Before tx I took milk thistle with no problem, but apparently I developed an allergy to it...when I take it now I get full blown allergy symptoms. Anyone else experience that?

Sorry Sandy. I have never taken it.

I have never taken it but do respect Nicole's comments. I may take another look at MT.
I am still waiting to see my Dr. Will be mid May but am busy getting things lined up in the meantime.
Exciting times and all the clinics are very very busy up here

One thing to be aware of is that Milk Thistle can have an effect on the way other medications are metabolized (diuretics for example) so it really is important to do some research.
We don't want to end up doing more damage than good to ourselves.

Very timely article - thanks Kramer - since we were discussing here very recently follow-ups after SVR... Bottom line takeaway for me is that we are being advised not to totally ignore our liver health after SVR.

I have been taking Milk Thistle since I learned about it a couple of years ago... i know it has a marked effect on liver health as we are told to stop taking it while in trials and on tx.

The cynic in my couldn't help noticing the Milk Thistle ad right there to the left of the article. I was associate editor of three magazines in a former life and am very cognizant of the power paid advertisers have on content. This is not to say that MT is not a good idea!

I started taking Milk Thistle when I was dx'ed in 2002 - recommended by my then hepatologist. I am doing tx now and yes, was told to stop taking it, so that tells me it does have benefits for the liver, so you don't want to be taking it while doing tx for HCV. I have managed to stay compensated for a very long time (over 40 years, but 11+ years on MT, and maybe the MT is why. When I am done with tx in mid-May, I will be taking it again (maybe - we'll see - after reading Sandy's comment - I might be allergic to it too).

silybin phytosome

NB
Some doubt has recently been cast on milk thistles influence on the Hepatitis C virus by a study published in the July 2012 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association. This study aimed to determine the effect of milk thistle on liver disease activity in patients with chronic Hepatitis C. The authors concluded that milk thistle did not significantly reduce liver enzyme levels more than placebo and, thus, milk thistle has little impact on the Hepatitis C virus.

Those familiar with the chemistry of milk thistle are not surprised at all about these results because the investigators in this study did not use milk thistle extract in the phytosome form. The molecular composition of milk thistle makes it difficult to be absorbed into liver cells. However, the phytosome form solves this problem by making the supplement easily miscible into cells.

WOW, Kramer! Now THIS is interesting!

That's the crux of Nicole's article

I took MT when I was first diagnosed but before starting treatment I was told I needed to be off of it and not to take it during treatment. I plan to start taking it again after treatment ends.

Thanks for sharing this article Kramer !

My pleasure and glad you found it of interest. I won't start on it now as hopefully treatment will begin in a few months but definitely consider itt once I am done.
Milk Thistle, the "silybin phytosome" type is not easy to find and it seems that is the one that actually is showing some clinical benefits to curbing liver fibrosis; the others I understand are still unproven.

..and yes Milk Thistle in general is contraindicated while on liver treatment.

Personally I'm not gonna take it. I personally feel that a healthy diet with regular exercise does a body far greater good than any 20 supplements can.

Thanks for posting article Kramer. I've been talking M T for over a year &1/2 now. My Capsules also contain dandelion root as well as tumeric. My last labs showed ALT & AST #'s had lowered significantly... Now, I'm not sure if taking 6 capsules per day made that happen..* I do recall my gastro two years ago saying " well, I'm not positive milk thistle helps your liver, however, it can't harm you in small doses. Too much can cause runny stools.. Unpleasant visual, my bad. I will continue it until told not too. Hugs,. Peeps.