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Faster way to detect head trauma moves closer to reality

Dear Dr. Roach: I am 67 years old and in good health. I had some thyroid tests that showed a mildly high TSH (6.7), but normal T3, T4 and free thyroxine index.

Dear Dr. Roach: I read your column faithfully, but I can鈥檛 recall you ever addressing urinary incontinence in women. As it鈥檚 a subject that鈥檚 not normally addressed socially, I wonder if you can tell us what can be done about it. O.P.

How should people decide whether or not to have a colonoscopy? New guidelines for this procedure have recently been published in The Canadian Medical Association Journal. It reports that some people have a choice. Others have no choice.

Dear Dr. Roach: I鈥檓 a 69-year-old woman with hypothyroidism. Although my thyroid-stimulating hormone score is in the high-normal range, a new doctor recently increased my dosage of levothyroxine just slightly because of fatigue, joint aches and more.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a healthy 90-year-old woman. I enjoy playing tennis and bridge. A week ago, I started to take the drug metformin. I do not have diabetes. The reason for taking it is that I read an article about it by an expert in longevity.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 68-year-old woman diagnosed with osteopenia. My hip T-score is -2.3, and lumbar spine T-score is -1.6. My doctor suggested medication, but I am concerned about side-effects.

What does 鈥減lant a seed and watch it grow鈥� have to do with a medical column? In one word, plenty. One of today鈥檚 medical disasters is that many children in this country are hungry and poor.

Dear Dr. Roach: I would like your advice concerning my 75-year-old boyfriend, whom I have known for eight years. He had what I suppose would be called a nervous breakdown two years ago and was admitted to a mental hospital for seven days.

Dear Dr. Roach: I recently went for an annual checkup, and was told that I am anemic. Other than advising me to take iron pills, I was told to see my gastroenterologist.