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Graves' Disease and Milk Thistle

Dec 12, 2011 | By Andrea Cespedes

Graves’ disease is the single biggest cause of hyperthyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid gland secretes too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms include heart palpitations, diarrhea, insomnia and weight loss. In “Clinical Naturopatheic Medicine,” Leah Hechtman notes that liver abnormalities also often occur in hyperthyroid patients. Milk thistle is a supplement used to support liver function, and thus may be of value to patients with Graves' disease. However, no scientific research supports the use of milk thistle to treat Graves' disease. You should always check with your physician before trying any supplement.

Graves' Disease

Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped organ located around your voice box in the throat. It secretes thyroid hormones that affect multiple functions in the body, including your metabolism. If you have Graves' disease, your body produces too much thyroid hormone, which potentially causes irritability, anxiety, weight loss despite a voracious appetite, enlargement of the thyroid gland, and eye problems. You may also experience tremors and diarrhea. Although MayoClinc.com notes that Graves' disease is not usually considered life-threatening, it can compromise your quality of life.

Thyroid and Liver

The thyroid gland and the liver have a complex relationship. Thyroid hormone affects the metabolic rate of all cells, including those in the liver. If you have hyperthyroidism from Graves' disease, it could negatively affect your liver function. A study by M. Biscoveanu and S. Hasinski that was published in the September-October 2000 issue of “Endocrine Practice” found that abnormal liver function test results are common in Graves' disease patients.

Milk Thistle

Used as an alternative medicine for thousands of years, milk thistle is primarily administered to treat conditions of the liver, kidneys and gall bladder. Milk thistle contains a flavenoid called silymarin, which has antioxidant properties that help to combat free radicals that cause disease in the body. Silymarin may be particularly effective in enhancing the antioxidant and cleansing capacity of the liver. Although some evidence shows that milk thistle is effective in treating liver conditions, more research is needed, notes MayoClinic.com and the University of Maryland Medical Center. Milk thistle may help protect people with Graves’ disease against liver disease, but no scientific research supports this theory. Milk thistle may also be used to treat eye problems related to Graves’ disease, but there is also no scientific research that supports this use.

Considerations

You should be under the care of a doctor if you suspect that you have liver disease or Graves’ disease. Although milk thistle is generally regarded as a safe supplement, it should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding moms or people with a history of breast, uterine and prostate cancer. You should always speak with your doctor before adding any supplement.

References

Article reviewed by TimDog Last updated on: Dec 12, 2011

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