No idea where these 5 star reviews come from. My experience with Dr. Lodewick constitutes the worst medical care I have ever had. I went to his office for help with food allergies and it was pure chaos from start to finish. If you are a woman advocating for your own health, you need to listen to me when I tell you to look elsewhere for your allergist. Ask your insurance to assign you to a different medical group if that's what it takes, because this doctor will not help you. I mean that. I came to the office due to sudden-onset food allergies that had resulted in 2 episodes of anaphylactic shock and nearly dying at age 34 from shellfish and hibiscus ingestion. I needed real guidance and to learn if I had any other dangerous allergies I didn't know about. From the start, the experience here was difficult. It was a 5 month wait for an appointment - they then 'lost' my booking, and I had to wait 2 additional weeks to see the doctor. Dr. Lodewick speaks about 1,000 words per minute and is always itching to ditch the room and go onto the next patient. I think our visit probably lasted around ten minutes and I felt highly pressured to "wrap up" so he could leave. This was so different from my past allergist, who I'd met with after my first allergic response. She had reserved a full hour for my appointment and actively encouraged me to ask questions and learn from her, and called me to follow-up. She took time to explain things to me and I left her office feeling confident and informed. Conversely, I left Dr. Lodewick's office feeling scared, overwhelmed and confused. The major red flag of our visit comes next. Dr. Lodewick claimed he had access to 2-year-old blood tests I had never sent over to his office or authorized for release. He did not show them to me. He also could not explain to me how he had them when I asked, and instead vaguely muttered, 'yes, yes, they're your tests from Kaiser, the nurse and I looked at them together.' I now theorize that he made a dangerous administrative error and thought someone else's tests were mine. He claimed these past tests showed no evidence of food allergies, but that's impossible. My old blood tests indicate crystal-clear food allergies. My former allergist (a board-certified Kaiser allergist in Oakland) had walked me through them carefully so I could see what she saw. There is no question on this point. That day, his nurse did a skin prick test and, upon seeing a mild but visible welt, remarked to me, "Oh, looks like you definitely have a shellfish allergy!" I agreed. Dr. Lodewick rushed in later, glanced at my arm and said, "No, there's no evidence there. The bump isn't raised enough to note." I tried to point out the welt, but he just shook his head and changed the subject. Dr. Lodewick was apparently convinced that the (imaginary?? hallucinated, it seems, by me, another allergist, and Dr. Lodewick's very own nurse) tests indicated I was allergic to exercise, not food. He told me that hiking solo or going anywhere at heightened elevation was no longer medically advised. I started to quietly tear up; I am profoundly active in the outdoors. However, the moment he noticed I was crying, Dr. Lodewick threw a box of tissues at me and ran out of the room. It was a very dehumanizing response. He returned 10 minutes later and concluded our visit by saying he had no idea what was wrong with me, but that I should take Zyrtec everyday and consider Xolair if a fresh batch of blood tests didn't reveal anything new. He did not give me a timeline for next steps or tell me any negative side effects of Zyrtec. (Unfortunately, I found out first-hand what those effects are: catastrophic weight gain. His office charged me $20 when I called to ask for an alternative medicine. "Just get Claritin!" the nurse snapped, and hung up. That's $6.66 per word, but who's counting?) In-between this appointment and our follow-up, I had 2 hospitalizations due to (drumroll) food allergies. I called Dr. Lodewick's office each time and left a message. His office never called me back. Dr. Lodewick devoted three (3) minutes to our followup visit 4 months later. I requested a referral to a food allergy-specialized therapist, and he straight-up refused, telling me instead to 'just find anyone who deals with anxiety.' After hearing my bullet list of recent allergy events, he said he couldn't help me, but recommended Xolair. He did not mention Xolair's black box warnings, $10,000 price tag, tell me how the hell it works, or ask me if I had questions. God forbid. Interestingly, he ALSO didn't explain why he hadn't signed me up for Xolair many months prior when it could have been protecting me from life-threatening anaphylactic shock all along. I guess that'll remain one of life's great mysteries! Oh wait, I know: it's because Dr. Lodewick is an objectively negligent doctor. Like I said: get a different allergist. PS to this day I have never had an allergic response to exercise read more

Wow! Hard to overstate how great a doctor Dr. Lodewick is. He's a great listener, kind and even funny. He never made me feel rushed. I came to him as a new patient with a complicated medical history. He'd clearly looked at my medical records very closely before meeting with me. He suspected that my longtime diagnosis might be wrong and prescribed two tests to find out. The tests proved his hunch correct. Another doctor missed this for nearly a decade. I'm deeply grateful to Dr. Lodewick for his thoroughness and insight. Also, his practice has the resources to perform the specialized tests I needed, which was made the experience seamless. read more

