I started taking 275 mg milk thistle extract twice per day hoping to get liver enzyme values down after taking peginterferon for most of this year. The increase also happened previously from taking hydroxyurea first and anagrelide second which resulted in other bad side effects while treating ET JAK2. Then hematologist had me see a liver specialist. The specialist did nothing but to stop taking drug for 3 months which did bring values down to normal but platelets went up to 1.3M. Reported on this site were positive results from taking milk thistle extract for liver health while taking drugs. I tried it starting in November and as of today’s blood tests have achieved normal enzyme values! I had 2x and 3x values before.Thanks very much for information sharing. Taking advantage of it has made a very positive change in my overall health and removed a concern about peginterferon side effect. Best wishes for a fabulous new year! Stay safe.
milk thistle works!: I started taking 275 mg milk... - MPN Voice
milk thistle works!
great news and very positive. This is a great site for knowledge and experience. Thanks for sharing
I am glad to hear it worked for you too. I was at 3x ULN for LFTs on Besremi. The milk thistle extract brough my LFTs back to normal range.
For anyone considering this or any other coml;imentary health supplement, it is very important to obtain the supplement from a reliable source. Some of what is on the market is worthless.
Thanks for sharing another success. Wishing you more success moving forward.
thank you for reminder about reliable sources, Hunter. I found quite a variety in my search. Your sharing what worked for you is what I bought and have used successfully. Starting turmeric next week, having delayed to help trouble shoot had milk thistle caused any surprises. It has not so expanding my use of supplements for another proven aid. Also pleased my hematologist has been supportive since I brought up the topic in November. So another example of importance of speaking up. Thank you.
Mishie14,
Glad to hear that you are getting such good results with milk thistle.
While I was taking turmeric supplements, I was really sad to be given this article below about its adverse effects 😔 which you also may be interested in: tga.gov.au/news/safety-aler...
Thank you for the article link. It's got good information to provide a background. There are risks and as always we must consider them. When I brought up milk thistle and turmeric to hematologist, her response was start with milk thistle as I requested and wait on turmeric so if there were any issues arising, we could better tell which was the cause. Stay safe!
Oh, that is alarming. As a Besremi user who has upon occasion had liver enzymes rise, I use either Milk Thistle or a liver detox formula from my acupuncturist. For inflammation I use curcumin. I will perhaps use this less often or sub in other antiinflammatories, as it is really hard to get valid testimonials on brands. Glad for the sharing of info!
Do you know if milk thistle has an affect on more cases of liver problems than those caused by some drugs?
Hi, Scaredy_cat. What attracted me to it were reality comments on this site. Milk thistle's silymarin composition has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to detoxify the liver no matter what the cause. For some it does not help in any way. I found online little info about bad effects of taking it so I decided to try it at a relatively low dose to see what would happen. I remain on lower dose with good results. Sorry, I cannot answer your question directly. Taking supplements other than vitamins is a new area for me to explore. Stay safe!
Hello,
Thank you so much for all of the information. Do you mind sharing the brand of the one you use? Quality of ingredients is definitely important.
Thank you,
Angela
For the milk thistle extract, I use Silymarin, made by Pure Encapsulations. I currently take 2 - 250mg caps once/day. This formulation is available from a variety of sources, including Amazon.
I have had similar positive experiences with milk thistle. My liver enzymes went to 2x and 3x normal after starting Peg. Also stopped for about 6 weeks and values came down. Asked my MPN specialist and my GP about milk thistle and both said "it couldn't hurt" (weren't so sure it was going to help). So started it and enzymes started to fall and within about 4 months were back in normal range.
Congratulations! More good news to end this year on. Also interesting you had to raise the milk thistle topic and your care team was sympathetic to using it vs stopping treatment. Another example of progress in opening minds. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes for your MPN journey. Stay safe!
Mishie14,
Thank you for sharing your results with milk thistle. Can you tell me the brand you are taking. Dosage? Here is a cheer for your continued success!
Yes please. Supplement buying is such a minefield!
Thank you, DiveGoddess! Key for me is milk thistle standardized extract. The only ingredient on the Supplement Facts label is milk thistle extract, sylium marianum (seed). There are 'other ingredients' noted that make it a consumable form only. Also noted is do not take if allergic to ragweed or daisy-like flowers. The brand I take is Nature's Bounty Milk Thistle 175 mg Standardized Extract capsules twice per day with food. That is the lowest dose I could find. There are higher doses up to 1,000 mg as there is no recommended daily amount. The lowest price in my US Michigan area is at Wal-Mart but also found in local drug stores that carry Nature's Bounty brand. Please be sure to check with your care team to advise if you choose to take a supplement like this. Hopefully you will get support to try it out. Stay safe!
