Question 1

can milk thistle cause early puberty?

Accepted Answer

It's unclear ...: Extracts of the milk thistle plant can act like estrogen and enhance the body's estrogen effects.  Extracts of the seeds do not seem to have this same effect.  Those with hormone sensitive conditions (i.e., breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids) should not take milk thistle.

Question 2

i have a hepatic steatosis caused by alcohol, i decided to take milk thistle, but i don't know safe doses, can you please advise me how much (minimum dose) leaves and seeds can i consume of milk thistle daily that it was safe?

Accepted Answer

: Milk thistle is an OTC product and thus there is NO REGULATION of what they can put in it. I recommend not using any supplements as they Fido not have to demonstrate they are safe OR effective in doing anything.  Beware.

Question 3

can milk thistle pills cause stomach discomfort?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Milk thistle may cause diarrhea or, more rarely, nausea, bloating, gas, & upset stomach. If you are allergic to ragweed, milk thistle might cause an allergic reaction since it belongs to the same family. Women with  fibroids or endometriosis or breast, uterine, or ovarian cancers should not take milk thistle due to its estrogenic effects.

Question 4

one of the doctors here is saying that milk thistle can cause hypoglycaemia but i never read about this, i intend to use it as liver tonic.is it safe?

Accepted Answer

Very safe but...: There is some exciting research showing  milk thistle can significantly lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes but no evidence it lowers sugar in healthy people. If you already have a tendency to hypoglycemia then be cautious. Like 
all herbs, it can have occ. Side effects & can interact with meds. See http://ahha.Org/milkthistle.Htm &
http://herbs.Lovetoknow.Com/milk_thistle_supplement.

Question 5

i am 24 years old with unknown cause of elevated liver enzymes for more than 6 months with negative ultrasound can i use milk thistle as a liver tonic?

Accepted Answer

Yes: However, it is unlikely to benefit you; most studies show no value. Health doesn't come from taking pills. You need to discover the cause. I trust you've been tested for hepatitis b and c, hemochromatosis, wilson's, autoimmune hepatitis, and antitrypsin deficiency. Elite athletes tend to run high transaminases & that's healthy. If you're sedentary, think about a new focus on fitness instead.

Question 6

i have itp and currently taking  promacta 25 mg/ day.  this cause my hair get thinner due to it  high liver enzymes .  can i take milk thistle with dandelion root tea to detox my liver once a week?

Accepted Answer

: Promacta may indeed cause irritation of the liver, all the way to severe liver toxicity.  It may also cause hair loss.  Folk remedies like milk thistle and dandelion root will only confuse the issue and MAY even make the liver disease worse.

See your hematologist NOW

Question 7

took milk thistle. stomach upset so stopped. same time had flu (not stomach flu) but lost appetite & nauseous esp after food. feels like when my gallbladder was inflamed. have i caused damage?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: But if the symptoms persists for more than a week or gets worse, you need to see a doctor since the problem may not be related to milk thistle at all.

Question 8

is the hepadiet supplement helps to reduce high liver enzymes caused by liver metastatic cancer.this supplement includes artichoke leves- milk thistle?

Accepted Answer

Don't spend too much: I'm sorry i can't offer you more. A concoction of milk thistle (which has failed most scientific testing for liver disease) and artichoke leaves and other cheap vegetables appeals to the imagination and emotion of people who are desperate. And there's no reason to treat a lab value. Enjoy what time you have, and if the metastases are troublesome (often they aren't), perhaps local rx can help.

Question 9

is milk thistle pills in a bottle good to cleanse and help with liver function if so what brand do you recommend thanks ?

Accepted Answer

: No.  There is no evidence that it is safe and does what it promises. And, especially in India, they can add whatever they want to it and do.  Some may contain mercury or arsenic or Viagra.

Go to uptodate.com and read more.  Then discuss with you team. Do not bet your life on unproven supplements. You can even start your own supplement business if you want to make money by selling snake oil.

Question 10

any evidence to support taking milk thistle proactively to protect liver if someone is on a lot of medications? i'm 36 w/ multiple chronic issues.

Accepted Answer

Herbal therpy: Herbal therapy to compliment traditional medicine is a wonderful way to educate patients as well as tweek what we providrs prescribe.  One must be careful that there are no serious risks or drug interactions with your current meds.  Milk Thistle also supports the thyroid gland as wells as liver. Check with your provider first.

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Doctor answers about:

Does milk thistle cause diarrhea

A member asked:

Can milk thistle cause early puberty?

A member asked:

I have a hepatic steatosis caused by alcohol, i decided to take milk thistle, but i don't know safe doses, can you please advise me how much (minimum dose) leaves and seeds can i consume of milk thistle daily that it was safe?

A member asked:

Can milk thistle pills cause stomach discomfort?

A member asked:

One of the doctors here is saying that milk thistle can cause hypoglycaemia but i never read about this, i intend to use it as liver tonic.is it safe?

A member asked:

I am 24 years old with unknown cause of elevated liver enzymes for more than 6 months with negative ultrasound can i use milk thistle as a liver tonic?

A member asked:

I have itp and currently taking promacta 25 mg/ day. this cause my hair get thinner due to it high liver enzymes . can i take milk thistle with dandelion root tea to detox my liver once a week?

A member asked:

Took milk thistle. stomach upset so stopped. same time had flu (not stomach flu) but lost appetite & nauseous esp after food. feels like when my gallbladder was inflamed. have i caused damage?

A member asked:

Is the hepadiet supplement helps to reduce high liver enzymes caused by liver metastatic cancer.this supplement includes artichoke leves- milk thistle?

A member asked:

Is milk thistle pills in a bottle good to cleanse and help with liver function if so what brand do you recommend thanks ?

A member asked:

Any evidence to support taking milk thistle proactively to protect liver if someone is on a lot of medications? i'm 36 w/ multiple chronic issues.

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