Dr Lodewick is pleasant and approachable.. He invests whatever time is needed to understand problems I am having and asks questions to insure he has the full picture. He listens attentively and speaks clearly with enough detail to get the best treatment for me. Dr Lodewick does not over treat or over test, which keeps costs down. He keeps up with new advances in his field. He makes good use of other professionals in his practice, NPs, Rns, Techs, Clerical. The office is well run and clean. Online messages from me are answered swiftly. After visit summaries are posted immediately. I have lived in 6 different major metropolitan communites and been under the care of 8 different allergists. Dr Lodewick is the best. read more

I want to be friends with Dr. Lodewick. He's that kind, genuine and REAL kind of doctor you wish could be your own specialist. And echoing other reviews, he listens. It's no wonder that his background is in pedicatrics because the moment he came in to start the appointment with my 16 month, he got down, hugged him just like a long lost uncle would, picked him up, held him and basically read my son's mind the whole appointment - he must have special powers. My son put his head on Dr. Lodewick's shoulder and was just the best start to a kind of nervous appointment. I didn't expect to find out results the same day which we did. It's a relief to know what you or your child are allergic to, have expert nurses and admin who aid in the whole 5-star experience! read more

I'm sure you've stories of sincere doctors. Doctors who actually care about you. Doctors who are friendly and nice people. Doctors who are so amazing that you think "Maybe there is hope for healthcare yet." Well...what if I told you that a sincere doctor actually exists? And that you can make an appointment with him without putting up a grueling fight with impossible receptionists? You don't believe me. Well, that's expected. But if you have allergy or asthma, then the information I have to offer may be worth a great deal to you. Great doctors are not just fairytale creatures. They are real. And there is one in Berkeley! Seriously though, Lodewick is an allergist you can trust. He is making my life so much more bearable. I've been suffering from allergic atopic dermatitis and chronic nasal congestion since the dawn of time, and he recommended that I start immunotherapy. So I've been going to his office once a month for over a year now, and I always feel so welcome here. And let me tell you, breathing through your nose for the first time is a weird sensation. And not just through one nostril, I'm talking TWO here! And my skin rashes? Gone. Btw, if you're somehow affiliated with Cal, definitely mention it to him. You might get free hugs :) read more

I went to see Dr. Lodewick when I had skin allergic reaction. Prior to seeing Dr. Lodewick, I went to see 2 other physicians who could not help. I felt very comfortable when I met Dr. Lodewick. He is very caring and nice person. He is one of few doctors I met that sincerely care about the patients. He was also very organized and provided me with summary of how we are going to take care of my skin reaction. My lush went away gradually following his diagnosis and cure. I recommend him to everyone. I am so lucky to found him! read more

I needed to see an allergist on an emergency basis and literally pulled Dr. Lodewick's name off the internet. Boy, did I hit the jackpot. I called his office on Wednesday afternoon and saw him in his Berkeley office on Friday and a follow-up appointment with him in San Ramon on Monday. First, both offices operate as if they were a five-star hotel. The staff was very courteous, friendly and efficient. Dr. Lodewick spent quite a bit of time with me working through my history and addressing the problem. His manner is very friendly and professional. I felt very comfortable asking as many questions as and he addressed all my concerns in a manner that made me feel as if I were his most important patient. read more

Seriously!! When I called to ask the cost of an appointment they told me anywhere from 85 to 375 without testing! They said there was NO way to tell what that would be and with the testing it could be up to $1000.00. Give me a break! read more

Just gave a reference to this doctor. He is one of the nicest and best kid docs we have been to. We did allergy testing with no fuss or pain, watched a movie during the test, and had results in a short time. Dr. Lodewick is smart, engaged, up-to-date, and very kind. He really works with parents on their kids case, giving them lots of options-- which was a game-changer for us. He is a doctor who takes the time to really investigate the case, and seems to really care about the results. Thanks! read more

Dr. Lodewick sees my 4 year old daughter for severe food allergies as well as environmental allergies. She is currently scheduled to begin OIT for peanuts with him and there is no doubt in my mind that this will change (and possibly save) her life. He is an incredible doctor and an amazing human being. I cannot say enough great things about him! I thank my lucky stars constantly that we live here so that she is able to be treated by him. My daughter loves her visits with him, and he always takes the time to listen to anything she has to say. He makes her feel very special. Consider yourself lucky if you are a patient of his! read more

I've been seeing Dr. Lodewick for about 2 years and agree with the positive reviews others are sharing. He really is an exceptional, caring person and a very smart doctor. I've had allergies all my life, taken shots for years and gotten pretty good results. With Dr. Lodewick, I've gotten so much better! He reviewed my entire history and suggested we increase the strength of my injections. It not only made my seasonal allergies pretty much disappear, it also has made huge improvements in my food allergies, which is what he predicted would happen. I'm eating foods I'd had to avoid for 20 years. I'm beyond thrilled! I can't recommend him highly enough. read more

