One day she was cranky and complained bitterly about day care, which she usually enjoyed. I asked, "Mom, have you been taking your St. John's wort?" Her reply was, "No, I ran out of it several days ago and didn't think I needed it." She realized then how much better she felt when taking it.
St. John's wort can be helpful to alleviate mild depression, although double-blind studies have shown it is not very helpful for moderate to severe depression. It is crucial to check with the doctor as you did, because St. John's wort can interact with many medications, making some less effective and others more dangerous.
Is there vitamin D in wild salmon? We live in Alaska and eat king salmon about twice a week. We also take vitamin D-3 because there is so little sunlight here during the winter. Would that be too much?
Wild salmon does contain vitamin D, roughly 500 to 1,000 International Units in a serving. In Alaska, you could benefit from an additional daily dose of vitamin D. A total daily intake of 2,000 IU would be reasonable.
I have been taking thyroid hormones (first Synthroid and then Levoxyl) for more than 15 years. My doctor has recently started lowering my dose because he is concerned that the extra thyroid hormones might weaken my bones.
Ever since the dosage was reduced, I have had many troubling symptoms. My cholesterol is going up, and so is my weight, although I am exercising and eating carefully. I am tired, cold and depressed most of the time. My skin is dry, my fingertips have painful cracks and my nails are splitting. My hair is thinning, and my eyebrows are fading away. Along with all that, I have absolutely no interest in sex. What can I do?
Although excess thyroid hormone can weaken bones and contribute to osteoporosis, getting the dose just right is essential for good health. All the symptoms you have described could be linked to insufficient thyroid activity.
We are sending you our Guide to Thyroid Hormones, with information on how to interpret thyroid lab results as well as treatment options so you can discuss this with your doctor. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (59 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. T-4, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. A copy also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site at peoples pharmacy.com.
In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site.
