Dr Abbi Lulsegged graduated from Guys and St Thomas Hospitals in London with a degree in Medicine. He went on to complete his medical training at University College Hospital, London, the Royal Free and Guys St Thomas’ Hospitals. He is a Consultant Physician with specialist interest in Endocrinology and Diabetes. He works for Kings College Hospitals. He was appointed fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in recognition of his service to his field and medicine in general. He has also been awarded clinical excellent awards again for his contribution to the care of patients. He lectures both internationally and nationally on a wide range of subjects which reflects his broad interests. He has an interest in management of unexplained illnesses, obesity and reversing type 2 diabetes when conditions allow.
1) What is your current position?
I am a Doctor who has a broad range of interests but who also specialises in Endocrinology (disorders of hormones) and Diabetes. I work for Kings College Hospital at their Kent sites. I especially have an interest in treating obesity, reversing diabetes when the opportunity allows and treating (unexplained) fatigue.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Becoming a Father and a Doctor (in that order).
3) What inspires you?
Challenges. Unanswered questions relevant to my field/sphere of influence.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Lack of adequate resources. There are so many questions you ask yourself mentally when seeing patients. You think of possible mechanisms to explain certain problems but then realise that at times there has been so little time or resources to test the theories you have and implement the changes you think might make a difference.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
Mavericks (wise, balanced mavericks) who were not shy to identify problems with the perceived medical wisdom of the age and to challenge it publicly; often being the “lone voice”. Society owes these individuals a debt of gratitude.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Without doubt the greatest reward is seeing someone whose life has been transformed – not just because they are better but also because they are now able to play with their children, enjoy life and think more clearly. Secondly the variety of cases I see makes it very interesting particularly because the field I work in overlaps with many other disciplines.
7) And the worst?
Not knowing what is wrong with someone.
8) What are your long term goals?
I would like to see society positively impacted by the right health message – in particular the message of carbohydrate restriction and making healthy lifestyle changes that result in dramatic improvements to health while at the same time reducing medical cost. I think this is achievable and I would like to be able to do this in a way that impacts as many people as possible.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would start by implementing a tax on sugar and improving the labels on food to reflect in particular those components that can cause harm. Society on the whole eats far too much carbohydrates and arguably this fact alone might be responsible for a significant proportion of lifestyle induced problems crippling individuals and the health budget.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
My Wife (and she definitely is not historical). Why? She is my best friend (not to mention the only who consistently finds my jokes funny).