I am not at all impressed with Dr. Lodewick. His diagnosis seems to be for insurance reasons rather than based on any actual facts. He did not listen and completely wiped aside my concerns that the reason for my son's asthma attacks could have a different source (he's the doctor after all, I'm just a mom of three!). He actually got quite offensive and short with me. The last thing I need to be met with at a doctor's office is arrogance and attitude. Yes he seemed nice -- precisely until I made a suggestion and asked some questions! read more

Dr. Lodewick is an awesome doctor. He cares. Plus he knows what he talking about. He takes the time to listen and he cares for you as if your family. I give him an A plus x 2 . I wish there were more doctor's like him. read more

Like other reviewers, I also felt compelled to leave a review as our experience with Dr Lodewick was exceptional. Charming, genuine, articulate, as well as knowledgeable and capable. He quickly developed a rapport with both me and my son over shared interests while he conducted the assessment with competence and efficiency. He gave reasoned and sound advice about how to handle my son's allergies and provided further resources as we consider OIT. The nurses and staff are also wonderful. Highly recommended! read more

God that office and staff sucks! I saw Dr Gilbert. What an unempathetic and overall horrible doctor. Didn't even bother to acquire or even read my test results??!! Jumped to prescribe me some crazy expensive drug that she must be getting pay outs for. The receptionists speaks like a little kid - no kidding - she sounds like she has the mental capacity of a 5 year old and uses a baby voice (must get her out of doing important things or answering serious questions). Seriously people - stay away!!! read more

Went to check out what allergy is bothering me - did not get an answer but got a huge bill to pay. I cannot say I was impressed with service at all - this doc did not explain the test, talked to me like am an an idiot and here to annoy him. At the end the test was negative and he did not have any suggestion for me at all. Well, I am not an idiot and hate feeling pushed out - went to see another doc in SF - got all the answers and feel great now. Oh, their billing department is a bunch of rudest people who is really good about playing telephone games and threaten you with Collection agency first moment you ask a question. read more

fantastic doctor and a great human being. it doesnt get any better than dr lodewick

He was friendly, thorough, and took my concerns seriously. I was very pleased with his office staff as well. I would recommend him to anyone. read more

Dr. Lodewick has treated my son for years, although we rarely see him now since he has improved my son's allergy and respiratory issues significantly. My son recently had a flare up and Dr. Lodewick saw him right away and treated him with the usual focus, caring and intelligence that he brings to his practice. He listens carefully and partners with you to figure things out. He has formed a bond with my son and he is invested in my son being healthy and happy. I am so grateful to have him on our team. He is a brilliant doctor steeped in the latest approaches and medicines, the fact that he is such a warm and wonderful human being is the icing on the allergy cake! read more

I can wholeheartedly echo the 5 star reviews posted already for Dr. Lodewick. My 8-year old daughter and I just left his office (we had a combined visit) and I felt compelled to leave a review because our experience with him was so exceptional. I am a Nurse Practitioner so I am around physicians constantly and I easily rank Dr. Lodewick up there as one of the very best I have encountered. He is intelligent, sincere, accessible and a great listener. At no time did we feel rushed (and we used up a great deal of his time) - on the contrary, it was the first time (in a very long time) that I felt I was able to ask all of the questions I had and communicate my medical history to someone actually interested in hearing the whole story. We left feeling energized by the thoughtful and detailed treatment plan he created for us and the exceptional care we received while in his office. I can't imagine you could find a better allergist out there. read more

Dr. Lodewick literally saved my life. I had been seen by other doctors for my asthma. They didn't really listen to me about how it started. They glossed over important details. So they diagnosed it as standard asthma and gave me increasing doses of steroids with no end in sight and life threatening side effects. In the first 15 minutes with Dr. Lodewick he correctly diagnosed the cause of my asthma because he really listens closely to every word you say. He has an amazing sense of focus. I had the sinus surgery he recommended (fungul sinsusitis caused my asthma) and my asthma went from severe to mild with only the occasional use of steroids literally overnight. Dr. Lodewick is one of the best doctors I've ever had. He is very smart, state-of-the-art, no ego and works with me to find the best solutions for my situation. He is extremely compassionate and caring. He is so humble and honest its amazing. We haven't always agreed on what I should do but he respects my opinion in ways that are very rare in my experience with doctors. My asthma continues to be a struggle but no where near as bad as before because of Dr. Lodewick. If I had seen him first my life would be different. I can't recommend him highly enough. Go see Dr. Lodewick for an amazing experience that defines what doctors should be about. read more