DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism many years ago and have since been put on Synthroid. Since I am extremely healthy other than this issue, is there any chance I can go off Synthroid ever? Are there any changes I can make on my own or holistically? — R.P. ANSWER: Most cases of […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mother’s blood test has a sodium level of 130 mEq/L. She is not on diuretics, and she does not have heart or kidney problems. She is on thyroid medication and omeprazole. Do I need to be concerned? Due to the heat, I was encouraging her to drink more water. Should I […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband is 77, and I am 68. Our health deteriorated during the pandemic. When should we switch to a gerontologist for our general care? — A.M.P. ANSWER: Nearly all adult primary care doctors, including family medicine doctors and internists, have expertise in taking care of older adults, as older people tend […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Is there a research group studying the aftereffects of COVID? My husband has been exhausted since his second bout of COVID in June 2023. This is not simply being tired; it is exhaustion. Our physician has ordered multiple tests (for his heart, lungs, etc.), and nothing else turns up. When speaking with […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Can someone have diffuse multiple myeloma with serious symptoms (like bone pain, pale skin, amber-colored urine, constipation, fatigue, insomnia, excessive sweating, and dizziness) and still be alive after four years? — J.O. ANSWER: Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer of the bone marrow. The cells in the bone marrow (called plasma […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been confused about what normal blood pressure is for me (or anyone). I know there are some issues on what normal is today, but let us say that normal is 120/80 mm Hg. Does this mean that 110/90 mm Hg, 130/70 mm Hg, or 150/50 mm Hg is also normal? […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 84-year-old woman who was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus after an MRI scan. I understand that there isn’t any treatment besides a shunt. Do you have any recommendations? I do not want to go through this procedure. — R.R. ANSWER: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is an uncommon problem most commonly […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 81-year-old male in good health. Four months ago, I was diagnosed with meralgia paresthetica, a compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. I believe this occurred when I did a leg press on an exercise machine that had way too much weight for me. This resulted in a numb […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 78-year-old man with a stent and a blockage in one of the arteries to my heart. I am on a low-fat diet and take ramipril for cholesterol. My levels are very good (total cholesterol is 120 mg/dL, HDL is 44 mg/dL, and LDL is 60 mg/dL). However, my C-reactive protein […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am almost 96 and in good health. In June, I went to see my oncologist for my 10-year follow-up after a left breast mastectomy. The doctor noted that my heart rate was 48 bpm, and she asked if that was normal. I said I had never heard of such a low […]