Question 1

does herbal supplementation of milk thistle increase estrogen?

Accepted Answer

Many unproven claims: There are many unproven claims about the benefits of milk thistle, but very little valid scientific information. Not recommended at this time and doesn't seem to increase estrogen. Don't get your health information from the internet.

Question 2

is it safe for breast cancer survivor to use silymarin supplement found in artichoke and milk thistle? i found some info that it affects estrogen.

Accepted Answer

Not sure: Milk thistle has been used medicinally for over 2, 000 years, most commonly for the treatment of liver and gallbladder disorders. The silymarin can be extracted from the seeds of milk thistle and is believed to be the biologically active component. 

 Before you use it be sure to see your doctor.

Question 3

suspected that i have gilberts syndrome. can taking milk thistle daily help to normalize high bilirubin levels in the blood?

Accepted Answer

: If you truly have Gilbert's, which is benign, why would you want to treat it?  Milk thistle will not change the bilirubin profile.

Question 4

will fenugreek and milk thistle increase my milk supply if it is getting really low for my 8 month old? i am afraid if mot producing enough.

Accepted Answer

No: No, eating any specific food is not going to increase your milk supply.  Drinking more liquids might help.

Question 5

i read that milk thistle will not let prednisone get metabolized and will build it up in your blood to toxic levels. is that true?

Accepted Answer

Could be: Milk thistle is not going to do you any good and it has side effects and drug interactions. Unless you doctor prescribed it, discontinue using it.

Question 6

i have been diagnosis and got fatty liver. my alt(sgpt) is 92, lipid & glucose e okay! which is quiet high level. what will i do now? dr prescribed these medicines: viusid, epaset, milk thistle & urcodil 300mg. are these medicine okay?

Accepted Answer

Metformin 2 g/day: Viusid, Epaset, and Milk Thistle are nutritional supplements without strong evidence for benefit.  Before going to urcodil, ask your MD whether Metformin 2 g/day would be a good choice for an initial drug treatment.

Question 7

is there any evidence milk thistle can help promote liver well being and maybe reduce isolated alt raise of unknown origin ? (no hep, ebv, meds etc)

Accepted Answer

Milk Thistle: While milk thistle is used all over the world for liver health there is no western scientific proof that it does provide healing.  I still often recommend it to my patients despite this.

Question 8

can i take milk thistle while taking xarelto?

Accepted Answer

Xarelto: No documented contraindication, but be careful and vigilante

Question 9

as i know people consume mature milk thistle seeds, it is safe to eat immature milk thistle seeds in the right doses?

Accepted Answer

: There is no good data on safety of thistle seeds young or old. You are playing a game I call "you bet your life" on supplements which can have anything the maker wishes to put in them to make you feel better.  And some include such goodies as mercruy, arsenic, viagra or steroids. Beware.

Question 10

is it okay for me to take milk thistle even though i am allergic to ragweed?

Accepted Answer

Good question!: Both milk thistle and ragweed are in the asteraceae botanical family.  While this might be enough to increase the chance they share common allergens, i was unable to find information in the scientific literature that the allergy to one increased risk to the other.  Since information is lacking, be cautious and use the expertise of an allergist.  A skin test might be helpful or a stepwise challenge.

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Doctor answers about:

Does milk thistle increase estrogen levels

A member asked:

Does herbal supplementation of milk thistle increase estrogen?

A member asked:

Is it safe for breast cancer survivor to use silymarin supplement found in artichoke and milk thistle? i found some info that it affects estrogen.

A member asked:

Suspected that i have gilberts syndrome. can taking milk thistle daily help to normalize high bilirubin levels in the blood?

A member asked:

Will fenugreek and milk thistle increase my milk supply if it is getting really low for my 8 month old? i am afraid if mot producing enough.

A member asked:

I read that milk thistle will not let prednisone get metabolized and will build it up in your blood to toxic levels. is that true?

A member asked:

I have been diagnosis and got fatty liver. my alt(sgpt) is 92, lipid & glucose e okay! which is quiet high level. what will i do now? dr prescribed these medicines: viusid, epaset, milk thistle & urcodil 300mg. are these medicine okay?

A member asked:

Is there any evidence milk thistle can help promote liver well being and maybe reduce isolated alt raise of unknown origin ? (no hep, ebv, meds etc)

A member asked:

Can i take milk thistle while taking xarelto?

A member asked:

As i know people consume mature milk thistle seeds, it is safe to eat immature milk thistle seeds in the right doses?

A member asked:

Is it okay for me to take milk thistle even though i am allergic to ragweed?

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