6 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Too much
vitamin D
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 86-
year-old woman with three doctors
battling over my vitamin D level for
many years. I am 59 inches tall and
weigh 95 pounds. I play nine holes of
golf three times a week. I have
always been a poor eater, so I get lit-
tle nourishment from food. I drink 3
ounces of scotch every evening with
chips. That’s my nourishment.
I’ve beaten lung cancer and
recently had skin cancer surgery in
my ear. The vitamin D situation
never goes away, and the doctors
keep changing my meds. One of the
doctors claims that my vitamin D
count is almost toxic (my blood lev-
els of vitamin D are 121 from my
rheumatologist and 145 from my
internist), and I have been taken off
any meds with vitamin D in them,
but it’s still high.
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A
troubling situation takes a positive turn
and moves toward a resolution that
should please you and your supporters.
Meanwhile, make time to deal with new
domestic issues.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s a
good time to reassess your goals and
consider shifting directions. Remember
to keep an open mind, and be prepared
to make changes as new opportunities
arise.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Rely
on your strong Mercury aspect to help
you close that communication gap
before it becomes too wide to cross. A
sibling or other family member has
news.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
You’re about to get off that emotional
I am feeling OK now and want to
forget the whole matter of the vita-
min D level. Your opinion would be
appreciated. — Anon.
ANSWER: I admire your spirit for
life, even if I don’t agree with your
diet.
I have seen only one case of vita-
min D excess in my career. It is very
rare if people are taking less than
4,000 IU of vitamin D daily, so I sus-
pect you were taking much higher
doses at some point. When I hear that
multiple doctors may have been tak-
ing care of you, I worry that more
than one was prescribing high doses
of vitamin D. There also have been
cases of manufacturing errors and
excess fortification of milk, but these
are quite rare.
Vitamin D is normally stored in
the liver, with the fat cells becoming
a second reservoir. The toxicity of
vitamin D is due to high calcium lev-
els, which can cause confusion, nau-
sea and vomiting, and muscle weak-
ness. Toxic levels can be treated with
short-term prednisone, but that isn’t
necessary unless there are symptoms
or a dangerously high calcium level.
By the time your letter is pub-
lished, your vitamin D levels should
have returned to normal. If they
haven’t, it’s time to look for a rare
cause, such as sarcoidosis, where
occasionally the abnormal cells can
make vitamin D.
The booklet on sodium, potassium
and mineral discusses the importance
of these and other substances to our
health. Readers can obtain a copy by
writing: Dr. Roach — No. 202W, 628
Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
Enclose a check or money order (no
cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with
the recipient’s printed name and
address. Please allow four weeks for
delivery.
DEAR DR. ROACH: My mother
was diagnosed a few years ago with
macular degeneration (both wet and
dry). Is this disease hereditary? What
can I do to prevent myself from get-
ting this disease? — K.
ANSWER: There does seem to be
an increased risk in people with a
family history. Several studies have
shown that vitamins, especially B
vitamins, can reduce risk by a third or
so. Since a combination of zinc and
vitamins A, C and E was shown to
help reduce progression of macular
degeneration, many experts recom-
mend it for prevention as well.
roller coaster and start experiencing
more stability than you’ve been used to.
This is a good time to let someone new
into your life.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Good
news: A trusted friend comes through
for you. But you still need to shed that
last scrap of self-doubt and once more
become the cool, confident Cat we all
know and love.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Things should be getting back to a
less hectic pace. Enjoy the more peace-
ful atmosphere. You earned it. But don’t
forget about those still-unresolved
issues.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) A more positive family relationship
develops as misunderstandings are
explained away. A job situation appears
promising, but check it out before you
act on it.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November
21) Congratulations. That on-the-job
situation is working out as you’d hoped.
Now’s a good time to relax and to enjoy
the company of family and close
friends.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) You might feel as if
you’re caught in an emotional tug-of-
war. But don’t be rushed into a decision
on either side. Wait for more facts
before you act.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) The Goat’s usually high
level of self-confidence is brimming
over these days. This should help you
deal with a situation that you’ve avoid-
ed for far too long. Go for it.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) Relationships become
more intense. But be careful not to be
pushed into decisions you’re not com-
fortable with. Remember: You’re the
one in charge of your life.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
You need to show more confidence in
your ability to reach your goals. Make
that long-delayed decision, and avoid
floundering around in a sea of self-
doubt.
Siuslaw N ews
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