Selenium, milk thistle and alfa lipoic acid

[TC55]

Does anybody know if taking selenium, milk thistle, and alfa lipoic acid can be harmful while on interferon and ribavirin treatment? While the HepC virus has been undetected since week 8, Alt and Ast have been "stuck" around 60-70 for the last three months during treatment. Prior to treatment, a capsule containing selenium, milk thistle, and alfa lipoic acid was very effective in getting my Alt and Ast down. Am now in week 24 of treatment, of 48.

I consider starting to take the capsules of the three supplements while still on SOC treatment, hoping that it will nomalize my liver enzyms. Any thoughts, anyone?

[helado1]

I'm not in end stage Cirrhosis yet but do have liver Cirrhosis was diagnosed in 2012. Went into denial and depression and continued drinking for another year and a half. I just recently started Dr Berkson's protocol and started eating right and exercising. The only symptoms I've ever had is bleeding varices twice. I'm not going to waste all my time I've got left on the internet researching it. I'm going to enjoy my life with my family for as long as it lasts. If my hepatologist puts me on the transfer list then I'll sign up and see what happens. Until then see you guys later and enjoy your discussion. Hope you guys live long and prosper !!!!!

[nygirl7]

He actually told me that milk thistle was good but only when you are not on treatment. In fact he was adament about it so I didn't take it. Back in 2005 or so when I started on here it was pretty much a rule of thumb.....things change I guess. I probably should be taking it now!

[buggs1]

these are all liver and immune system friendly as well as treatment friendly

[SusieS2010]

My original doctor told me no milk thistle as well but that was back in the late 90's. Some studies came out a couple of years ago that milk thistle actually has some anti-viral properties and may be a good idea for previous non-responders when they re-treat.

[nygirl7]

My doctor told me the same thing no milk thistle while on treatment. But that is probably an old view now since I treated so long ago.

And Susan is right with all the GMOs and hormones in 90% of all of the food in the grocery store who knows what that is doing.  Why are we the ONLY country in the world that allows this? Ingesting weed killer certainly can't be a good thing for any of us. Why do they have to make money off of killing us slowly when no other country would do it too.

Disgusting.

[Susan_1a_CC]

First off - I advocate following doctors orders.  

I was giving some thought to the question of supplements during treatment and now I'm wondering how supplements can be undesirable during treatment when the number of synthetic chemicals and additives and GMO's in our foods are largely untested and unknown, and illegal in many other countries outside the US.  Just doesn't make rational sense to me.  

[copyman]

My Hepatologist told me to stop ALL supps while treating. Why take the chance of them jeopardizing the treatment.

[Susan_1a_CC]

The three supplements you'e mentioned along w/ a number of others were all okayed in the study I'm in.  However, I am not on alpha interferon and can not speak for any difference that may exist there.  Good luck.

[Trish77]

While on treatment, killing the virus and your PCR results are key.  It's also important to have purity of results.  Your ALT and AST are not completely irrelevant while on treatment, as a rise in ALT and AST is also an indicator of autoimmune disease as well and AIH in particular.  It's rare but it can happen and a rise in ALT and AST is one of the indicators.  One autoimmune disease can increase the chance of another so if you've already got thyroid issues or something, then keeping an eye on ALT and AST is prudent, without overly alarming yourself and keeping in mind there are other things that make ALT and AST fluctuate or go up at times. While on treatment, I'd keep the variables to a minimum so that if there are any changes or concerns, it's easier to pinpoint any underlying or contributing factors. So while it might not hurt...it might not help enough to make it worth including either.  Just my penny's worth.

Good luck with this.  

Trish

[almawe]

by cbw36, 36 minutes ago
I just started taking ala and have noticed
my urine smells similar to when ingesting asparagus. Is it just me or have you noticed this too?

Yes, l had that as well when l was taking ala!

