Herbs can impact blood test results in several ways. The problem is that they can provide false results which can have serious health consequences. Herbs may also increase the risk of some health conditions and they can affect any medications you may take. If you are taking herbal supplements, you should inform your doctor before getting any blood work. She may advise you to temporarily forgo taking some supplements in order to get more accurate blood test results or to reduce your risk factors for complications.
Vitamin K and Warfarin
If you are on a blood thinner such as warfarin, you must undergo regular blood testing to measure blood clotting time to ensure that your dosage of warfarin is accurate. Too much can lead to dangerous bleeding, while too little increases the risk of clot formation. Vitamin K has a direct impact on warfarin dosage because of its role in the production of clotting factors. Consuming herbs high in vitamin K can cause serious health consequences, especially in you do not regularly consume them. Your blood test results will be inaccurate and your dosage incorrect. Herbs high in vitamin K include basil, sage and thyme.
Niacin and Liver Damage
Blood tests can detect abnormalities in liver function. Some herbs may increase this risk, especially when taken with niacin. The concern lies in niacin's role in reducing cholesterol. The Mayo Clinic explains that niacin can effectively raise HDL levels to assist in cholesterol's removal from the body. The liver produces cholesterol, which explains the risk of taking herbs with niacin that may do their work too well. Among the herbs to avoid with niacin are borage, kava and red yeast. Liver panel blood may be affected by herb consumption.
Blood Sugar Monitoring
Monitoring your blood sugar is an essential part of managing diabetes. If your blood sugar drops or spikes, it can lead to serious health consequences. Some herbs may directly affect your blood sugar, which can affect the dosage of your diabetes medication. Diabetics will measure blood sugar based on doctor recommendations that may be both before and after fasting. A study by Thames Valley University in the United Kingdom, published in the October 2010 issue of "Diabetic Medicine," found that cinnamon lowered HbA1c by up to 8.22 percent. HbA1c is a blood test that measures average amount of blood glucose over a two to three month period. If you use cinnamon, you may need to make adjustments to your medication based on your blood sugar monitoring results.
Vitamin C and A1c Blood Test
Vitamin C may also affect the A1c test for blood glucose. Herbs high in vitamin C such as cilantro, thyme and parsley contain significant amounts of vitamin C. The concern is that some individuals may use larger quantities of these herbs in cooking, allowing vitamin C to have an impact. The National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program warns that consumption of vitamin C may give false results to the A1c test. Since this blood test is an important part of diabetes management, you should inform your doctor about your vitamin C intake to make any necessary changes to your management plan.
References
- Drugs.com; Warfarin; December 21, 2010
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Data Laboratory
- Mayo Clinic; Niacin to Boost Your HDL, 'Good,' Cholesterol; June 3, 2011
- Medline Plus; Niacin and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3); April 22, 2011
- "Diabetic Medicine"; Glycated Haemoglobin and Blood Pressure-Lowering Effect of Cinnamon in Multi-Ethnic Type 2 Diabetic Patients in the UK: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial; R. Akilen, et al.; October 2010
- NGSP; Factors that Interfere with HbA1c Test Results; April 20, 2010
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