Milk thistle for PBC?

[krazy-girl]

Was wondering if milk thistle supplements work for PBC? Anyone on them w/o URSO or even with URSO?

[krista10_ro]

Hi! I have taken milk thistle supplements ever since being diagnosed along with ursofalk and significant diet changes. My LFTs are back to normal. I asked my doctor's opinion about it and she encouraged me to take it but was against other herbal remedies. It is hard to prove how much it has helped but it has done me no wrong. My advice is to ask your doctor but ursofalk is certainly the first line of treatment. Milk thistle would be just the extra helper.

[Hidden]

Hello krazy-girl.

I did do my own experimenting with milk thistle about 18 months after starting uso (diagnosed December 2010) and did think it was helping (my LFTs were dropping, they've never got back to normal, not expected but still OK). I then stopped taking the milk thistle for about 6mths and can't say it made a difference at all, the LFTs were still OK. Back when I took milk thistle it was a stronger mg than it became as in the UK regulation changed and it is a licensed product now.

I did take the original pre-licensed milk thistle again after stopping but on comparison to my LFTs over 18mths for me it made no difference at all so I decided it has to be the urso and also how we continue to take care of ourselves that ws probably the contributory factors.

The licensed milk thistle is of little strength I have noticed. Plus the price has shot up considerably. I think personally for it to be of some help it might be better in a higher dose if there is a known liver disorder. I know it is now sold for a sort of cleanse short-term if you've over-indulged.

[Shulsey]

I started taking it when I was first diagnosed in 2012. A good friend of mine said her father, who was diagnosed with PBC in 2000, lived by it. Said that anytime he stopped taking it he'd get sick. I took it with the Urso for a couple of years. I no longer take it & see no difference from when I was taking it, to not taking it. I don't really think it made any difference at all. It might be different for you. You can give it a try, wouldn't hurt you.

Stay strong❣️

Shannon

[Ohio82]

My understanding is milk thistle is a no no for PBC - as always consult your Dr

[bartholomewpatri]

There's also a product called robuvit and it is supposed to keep liver enzymes good. I bought it and am trying it. I do have the milk thistke but notice no changes . I am hoping the robuvit works better.

[ginam]

I take milk thistle and no URSO. I do not consume high fructose corn syrup (I also have fatty liver) and I stay away from processed foods which contain preservatives and other chemicals. Since doing so, I don't itch anymore and my liver function tests have returned to normal

[tomshaw]

I take Milk Thistle and Urso. I'm a 62 year old male, was diagnosed six years ago and have had NO adverse symptoms that I am aware of. My health is good, my bloodwork is good, I just ran every step of the Atlanta Peachtree Road Race 10K footrace yesterday. I don't know if the milk thistle is helping, but it doesn't seem to be hurting me in any way.

Tommy Shaw

[Philippastcarin]

I've been warned against it by my specialist

[Ballymahon2 in reply to Philippastcarin]

My hep is not in favour of milk thistle

[Shulsey]

That's strange how in the UK you are warned against taking Milk Thistle. I've been told by my university heptologist that there isn't any evidence that it helps PBC or hurts it. The only other person I've ever met with PBC took it from point of diagnosis & as far as I know now, still takes it after transplant.

[Mofusdog]

Doctor would not prescribe ursodiol until I had a liver biopsy so I started taking milk thistle. One year later alp etc. numbers were worse. Went to a hepatologist who knew positive AMA equals pbc. Put me on ursodiol. No biopsy needed. After one month numbers are good. I decided to stop taking milk thistle until after the next blood tests to see if there is a difference. Will keep you posted.