[HectorSF]

Treatment trials have not included these supplements. Who knows how they might effect treatment. Surely to start treatment for hepatitis C and then put in unknown factors seems ill conceived to me. The purpose of starting treatment is to eliminate the virus so that you will be virus free afterwards. What does it matter if your enzymes are higher than you want them to be? It doesn't change the fact that you have hepatitis C. Only treatment will be able to cure that. Not supplements or even having normal enzymes levels. Who knows what your odds of SVR if you add these supplements? How would you feel if you experienced a viral breakthrough or relapse? You would never know if it have something to do with adding these supplements?

As Will said, ALT and AST are irrelevant to treatment. All they show is that something is damaging your liver. We already know you have hepatitis C and hepatitis does injure the liver. They are indicators of an underlining condition they are not something that should be modified for some reason. If you achieve SVR then your enzymes should return to within norms.

Good luck on the next 24 weeks!
Hectorsf

[paen53]

My LFT's stayed elevated throughout tx and even went up towards the end. My Dr. wasn't too concerned saying that as much as the meds can help us, they are very potent and can cause more stress to the liver during tx. But even after tx and an SVR, they were slow to drop - now at one year post they still remain in the 30's, but lowest they've been in many a year and moving in the right direction. I would think that unless they take a steep hike (100's +) that the increase isn't much of an issue. Now if they go after post tx, that's another story......

I took MT during tx per Dr's recommendations (175 mg 3x per day) and don't know what role it played - if any - in finishing tx or getting UND, but it apparently didn't hurt. I have ceased taking it post tx mainly cuz I was so tired of pills, but am seriously considering starting again to help stabilize my liver (cirrhosis here).

Hey, congrats on the half way point!!  Pam

[James10500]

Yes, it was ok to use. But it makes no difference in ALT #'s or viral load.  Which means if you ALT numbers went down pre tx it was one of the two other ingredients. Or the numbers went down on there own, as they do fluctuate.

Bottom line is glad they did, and my best to you HCV warrior.

[TC55]

Guess you're right. No doc that I have asked, has so far been able to answer to this. Maybe I should play it safe, and wait until Tx is finished.

[cbw36]

by cbw36, 36 minutes ago
I just started taking ala and have noticed
my urine smells similar to when ingesting asparagus. Is it just me or have you noticed this too?

[willbb]

  These supplements may or may not have a bearing on enzyme reduction..however enzymes can fluctuate for many reasons,and they are really nothing more than a marker anyway ,to let a physician know something is usually adversely affecting the liver ... therefore, releasing  enzymes.....however the goal of treatment is to eradicate the virus which in your case since week 8 it is doing... you may be wasting time and money worrying about enzymes right now.... Would it not seem beneficial  and certainly less costly to just do the treatment drugs for now . and at the end of treatment see how the enzymes are.  and if still elevated then look for a cause.?   just my cent worth.

[SusieS2010]

My NP has me on milk thistle, alpha lipoic acid and lecithin and says she keeps all her patients who are treating on these things. I'm going to do as she says as I figure it can't hurt.

[Bali05]

It is a personal decision if you want to try those supplements on tx.
Nobody can tell if it is right or wrong for you.

[Bali05]

Not sure about PegIntron.
There is a lot going on in your liver with the meds.
The fact that your enzymes are "stuck"  at those levels
makes me think it is the meds and not something like auto immune hepatitis ect...

[TC55]

My hep-doc doesn't know the answer to this question. I don't think any doc does. Like I wrote, taking these capsules w/ selenium/silymarin/ala have been very beneficiary on my Alt and Ast numbers before I started treatment.

[TC55]

According to your link, silymarin (milk thistle) seems to be in the clear as far as harmful in combi w/ interferon/riba. I have difficulties believing that selenium should pose a threat. That leaves ala the one questionable supplement.

[Proactive]

I guess my question is why are you taking selenium, milk thistle, and alfa lipoic acid  while on treatment? Is this under advisement of your hepatologist?

[cbw36]

I just started taking ala and have noticed
my urine smells similar to when ingesting asparagus. Is it just me or have you noticed this too?

[cbw36]

I just started taking ala and have noticed
my urine smells similar to when ingesting asparagus. Is it just me or have you noticed this too?