about the ALT yesterday; I have never heard of NNT or NNH.

I am just watching this video now. I guessed NNT before you even said it! I know a lot of medical stuff bc it interests me, but also from ailments that family members had. I did not know about NNH. Interesting, makes sense. By the way, the NNT I've known about for at least 10 years. Thanks for your RU-vid videos. You are so kind and I always learn something. 👍

Thank you so much for this information I really enjoy watching your videos ❤

I love and joy your videos, content, session T' and interactions. Thank you ❤

Thank you so much.. I try to talk to my doctors about it but they find me not compliant to ask such things…

Dr. Kaveh you such a gift to us! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience! ❤

I never heard of the NNT and didn’t know that was anything that I should inquire about that that I’ve had that many surgeries at age 77, thankfully

Hi. I love the information you give.

Bruh. Im gonna need the NNT to be 1-3 and NNH to be like a million. But ive never heard of either. Thank you so much for sharing!

I have never heard of this. Thank you.

Thank you Dr for all tour posts. I wish you could be my Anesthesiologist and Ketamine therapy but I'm in Texas!

Hey Thanx.... Cuz of your videos, I told my pain management Dr I accidentally took my aspirin before a procedure....he didn't do it and thanked me for being honest.... So, thank you.....i didn't bleed into my spinal column and I'm not going to now.....i hope.... getting it done this Thursday instead.... nerve blocking shots in my neck.... can't wait to get my Left hand back again... again.... I didn't think I'd have a cardiac arrest at 39 either...... And I just stopped ssris after 25 years.... just taking half as much Cymbalta as before.... Very overwhelming.... but cool.... especially since the cardiac arrest and the coma and the past year.....WOW.... BUT.... I'm still here... THANX ❤❤❤ I have this membership free for a month.... I'll be here....

Love your videos!! Thank you so very much!!!❤

Interesting to hear your thoughts on broken hips. My hips are still in satisfactory condition, but anticipating that this will not last forever, I am doing some preventative medicine in early 2025 and getting a new bathroom installed, one which will not involve stepping into a bath to have a shower! This is going to avoid a lot of physical pain, potentially. Thank you for the video!

I broke my right hip a few weeks before my 60th birthday severed my leg and damaged my nerves in my right foot. Then less than two weeks had major back surgery. I am a Rubella baby so I have had many medical issues and surgeries. Need a full hip replacement possibly reattachment of my muscles to my right hip. Waiting til next year. Having colon surgery 9/14/24. I am only allowing one surgery six months. Last fall wore me out for half a year.

Wow never heard of these numbers!!!!!! Thank you

I had emergency brain surgery after a bad seizure and the doctor said I only had 10% chance of making it and doctor wanted to know if my husband wanted to continue with the surgery and he said yes and I made it through but had a massive stroke, but I'm good just some balance issues and memory issues, but I'm here and getting better. Non cancerous tumor

I have not ever heard of this number.

I tell the clinician to talk out loud about what they thinking. Your talks are very educational Thank you

Your a good doctor your teaching me a lot !

Ohhh! So this is how numbers and results and how science gets skewed and misunderstood . Wow. Thank u so much for this discussion.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!! I wish you would write a book!!❤

You and Peter Santenello should collaborate again.

Never heard this before. I was Clinical Medical Assistant. Must be TOP SECRET NUMBER. THANK-YOU! ❤

👍 GREAT INFO!!!

I wish that I had known to ask for these numbers. I have MS and was prescribed a medication that cause my legs to collapse, causing a major ankle break and surgery. It happened again with covid vaccines. What really hurts is that two doctors acted like I was making it all up. Thankfully, I now have a doctor . totally agrees that I had reactions to these medications. He is an excellent, caring physician, just like you.

Seems like I was part of the NNH. I’ve been going to the same PC for years & never heard of this. I never got better either. Thank you so much for sharing this!

Hello Dr. Kaveh Thank you for sharing❣️ You’re so awesome by sharing your wealth of knowledge. I appreciate all you do. Sincerely, Suzann 😊

Thank You for making the video!

I was told by Barbara O'Neill the bones are not made of calcium they are made of minerals!!

I now get Botox for my migraines and use Ubrelvy for breakthrough migraines, but before this I was constantly in the ER for my 14 to 21 day migraines. When I would go to the ER I was very very explicit that I wasn't looking for narcotics to treat the migraine but wanted a ton of anti nausea meds (at least two) along with the medication dehydrogatamine. The DHE made me very nauseous but was about the only thing that would get rid of the migraine and not give me a rebound migraine. My insurance would get mad at me for going to the ER but you can't get DHE at an urgent care.

