Dr. Douglas M. Levin

Gastroenterologist | Gastroenterology

5/5(23)

410 W 10th Ave Columbus OH, 43210 Show map

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5/5

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About

My practice is internal medicine with a focus in gastroenterology, liver disease, hepatitis and especially fatty liver disease. I graduated with a degree in medicine almost 50 years ago. I am still ve ...

Education and Training

NYU Grossman School of Medicine medical degree 1969

Board Certification

American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)

Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal MedicineABIM

Provider Details

MaleEnglish

Dr. Douglas M. Levin

Dr. Douglas M. Levin's Expert Contributions

My Answers

I desperately need help?
I am sorry to hear about your difficulties. Odds are that “lump” is unrelated to your symptoms. It is likely a xyphoid, the process that is cartilage that calcifies as we get older and is slightly tender to touch but not painful otherwise. Pain burning or not going straight through to the back is usually due to pancreatic or biliary disease. The pancreas makes enzymes to digest your food and the liver makes bile which aids digestion as well. The pipes leading from the liver and pancreas join as they enter the intestine which is in the back of your abdomen. You need to see a gastroenterologist. Call around to find a clinic that serves indigent patients. For instance, I volunteer at a free clinic, and before I retired I worked at a University hospital that had financial support for indigent care. Good luck! READ MORE
What is the strongest medicine for heartburn?
The strongest medicine (most effective at suppressing acid production) is Prilosec. For heartburn, at night only Pepcid is best. The new medication for the infection h. Pylori is stronger than Prilosec but is not available without antibiotics in the formulation. READ MORE
Where are the acupuncture points for acid reflux?
Acupuncture is very unlikely to help reflux. Scientific studies show that the nerves stimulated by acupuncture necessary for this to work are in the back and extremities but not in the abdomen or front of the chest. READ MORE
Problem with defecating?
That is an interesting question. Your body should send you a signal with a sense of mild discomfort and pressure in the pelvic area. If you lack that signal you can alter your schedule to enhance that signal. In general, the most physiological time is in the morning after breakfast. If you get up late, skip breakfast, and eat in the car you likely will not have the signal or the opportunity to defecate. Get up early enough to eat a high fiber diet (for instance, I have Familia with walnuts and berries added followed by 2 mugs of hot coffee) and have enough time to wait a few minutes for the signal, defecate, and then shower and dress for work or the rest of your day. If you tend to go infrequently taking Miralax twice daily may help. Once your body gets in this rhythm you might try tapering off the Miralax. READ MORE
What causes heartburn after gastric bypass surgery?
Heartburn after roux en y gastric surgery is unusual since the acid-producing cells in the stomach lining are distal to the site where the food is re-routed. Do you have burning in your chest or mouth or are you calling discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen heartburn? If it is pain in the upper abdomen it could come from food stretching the small stomach pouch in the upper abdomen which is connected to the esophagus naturally. Smaller meals could diminish that type of discomfort. READ MORE
How often should you have a colonoscopy if polyps are found?
The timing of the next colonoscopy depends on the size, number, and characteristics of the polyps removed. Small left-sided hyperplastic polyps do not need to follow up all things considered so 10 years, as usual, is fine. Small tubular adenomata if solitary and if a negative family history of colon cancer probably can wait for 5 to 10 years ( why such a wide interval.? Data not totally clear) large tubular adenomata, all villous adenomata, and all serrated adenomata require to follow up in 1 to 3 years. Your gastroenterologist and you should discuss you're follow-up based on your personal and family history and your particular polyps including their location, right-sided polyps being a greater threat. READ MORE
What is the best diet for gastritis?
How do you know you have gastritis? Do you have an infection with helicobacter pylori? Do you have bile reflux gastritis from a backup of intestinal fluids into the stomach?? You have to know the cause before you can treat it. For now, you can avoid all alcohol, spicy food especially foods with capes in (from things like Chile peppers or hot sources), and coffee. READ MORE
How long does gallbladder pain last after surgery?
It is normal to have pain at the surgical site for many days. If it worsens with eating or radiates to the back tell your surgeon. A small percentage of people who have the gall bladder removed may have a gall stone stuck in the common duct. The tube that goes from the liver to the intestine through which the bile must flow. Blocking the flow, especially after meals causes pain. READ MORE
Undigested vitamins stored in gut?
That is a good question. The capsule should have broken down anywhere in the digestive tract. Likely the vitamin capsule was not capable of being dissolved or releasing the vitamins. You may have pouches off the small or large bowel where this immortal capsule was lodged for a long time. READ MORE
Blood in poop?
The red you see pigment from the beet root. Stop the beet root for a few days to confirm that the red color disappears. If so, you can take it if you wish. READ MORE
Should rectal polyps be removed?
Rectal polyps should be removed and analyzed by pathology to categorize them to see if they are pre-cancerous. If they are precancerous a colonoscopy should be done to assess the rest of the colon for polyps. READ MORE
Stomach problems?
You need to see a gastroenterologist and a primary care physician promptly. You could have one problem causing all your symptoms or more than one problem causing the problem collectively. READ MORE
Not going to the loo?
You should see a neurologist promptly to see if your fall resulted in brain or spine damage that causes numbness and blocked the neurological coordination necessary for defecation. READ MORE
Low anion gap?
An anion gap of 9 is normal ( normal range 5 to 10) The anion gap does not reflect a problem and does not explain your symptoms. Good luck! READ MORE
Issue passing stool?
You may have been constipated resulting in thin or pebble-like stool which traumatized your hemorrhoids making them bleed. Try eating bran cereal daily and take Metamucil 3 times daily. If that does not give you prompt relief within a week see a gastroenterologist promptly. READ MORE
Stomach pain?
You have not given me much pertinent information. You should seek immediate care from your doctor or urgent care or emergency room! READ MORE
Rectum issues?
You should have it checked out. It is a result of a viral infection or a clot in the blood vessel in the surface tissue. It might require therapy. READ MORE
Lower abdominal pain?
Your appendix is over there, but if this pain occurs after a bowel movement it could be bowel contraction, abdominal wall pain, a hernia, or even upper leg pain from muscles contracting when you push to expel the stool can be the cause. How long have you been having these pains? Any fever? Any blood in the stool? Have you ever had a colonoscopy? If it persists, see your doctor. READ MORE
Is this a hernia?
I am not a pediatrician but my guess is that you are correct. Please ask your pediatrician to evaluate. If you do not have a pediatrician please find one for her. READ MORE
Smelly stool?
The only issue is the black spots in the stool. The black stool which looks like tar may be evidence of bleeding. Little black spots rarely mean bleeding. A stool test for blood would be useful which your doctor can order. If negative the odor is likely normal which can be secondary to certain foods often sulfur-containing cruciferous foods or a change in the microbiome the microbes living in the digestive tract which may change from diet or medicine change. READ MORE

