Can I take milk thistle while taking levothyroxine?

[JanetR05]

I have been taking milk thistle but have today for the first time been asked if I am on any meds from the doc, of course I said yes and so was advised to ask the doctor or pharmacist if it interacts with my prescribed medication. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it.

[PinkNinja]

I have a friend who was advised by her doctor (in Australia) to take milk thistle to aid liver cleansing as that is supposed to help conversion of T4 to T3. I don't know whether she has been advised correctly though. It certainly doesn't appear to be doing her any harm.

I think there is an issue with Milk thistle and I think it's to do with iron overload in people with haemochromatosis. If you don't have that condition, you should be fine. In fact some people recommend it for reducing a build up of reverse T3 that can cause problems in some people on levothyroxine.

Here is a link the mentions it. You need to scroll down to the liver cleanse part.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/2...

I hope that helps

Carolyn x

[JanetR05 in reply to PinkNinja]

Thanks Carolyn, it helps loads!

[EmJB]

According to my book "A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin interactions the only herbs known to interact with thyroid hormones are Bugleweed and Lemon balm. Also consumption of Soy products simultaneously with thyroid hormones appears to reduce the absorption of the hormones. Do not take soy within 3 hours of taking medication. I hope this helps.

[JanetR05 in reply to EmJB]

Than you for your help EmJB

[Lorrainebrown in reply to JanetR05]

Hello, do you know what brand of bugleweed and lemon balm I can get please?

Huge thanks

[SpicyLotus in reply to EmJB]

Do not take melatonin either, if you have Hashimoto’s or a hypothyroid condition. It slows down your thyroid, making it further under-active. My doctor told me so.

Calcium and iron interfere with Synthroid or Levothyroxine absorption. Specially in the form of supplements. That's why you should always take thyroid meds on an empty stomach with at least one full glass of water, and you should always wait four hours to take any supplements after taking your med. If you don't, you won't die, but you'll simply be getting a lesser amount of your thyroid med into your system. And you probably know by now, the amount of synthetic thyroid you get in your system, is key to your well being.

Also, try to avoid uncooked cruciferous veggies. Do eat them though, as they are very healthy and have a lot of anti-cancerous properties, but cook them to reduce their goitrogenic effects, which also make your thyroid sleepy.

[foxglove]

I am hypo., take levo and also use milk thistle from time to time. No probs. and can't see that it would affect levo.

[SpicyLotus in reply to foxglove]

So milk thistle is good for your liver, but it has a lot of iron, and iron interacts with the absorption of your thyroid medication. So yes to taking milk thistle and synthroid or levy, but try to space them out, and not take them together. If possible, wait four hours after you take your meds until you take the milk thistle. Again, you won't die from mixing them, but your thyroid med's absorption, will be diminished. It can almost be a rule of thumb, to not mix supplements with levy or synthroid, just wait a few hours, space them out, you want the right amount of thyroid in your body!!!

[SpicyLotus]

Wait four hours to take Milk Thistle after Levothyroxine, otherwise you won't absorb the right amount of thyroid. I obsessively read thyroid books and information, and it's been confirmed by my doctor.

[SpicyLotus]

That makes sense

[Hafa]

HI, I'd be careful, based on this study: academic.oup.com/endo/artic... From my own experience, I find that my liver enzymes are elevated when I am hypo and decrease when my TSH evens out. I've created an Excel doc to show the two test results over time (good visual way to show your indicators, without carrying along a stack of blood test results!) My doctor refuses to see this thyroid - liver connection. I started taking a capsule of milk thistle before lunch every day and within 2 weeks my TSH went from 3.5 to 10. I stopped the milk thistle...