Effect of Celery Extract on Thyroid Function; Is Herbal Therapy Safe in Obesity?

[helvella]

Interesting case reports (and they are just that - nothing more):

Int J Prev Med. 2019; 10: 55.

Published online 2019 May 6. doi: 10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_209_17

PMCID: PMC6528421

PMID: 31143429

Effect of Celery Extract on Thyroid Function; Is Herbal Therapy Safe in Obesity?

Mohammad Bagher Maljaei,1,2,3,4 Seyedeh Parisa Moosavian,2,3 Omid Mirmosayyeb,2,5 Mohammad Hossein Rouhani,3 Iman Namjoo,3 and Asma Bahreini2

Abstract

Celery (Apium graveolens) is a popular medicinal herb that used conventionally for the treatment of different diseases. This report aimed to demonstrate celery would induce hyperthyroidism after oral celery extract consumption for weight loss. A 36-year-old female patient came to our clinic with blurred vision, palpitation, and nausea. Dietary history showed that she used 8 g/day of celery extract in powder form for weight reduction. Weight loss during 78 days of celery extract consumption was 26 kg. Thyroid function test showed that serum level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 were 0.001 mIU/L and 23 ng/dl, respectively). Grave's and thyrotoxicosis ruled out by other laboratory evaluations. Methimazole 10 mg/day was prescribed. Serum level of TSH was evaluated. The celery extraction intake was discontinued when started treatment with methimazole. Not found any thyroid stimulator (thyroxin and other) in celery extraction. We concluded that observed hyperthyroidism and allergic reaction may be induced by celery extract consumption. Therefore, it is possible that hyperthyroidism may be a side effect of frequent celery extract consumption.

Keywords: Apium graveolens, hypersensitivity, hyperthyroidism, obesity, thyroid gland

Full paper freely available:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ARYA Atheroscler. 2016 Sep; 12(5): 248–249.

PMCID: PMC5403020

PMID: 28458701

Is herbal therapy safe in obesity? A case of Apium graveolens (Celery) induced hyperthyroidism

Hojjat Rouhi-Boroujeni,1 Masih Hosseini,2 Mojgan Gharipour,3 and Hamid Rouhi-Boroujeni4

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Apium graveolens is one of the well-known herbs used for the treatment of different; however, allergic reactions have been reported after its use. This report aimed to demonstrate the A. graveolens induced hyperthyroidism after its oral consumption for weight loss.

CASE REPORT

Mr. A, 48-year-old, with no history of any thyroid diseases, was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism due to daily consumption of 4 g of dried celery leaves for 45 days. After cessation of consumption and treatment with methimazole, the symptoms remitted. Then, the medication was discontinued when the lab tests and ultrasound were normal and indicated the patient’s definite recovery. In 2 months follow up of, he was normal and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T4, T3, anti-TSH receptor, anti thyroperoxidase and antithyroglobulin were in normal ranges.

CONCLUSION

Hyperthyroidism may be induced by consumption celery. Although many studies have reported side effects such as allergic reactions for this herb, this is the first report of hyperthyroidism induced by celery in which the patient recovered after discontinuing the medication. Therefore, it can be assumed that celery induces hyperthyroidism as a side effect of this herb if it is used for a long term.

Keywords: Hyperthyroidism, Celery, Obesity, Case Report

Full paper freely available:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[shaws Administrator]

Just goes to show that sometimes what we eat has side effects we wouldn't previously have thought was possible.

[jgelliss]

Thank you Helvella for another great post. With our being depended on thyroid meds we need to be very careful with vitamins /herbs /food that it doesn't negatively affect our thyroid meds causing us to have either hypo/hyper symptoms.

[LindaC]

Oh my! WoW! What about fresh celery, said to be so good for us?

I've been juicing 1/2 a celery head + half a cucumber [both organic] + a cube of frozen ginger, with a pinch of salt + black pepper to taste - into containers with lids to keep in fridge - works great. Makes enough for x2 drinks daily, [eat at 2.30 + 7.30 pm each day], for 3 days - have it just before eating. No fan of celery - love it now - had no idea about supposed weight loss!?

Now taking only 50 mcg of Cynomel daily as x4 12.5 mcg - used to take 62.5/75 in winter, but 'talked round by an endo' to try reducing. Got down to 37.5 mcg - heart jerking me out of sleep - AS BEFORE the long awaited dx and treatment, Went back to 50 but always concerned re upping again due to long standing heart issues - should never have listened!

But this celery thing is most interesting - my last TFTs were:

October 2020

TSH < 0.05 mu/L [0.3 - 4.5]

FT4 < 1.3 pmol/L [9.5 - 21.5]

FT3 6.1 pmol/L [3.1 - 6.8] - rarely am I within range, generally higher than...

May 2021

TSH < 0.05 mu/L - as above

FT4 < 1.3 - as above

FT3 8.0 - as above - has this risen due to a few months of celery!?

Will keep an eye on this, but since I've had quite higher FT3's before...!?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to LindaC]

Fascinating!

Make sure you take a big pinch of salt with what I posted as well! But it just might be relevant.

[LindaC in reply to helvella]

Sorry, no time to read it - I've been hit with a celery stick! 😅😂😇 xox

It IS 'real'? Who can tell in these times?? 💚🦋

[MichelleHarris]

Well Wow! That backs up that Medical Medium fella 🤷‍♀️

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to MichelleHarris]

I think it does the exact opposite.

So far as I know, he doesn't say that you could end up in hospital with hyperthyroidism.

[MichelleHarris in reply to helvella]

He says to eat Celery x

[LindaC in reply to MichelleHarris]

Seriously, it's amazing... oops, is that 'clammy' feeling really celery!? Who can tell 💚☘️