When I had epilepsy surgery, the NNT was quite high. My providers had to wait until the seizures became intractable to the point of possible status epilepticus. When we reached that point, I had the surgeries and got cured! My positive result dropped the NNT just a little bit.

Nifedipine almost ended my life

Thank you so much for the information as now I can make better decisions

I try to research as much as possible before any treatment or meds.

One of the best informational videos you have ever done. All of your videos are good tho.❤

Thanks for the education!

I love your content. Thank you!!

The Doctor is thinking about the Parma-sponsored trip to Maui. (A bit of a lighthearted thought) - Not disrespectful. As a PTSD patient (due to anesthesia) I really APPRECIATE your channel and info.

A lot of mds prescribe by putting everyone in the same circumstances. We are NOT all the same. Same circumstances but different results. My body has alway been unique and does not act the same. It is so hard and I end up feeling like I am crazy. Makes me angry…. This conversation has been enlightening to say the least!

This information was very interesting! I just hope my new Dr “listens” when a patient asks questions! 😊

Hi Doctor K. I've never hear of this. Thanks for informing us.

I have an appoient tomorrow and for the longest time ive been trying to switch my anti depressants and anti anxiety meds. SSRIs and sleeping meds havent worked. Ive been on countless meds that have caused me more problems than they solved. I want to switch them all out. Simply so i can get a clonazapam to sleep and to stop my panic attacks and slips into hardcore depression. I know it works for me, ive had it before. And i know it would save me fro. Taking 5 different meds 2-3 times a day. Now i have some info to use to my advantage.. youre vdeos are so useful

Tardive dyskinesia sux too

I've never heard this before. Thank you! I wish you were my doctor. (You kind of are) Where do I find those numbers? Where does my doctor get those numbers!

I heard of NNT & NNH ……BUT MISSED YOUR LIVE

Thank You for all your information

Great advice 🙏

My father had severe dementia. He had a fall that resulted in a femoral neck fracture. Prior to this, he was ambulatory and continent. After the fx and one month of rehab, he came home unable to walk by himself, was pretty much bed-bound, and was incontinent. He died 2.5 months later.

Thank you Doc!

Excellent advice! However, I think the NNH is fat more difficult to determine, simply because the concept of 'harm' is so imprecise. It could be related to something as simple as mild nausea, or to severe symtoms such as blood changes or alterations in levels of consciousness, hence sub-grouping of AEs as mild, moderate, or severe in clinical papers.

Was given Faslodex Injections for cancer treatments. Having psoriasis basically a bit on my elbows but these injections didn't bother me at first but after about a year they triggered my psoriasis to an extreme. One of the most disruptive experiences to the point of not being able to sleep because of itching and extreme redness and flaking all over most parts of my body. I took myself off this drug even tho' my doctor didn't believe this was the cause of my psoriasis problem and it took me over 4 months to have my skin get back to normalcy. Yes, it is a trust issue for sure because now I'm very aware of other drugs prescribed.

I had a horrible rash for months. We had tried everything including looking at my meds. Approximately a year into the rash, I ran out of Crestor on my vacation. My rash disappeared. Once home, I got the Crestor refilled, and after 2 days of taking it, the rash had reappeared. My Dr and I learnt in less than 1% of users of Crestor, urticaria aka as rash gets a rash.

Literally just needed salt and fludrocrtisone but for ten years doctors told me I was depressed and/or anxious. I have had post viral dysautonomia for 30 years. SSRIs are what they pushed on me instead. The last three years I told them my high BP was from POTS and they told me they've never heard of it. Full credit,when my pain doctor saw a paper about POTS and dysautonomia he did change his mind and refer me out, now I am treated. I am pretty sure they thought I was hiding drug use before that. FFS we were literally talking about the same thing, too. Just my doctors thought somatization was "all in your head." And it is not. It is also in your nervous system and fascia.

Excellent information!

This is so interesting! I have never heard of this. I looked up Buspirone and it is 100/11 😢

I really need a dr like you😊

I have been taking PPIs for many years. I believe I have SIBO because of them.

I bet VERY FEW md’s even know what this means or how to interpret it!!!! And that’s what they will say…it depends 😂😂