Mushier this is great news I have PV with Jak2 and am on peg interferon injection’s weekly and 500mg Hydroxycarbamide daily. My LFTs have started going up and now my GP wants to see me next week . I’m seeing my Haematologist mid January so will discuss with them about going on Milk thistle tablets to see if it helps Thanks for your posting this info I hope it helps lots of others too
Hi, this is really positive news. What brand would you recommend please? 😊
Hi, Geminimumof5. Key for me is milk thistle standardized extract. The only ingredient on the Supplement Facts label is milk thistle extract, sylium marianum (seed). I'm in US Michigan. The brand I take is Nature's Bounty Milk Thistle 175 mg Standardized Extract capsules twice per day with food. That is the lowest dose I could find. Please check with your care team to advise if you start taking supplements. Stay safe!
Thank you ☺️
hi that’s good news. Can you share what dosage and where you source it from ? I’m in uk.
Thanks
Hi, Sanga and thank you. I'm in US Michigan so expect brands don't cross the ocean. The brand I take in US is Nature's Bounty Milk Thistle 175 mg Standardized Extract capsules twice per day with food. That is the lowest dose I could find. Key for me regardless of brand is it needs to be milk thistle standardized extract. The only ingredient is milk thistle extract, sylium marianum (seed). There are 'other ingredients' involved only to make it a consumable capsule. Also noting the US brand bottle is marked to not take if allergic to ragweed or daisy-like flowers. Best wishes to you. Stay safe!
Great to hear such positive news - my other half has been taking Milk Thistle since 1992 after some dodgy readings from the liver. Great stuff!!
WOWZA! I am so happy to know this and for the goodness this supplement has done for your other half. You have boosted my confidence even higher. Thank you, Richinspirit! Stay safe.
wonderful news! See you’re in the US. I’m in the UK but wondered if you’d share the brand you use please. X
Hi, SarahPV. Copying response to another UK buddy as follows:
I'm in US Michigan so expect brands don't cross the ocean. The brand I take in US is Nature's Bounty Milk Thistle 175 mg Standardized Extract capsules twice per day with food. That is the lowest dose I could find. Key for me regardless of brand is it needs to be milk thistle standardized extract. The only ingredient is milk thistle extract, sylium marianum (seed). There are 'other ingredients' involved only to make it a consumable capsule. Also noting the US brand bottle is marked to not take if allergic to ragweed or daisy-like flowers. Be sure to update your care team if you choose to take it. Best wishes to you. Stay safe!
thank you for sharing, it’s great when people post updates. It prompts those who maybe didn’t require it then but do now to give it a try.
Hi there, my liver enzymes has been higher than normal the last 3 months and I have been having terrible rashes on my thigh and slowly spreading. Dr suggested may be the hydrea I've been taking. But I've been taking hydrea for 4.5 years and had no trouble. Antihistamines don't work on my rashes at all. My chinese dr said that's because my liver nit functioning properly dye to the stress I've been having through looking my terminal ill sister the last 11 months. If its fine to take milk thistle while on hydrea, that would be great. Thanks for your information. Have a healthy New Year.
Thank you, Lifam. You do have a lot on your mind and such stress and anxiety can definitely contribute to our MPN symptoms. I did not take milk thistle while on hydrea so cannot confirm but I believe others on this site have and may be able to comment. Thinking of you and hoping some relief comes your way. Stay safe.
I’m really keen to try Milk Thistle as it seems to have had such positive results for some but can’t see any recommendations re best brand to try. I’m in UK…can anyone help?
of course it works! 😃 it’s wonderful that you share your information.
I always squeeze 5 lemons and keep the juice in a small bottle in fridge putting some in my water at every meal. It helps and also keeps the stomach juices nice and strong, guarding me from gastritis. 😉
Check in internet under drugs.com and many other websites regarding the nutrient deficiencies that are caused by any medication that you are taking. Then replenish whatever is being knocked out of your body. You’ll be healing a lot faster and being able to handle your medication a lot better.
it is also going to have a natural Doctor Who will help you with all these. In order to save money, you can find wonderful information through Dr., google Re: natural remedies for whatever your problem is with her orthopedic or organic. After a while, you can really tell if a website is to be trusted or not that’s a very important point!
drjockers.com. I know he’s an osteopath and as every smart person who knows a lot, is organized and who’s getting ahead in life, mini are trying to knock him down. I find the website unbeatable for information for non-doctors like us. I’ve never bought any of his products.
Have a great new year.
Thank you. Do you take the capsules or is it in liquid form? Very interesting.
Pegasys Dosing
Besremi - CBC after the 9th dose at 175 mcg (25mcg lower than previous); no CBC test after the 8th dose
Yearly appointment to my Haem, ET with CALR postive
