2014-03-22: Male hot flashes, thyroid hormones, e-cigarettes and other interesting topics

Summary: Unfortunately, electronic cigarettes are available to minors; Suggestions to maximize absorption of vitamin supplements; My husband has hot flashes — get thyroid tests; Boric acid is a safer fire retardant chemical in furniture; The shingles vaccine wears off after about 5 years; Preventative health advice to control health care costs in a self-insured group; The tricky issue of thyroid hormone supplementation and the politics of drug industry regulations; A urologist notes that low testosterone can cause hot flashes in males; More discussion about shingles vaccine; What should I expect with my Medicare physical and what lab tests should I get? Don't be too worried about a borderline high hemoglobin A1c value; Read the fine print when buying long term care insurance; Can I tell my doctor to not put some information in my medical record?