Remember last December, when Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump released a very odd letter from his doctor? Well, Trump’s doctor has released another, more detailed, letter, and we have it.
Trump’s Doctor: ‘Mr. Trump Is In Excellent Physical Health’
The same doctor who, last December, wrote a widely-mocked (and widely-scrutinized) letter about Trump’s health states now that “Mr. Trump is in excellent physical health.” He’s dialed back the crazy a little bit, but there are still some things worth noting.
First of all, Dr. Bornstein states in the new letter that he is “on the active staff of Lenox Hill Hospital” and has been for 38 years. However, a report by the Washington Post says:
“…Though he does have admitting privileges at Lenox Hill, he is not on staff there.”
Considering the fact that this is so easily disproved, it makes one wonder what other lies might be in the letter.
Dr. Bornstein is, indeed, board certified. He does not participate in the maintenance of certification program. As a doctor certified prior to 1990, he is not required to participate, but the Internal Board of Medicine “strongly urges” participation.
‘I’ll Be Releasing Very Specific Numbers’
A few days ago, Trump said on Fox News:
“This last week, I took a physical, and I’ll be releasing, when the numbers come in, hopefully they are going to be good. I think they are going to be good, I feel great, but when the numbers come in, I’ll be releasing very specific numbers.”
The letter from his doctor does indeed have specific numbers. However, those numbers seem a little … off.
For instance, Trump admits he takes medication for his cholesterol levels. According to the doctor’s report, Trump’s current total cholesterol is 169. Great – the medication is working. Given Trump’s penchant for fast food, though, his triglycerides, at 61, seem almost too good to be true (normal levels are 149 or lower).
Then there’s the blood sugar. We have to assume this was a fasting blood test, given that it was a full physical. Trump’s doctor says his number was 99 mg/dl. What’s normal? 70-100 mg/dl. I will grant that some cholesterol medications can cause blood sugar to spike, but is this something to worry about?
Perhaps the most damning number on the report is the calcium score. Notice that the doctor chose to use one from 2013, rather than provide a current number. The letter states that his calcium score was 98 in 2013. According to the Mayo Clinic:
“When calcium is present, the higher the score, the higher the risk of attacks in the long term. A score of 100 to 300 — moderate plaque deposition — is associated with a relatively high risk of heart attack or other heart disease over the next three to five years.”
So … what’s his current level, doc?
And, I’m sorry, Mr. Trump. You don’t weigh 236 pounds. Twitter agrees.
Let’s also not forget that this is the doctor who told NBC News:
“I like Donald Trump because I think he likes me.”
Where Are The Detailed Medical Records?
Of course, this letter is not what Trump promised. Trump said he would release “detailed medical records” in a tweet on August 28. This letter is far from “detailed medical records.” It’s a bunch of questionable and unverifiable numbers from a doctor who lied in the first paragraph of the letter.
I think that both candidates, Crooked Hillary and myself, should release detailed medical records. I have no problem in doing so! Hillary?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 28, 2016
Peter Alexander, of NBC news, posted the letter on Twitter. For some reason, that post has been deleted. Luckily, Mediaite grabbed it before it was gone.
In case you missed the INSANE interview the doc gave to NBC, here it is:
Featured Image via YouTube screen capture.
