Dr. Gott: Test plates for lead, just to be sure

Dear Dr. Gott: I recently purchased an extra set of dishes for my 91-year-old mother that are oven, microwave and dishwasher safe but were made in China. With all the recent recalls of products made there lately, I am wondering if this dinnerware is safe to use. How would I know if the dishes of today are being regulated or not? If these plates are toxic, what are the health issues that may lie ahead? She lives in another state, and the plates were purchased there. Thank you for your thoughts on this matter.

Dear Reader: Based on the fact that some Chinese imports have been shown to have problems, I tend to be wary of using them. I don’t know anything about your mother’s dishes, but they can be checked for lead. Discuss this problem with the health director in your community. He should be able to provide you with the name of a local laboratory that can perform the necessary testing.

Having said this, I should not be too rigid in my approach. A woman in her 90s is not likely to get into trouble because it takes many years of lead exposure for the mineral to cause health problems. Therefore, I think your mother is safe. Nonetheless, the lead analysis of the dinner plates – or a blood test to determine whether her lead level is too high – would supply the information you seek.

I don’t know that we can blame outsourced manufacturing facilities that produce these products. To my knowledge, most of the imports we receive are ordered by American companies that outsource. I find it hard to believe that the company receiving these products does not know that the facilities are using substandard, toxic or otherwise unsafe materials. Perhaps I am too naive in my belief that all companies should set high standards, mandate appropriate inspections and approve a product before it is packaged for shipment. The well-being of our country should take precedence over profits. No one should be harmed by substandard products simply because the profit margin isn’t big enough. It’s time to get back to basics, start caring about our neighbors and forget about labels, convenience, and “keeping up with the Jones.’ ” Possessions can be replaced, but loved ones cannot. We need to take a stand and demand safe products.

Dear Dr. Gott: My husband is 48 years old with an enviably low blood pressure (110/60) and heart rate. He is 5 feet 10 inches tall and 190 pounds but carries it well. He does take Lipitor to manage his cholesterol, and that is working out well. He has had left leg issues for the past year. It wakes him up at night. He said that “pain” doesn’t quite describe it. It is sometimes tight, sometimes numb and sometimes throbs. My husband has an extensive commute by auto, and he at times has to extend his leg while driving to get relief. His doctor diagnosed it as sciatica and began a short course of oral steroids. These have had terrible side effects of sweating, insomnia and crossness. (The doctor did warn about the last two.) Unfortunately, the steroids provided no relief. A few years ago, my husband did well on steroid injections for a rotator cuff issue with no side effects or recurrence. My question is, could it be a blood clot in his leg causing the problem? The doctor assured me it wasn’t because of his blood pressure and good reflexes. I begged the doctor to order an MRI, call it “wife intuition,” if you will. I have had “mother’s intuition” with my children’s health on more than one occasion. The doctor said through his manual exam of my husband’s leg he can tell the circulation is good and there is no clot. I wasn’t aware you could diagnose it that way. Is it true?

Dear Reader: If your husband is suffering the consequences of venous or arterial vascular blockage, he will need special testing. This is not something that can be “felt” in most cases. I suggest your husband see a vascular surgeon and undergo a study of the circulation to his legs. The testing is not invasive or painful. Stick with your “wife intuition” and have the testing performed.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Medical Specialists.” 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 44092. Be sure to mention the title.