DEAR DR. GOTT: I am an 86-year-old widow of a disabled World War II veteran. I am the eldest in a family of five girls. I and two of my sisters have Restless Legs Syndrome. We three also had rheumatic fever. I have often wondered whether there was a connection between the two conditions.

My father also had rheumatic fever, but he died at age 46, so I do not know if he would have had RLS.

DEAR READER: Restless Legs Syndrome is in no way related to rheumatic fever, but, as you know, the cause of RLS remains unknown, so the future may tell us more.

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 47-year-old premenopausal woman who has never had children. My gynecologist recently recommended that I take calcium supplements (500 to 600 milligrams of calcium with vitamin D per day), saying that I am a good candidate for osteoporosis because I'm petite (5 feet 1-½ inches and 97 pounds).

Is it possible for me to get enough calcium from my diet without taking the over-the-counter kind? I enjoy all kinds of vegetables and dairy products. I run and take aerobics classes (which includes weights) about three times per week.

DEAR READER: I recommend that you have a bone-density exam. This test will let your doctor know how well your bones are absorbing calcium. If you have minor deficiencies (osteopenia) but not osteoporosis, increasing your calcium intake with calcium and vitamin D supplements may stop or slow bone loss. If you have osteoporosis, you should start one of the medications available on the market as well as including extra dietary calcium and vitamin D.

Whether or not you need calcium/vitamin D supplements, they are relatively inexpensive and won't hurt you. (Incidentally, just because you are slim is not reason enough to assume that you are a candidate for osteoporosis.) As a preventive, you may wish to start taking supplements even if you have no problem.

If you decide to take supplements, be sure that you take one that includes vitamin D. The vitamin D works with the calcium in your body and aids absorption. Without it, the amount of calcium used by the body is minimal.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Osteoporosis." Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR DR. GOTT: This question has probably been asked and answered, but here goes. I have noticed as I get older that my skin seems to be thinner. Minor scratches and bumps now seem to take forever to heal, but just a few years ago, they would have healed in just a few days. Is there anything we can do to toughen up our skin?

DEAR READER: Fragile, thin skin is age-related. As we grow older, the skin becomes more easily injured. There is no treatment for this condition except to apply moisturizing cream if the skin is dry.