Expert Publications

Data provided by the National Library of Medicine

Celiac disease.

Areas of expertise and specialization

transplant hepatologytransplant hepatologyupper gastrointestinal endoscopycolonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy

Awards

Honoree, Distinguished Worldwide Humanitarian Award 2020
Recipient, Ohio State University, Department of Pathology Teaching Award 2019
Recipient, Teaching Award, Gastrointestinal Fellows 2019
Recipient, Teacher of the Year Award, Ohio State University (2015-2016) Year
Recipient, Medical Student Teaching Award, Ohio State University 2010
Featured Listee, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Marquis Who’s Who (1997-1998) Year
Recipient, Alpha Omega Alpha Prize, one of the top three academic performance 1969
Recipient, Medical School Citizenship Award 1969
Scholar, New York University YU Scholar 1967

Professional Memberships

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
American Association Study of Liver Disease

Fellowships

University of Chicago Gastroenterology 1976

Dr. Douglas M. Levin's Practice location

Practice At 410 W 10th Ave

410 W 10th Ave -
Columbus, OH 43210

Get Direction

New patients: 614-292-2092, 614-293-6255

Fax: 614-293-8518, 614-292-7072

http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

543 Taylor Ave -
Columbus, OH 43203

Get Direction

New patients: 614-293-8000

Dr. Douglas M. Levin's reviews

(23)

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Patient Experience with Dr. Levin

5.0

Based on 23 reviews

Dr. Douglas M. Levin has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars based on the reviews from 23 patients. FindaTopDoc has aggregated the experiences from real patients to help give you more insights and information on how to choose the best Gastroenterologist in your area. These reviews do not reflect a providers level of clinical care, but are a compilation of quality indicators such as bedside manner, wait time, staff friendliness, ease of appointment, and knowledge of conditions and treatments.

Media Releases

Get to know Gastroenterologist Dr. Douglas Levin, who served patients in Columbus, Ohio.

A seasoned gastroenterologist, Dr. Levin is retired from practice. During his active years on the job, he worked within the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Specializing in transplant hepatology, he has expertise in performing procedures such as esophageal dilatation, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, among others.

Ohio State’s Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition is dedicated to developing better treatments through research to benefit patients. Patients with liver disease have access to the latest therapies and active clinical trials. The division works collaboratively with all specialties to provide multidisciplinary care. As an academic medical institution, it is always committed to patient care, medical education, and translational research.

Regarding his educational background, Dr. Levin graduated with his medical degree from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine in 1969. He then went on to complete his internship and residency in internal medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital in 1971, followed by his fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Chicago in 1976.

Licensed to practice medicine in Ohio, the doctor is board-certified in gastroenterology, transplant hepatology, and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

An authority in his field, Dr. Levin is a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology, a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association, a Fellow of the American Medical Association, and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He is also a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the American Association Study of Liver Disease.

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. A gastroenterologist is a physician who has extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders related to the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, colon, liver, pancreas, and biliary system.

Among Dr. Levin’s most notable achievements include: Honoree, Distinguished Worldwide Humanitarian Award (2020); Recipient, Ohio State University, Department of Pathology Teaching Award (2019); Recipient, Teaching Award, Gastrointestinal Fellows (2019); Recipient, Teacher of the Year Award, Ohio State University (2015-2016); Recipient, Medical Student Teaching Award, Ohio State University (2010); Featured Listee, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Marquis Who’s Who (1997-1998); Recipient, Alpha Omega Alpha Prize, one of the top three academic performance (1969); Recipient, Medical School Citizenship Award (1969); and Scholar, New York University YU Scholar (1967).

Still very passionate and dedicated to helping fellow human beings with their health problems, Dr. Levin enjoys finding ways to contribute to patient care, teaching and research missions – both as a senior citizen and physician.

In his spare time, he enjoys reading, relaxing with his family, traveling, and lap swimming.