It makes more sense to stop drinking

Dear Dr. Gott: I recently read that thiamine is a possible cure for alcohol-induced neuropathy. What is the recommended dosage and how often should the vitamin be taken?

Dear reader: People who consistently abuse alcohol usually develop vitamin deficiencies, in addition to disorders of the brain, heart, pancreas and liver. Furthermore, many alcoholics suffer from neuropathy (nerve malfunction) that causes numbness and tingling of the extremities.

During a period of abstinence, such as occurs during detoxification, seizures may appear. These “rum fits” can be prevented by vitamin supplements, chiefly thiamine. During withdrawal, alcoholics are customarily prescribed 100 milligrams of thiamine a day in three daily injections. This replenishes the deficiency.

I am not aware that oral doses of thiamine when taken by an active alcoholic will improve neuropathy. The continued use of intoxicants virtually neutralizes any beneficial effects the vitamin might have. It makes more sense to stop drinking, end the physical self-abuse and receive professional assistance in overcoming the disastrous effects of alcohol.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Mental and Substance Abuse.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 440992. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: I have an underactive thyroid gland and a high cholesterol level. Is there any reason why I shouldn’t use coconut oil to correct the problems?

Dear reader: There are two reasons why I would discourage the use of coconut oil in your case.

First, you should be taking a thyroid supplement under your physician’s supervision. When given in appropriate dosages, such a supplement will completely correct the metabolic consequences of hypothyroidism, one of which is an elevated cholesterol level.

Second, in some instances, coconut oil actually causes the cholesterol level to rise. My advice is: get your thyroid under control. Then, if your cholesterol level doesn’t drop (as I suspect it will), you should consider medication to bring it down. This is a topic that you and your doctor need to explore.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Cholesterol.” Other reader s who would like a copy may follow the previous instructions.

Dear Dr. Gott: I’ve heard a lot of differing opinions after reading your recommendation that patients seek to obtain prescriptions from Canada, even though such an option is currently illegal and, opponents argue, should be discouraged. Do you still feel strongly about the price-shopping option?

Dear reader: A recent “60 Minutes” segment called “Prescriptions and Profit” by Morley Safer (broadcast on March 14) expressed a similar viewpoint to mine. So it may not be long until the law is changed to allow consumers to obtain the medicines they need at less cost.