Dr. Merlin Sung Lee, MD

My daughter went to see Dr. Lee due to symptoms of extreme fatigue, dizziness and headaches. Dr. Lee was brusque and rude to her, asked her very few questions, and took basic blood tests that she could have had at her GP's office. Despite her iron levels being very low, Dr. Lee advised my daughter that she was fine. She went back to Dr. Lee to be tested for copper toxicity, a condition she was diagnosed with in 2014. Dr. Lee conducted one basic test for copper and then had someone from his office call my daughter to tell her that there was no problem with her copper. My daughter's health began to rapidly deteriorate and her GP conducted at least 30 more tests on her blood and urine. Her GP had the good sense to conduct a complete heavy metal blood panel just this past week and the tests showed severe copper toxicity. Because of Dr. Lee's lack of respect for my daughter she has gone undiagnosed, given countless tubes of blood and urine, and undergone an immense amount of anxiety… regarding her illness. She could have been recovering from the copper toxicity right now but instead she is much worse than when she first saw Dr. Lee. I am appalled that Dr. Lee conducted only the most basic copper level test, demonstrating dismissiveness and a complete disregard for her well being.

My letter to New Haven Health: I am writing to formally complain about the complete lack of respect and care my daughter, xxx, received from Dr. Merlin Lee. At the referral of her GP, xxx, xxx went to see Dr. Lee due to symptoms of extreme fatigue, dizziness and headaches. Dr. Lee was brusque and rude to her, asked her very few questions, and took basic blood tests that she could have had at her GP's office. Despite her iron levels being very low, Dr. Lee advised my daughter that she was fine. Upon reviewing the blood tests conducted by Dr. Lee, xxx had xxx go back to Dr. Lee to be tested for copper toxicity, a condition she was diagnosed with in 2014 by xxx. Dr. Lee conducted one basic test for copper and then had someone from his office call my daughter to tell her that there was no problem with her copper. My daughter's health began to rapidly deteriorate and her GP conducted at least 30 more tests on her blood and urine. xxx had the good sense to conduct a complete heavy metal… blood panel just this past week and Lucy's copper levels are 2,272. TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO. Because of Dr. Lee's lack of respect for both my daughter and xxx, my daughter has gone undiagnosed, given countless tubes of blood and urine, and undergone an immense amount of anxiety regarding her illness. She could have been recovering from the copper toxicity right now but instead she is much worse than when she first saw Dr. Lee. I am appalled that Dr. Lee conducted only the most basic copper level test after xxx requested the test and told him that xxx had a history of copper toxicity. Is Dr. Lee this dismissive of all his patients and colleagues? I urge you to check Dr. Lee's medical records and determine if he gave my daughter adequate care -- because he certainly did not give her good care. Were in not for Dr. Lee's total lack of interest in diagnosing xxx, she would not have been required to take countless blood tests afterwards. The pain and suffering that Dr. Lee has put my daughter through is inexcusable and I am determined for him to take accountability for his lack of care and total complacency, disregard and callousness regarding my daughter's health.

Adjusted his schedule to see me on short notice. Gave a thorough explanation of the test results and his recommendation.

Very intelligent doctor. Very caring.

Dr. Lee was a pleasure to deal with. He was incredibly informative and made everything very easy to understand. He spent as much time with us as we needed. He seemed genuinely interested in us as people and not just another 'patient'...I would 100% recommend him.

Dr. Lee is incredibly knowledgeable and thoroughly explained treatment options. In the end, he referred me to a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering that was designed specifically for my type of breast cancer. He knew immediately when he read my chart that I would be a good fit for the trial and put my health ahead of his own practice. He even kept in touch with me after referring me out of his office to follow up on my treatment. Amazing physician.

Outstanding physician