Hawthorn And Thyroid Medications

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers have not thoroughly investigated how hawthorn interacts with thyroid medication or other prescription drugs. Even if hawthorn does not interact with your thyroid medication, it can still interfere with a thyroid-regulating hormone. For that reason, you should not use hawthorn if you have been diagnosed with thyroid disease. Always consult your physician before taking any supplements.

Hawthorn

For centuries, natural healers have used the leaves, flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant to treat heart ailments, indigestion and kidney problems. You can purchase hawthorn in capsule or tablet form, and as a liquid extract. The herb is generally safe, but the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine advises against its long-term use. Although rare, you may experience side effects from hawthorn, such as dizziness, nausea and headache.

Vitexin

Hawthorn contains vitexin naturally. Vitexin is a type of flavonoid, which is an antioxidant produced by plants. Antioxidants help your body fight disease and cell damage, but vitexin also interferes with thyroid peroxidase, or TPO, which is an enzyme that plays a key role in how your thyroid functions. Researchers believe that antioxidants are the active ingredient in hawthorn. Some manufacturers develop hawthorn formulations that are especially high in vitexin.

Bladderwrack

Some hawthorn formulations contain bladderwrack, a type of seaweed. Herbalists use bladderwrack to treat an underactive thyroid or an enlarged thyroid. According to the National Toxicology Program, bladderwrack contains iodine, which, at high levels, can cause hyperthyroidism. If you have been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid, iodine may interfere with the effectiveness of your medication, including methenamine mandelate, potassium iodide and methimazole.

Concerns

Pregnant women and children should not take hawthorn, according to biochemist Holly Phaneuf, author of "Herbs Demystified." If you have a thyroid condition and still wish to take hawthorn, purchase preparations that focus on proanthocyanidins rather than vitexin. When you ask your doctor about hawthorn, make certain to provide information about any other supplements or drugs you are currently taking. Many doctors are open to the use of complementary medicine and can provide direction.