ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a healthy and fairly active 62-year-old female. My blood pressure and cholesterol levels have always been very good, and there's no history of heart issues in my immediate family. At my last checkup, my total cholesterol was 178 mg/dL; my LDL was 81 mg/dL; my triglycerides were 61 (all a bit high for me); and my HDL was 87 mg...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have low serum cholesterol but a high coronary calcium score, and I was told to take magnesium supplements to bring my calcium score down (in addition to daily aspirin and a statin). What are your thoughts about magnesium to bring down a high calcium score? -- D.B.

ANSWER: A coronary calcium score is a measurement of calcium...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: When I have appointments with my physicians (at our local, highly rated academic health system), they no longer do a physical exam. But in the after-visit note, there is a documented and complete physical exam that doesn't reflect reality. This happened on all types of visits, including annual visits and pre- and post-surgery ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 70-year-old woman. I have Type 2 diabetes, and my morning fasting blood sugar numbers are all over the place. It's very frustrating. I take glipizide and metformin. Could you tell me how to correct the numbers? -- L.C.

ANSWER: Unfortunately, I can't give you specific advice without a whole lot more information, but I ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 83-year-old man. Except for blood pressure medication, I've never had any heart-related health issues. Earlier this year, I experienced six or so episodes of a fast, irregular heartbeat. After seeing a cardiologist, I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. I was prescribed Eliquis and amiodarone.

After doing a little ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 61-year-old male in excellent health. I do not drink alcohol. About four months ago, I noticed a dramatic change in my facial complexion. I developed an acne-like rash, primarily on my right cheek. I also developed two pretty large pimples, one under my left eye and one on my right check.

The dermatologist diagnosed ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old woman who isn't prediabetic or diabetic. My BMI is 31.2. My doctor has prescribed a trial of metformin for weight loss as an alternative to starting Ozempic or one of the other weight-loss drugs. I have lost three pounds in a month, which is a start; exercise and healthier eating is also encouraged. What are ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Two years ago, I was diagnosed with atypical trigeminal neuralgia. This causes me constant and extreme face pain, like a vise-grip on my face. Once an MRI confirmed no brain issues, and after multiple medications including Botox injections, I was put on nortriptyline, which immensely improved the pain. I am 61 years old and ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: If I am taking vitamin A, what is a reasonable dose? I have seen reports that taking too much can cause liver damage, but nobody says how much is a problem. -- M.E.B.

ANSWER: I think many media sources avoid the complexity of the issue. The preferred unit to describe doses of vitamin A are now micrograms RAE, or "retinol ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with prediabetes over 30 years ago. My parents had diabetes. I just turned 84, and my weight is 135 pounds. I am 5 feet and 3.5 inches tall.

I watch my diet and take four blood pressure pills, and my blood pressure is under control. My cholesterol is very low (my total cholesterol is 130 mg/dL) since I've been ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My age is 73, and I've had a steadily increasing PSA level for many years. In 2020, the result was 11.8 ng/mL, and it has risen to 17-18 ng/mL, where it has stayed for the past year. Since July 2024, I have been taking 10 mg of alfuzosin daily. I had a biopsy in 2017 with no sign of cancer. I had MRIs with/without contrast in ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have read that drinking decaffeinated green tea brewed below 175 degrees Fahrenheit will lower cholesterol. Do you have a recommendation concerning this information? -- C.P.

ANSWER: All major types of tea (green, oolong and black) are associated with small drops in serum cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol, which is most...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: What is lupus, and what does it do to your body? I just had a friend diagnosed with it after many months of tests. -- T.S.B.

ANSWER: The term "lupus" generally means systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), which is a systemic disorder (as its name suggests). So, by definition, it affects multiple systems of the body.

One of the ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy 89-year-old United States Army veteran. In August 2017, I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and was treated with Lupron and radiation. These treatments have given me new life with my PSA level initially being undetectable, but my PSA slowly rose in 2023 and 2024. Then on April 28, it elevated to 29.3 ng/...Read more