milk thistle

does anyone use this? It is supposed to help keep your liver in good shape. Even though my liver function tests are normal I get worried about it with being on mtx for so long. I looked it up and things, and it seems legit... does anyone know anything much about it or have you asked your doc?

I haven't asked the doc but, I heard the samething about the milke thistle and haven't found anyone to confirm nor deny it's effects. 

I can spend some time researching if you want me too. 

thanks- I looked on pubmed, because I have access to a lot of medical journals that they have on there through my work, and it SEEMS like its useful. But, I thought the same thing about fish oil and then found out that the dose you'd have to take to get the effects from the studies was humongous. I was just kind of wanting a real-world check on it. But, it also seems like at the very least it doesn't do anything bad, so I'm pretty intrigued...

When I was on oral mtx for over 15 years, I took milk thistle religiously. I never had any issues with my liver, and while I don't know if the thistle helped with that, I'm sure it didn't hurt!  It's gentle on your stomach, there are no harmful side effects that I'm aware of, and my rheumie okayed it. Now that I'm taking mtx by injection, not as much of it goes through my liver so I haven't been taking the thistle and my bloodwork remains good.

Bottom line is, it won't hurt, it may help, it's not expensive, so I'd say go ahead and take it just for the peace of mind.

Previously wrote:

does anyone use this? It is supposed to help keep your liver in good shape. Even though my liver function tests are normal I get worried about it with being on mtx for so long. I looked it up and things, and it seems legit... does anyone know anything much about it or have you asked your doc?

I also have Celiac Disease, so I've worked with a nutritionist over the years. One of the things she suggested I use was a liver detox pill which contained Milk Thistle.  She told me that research shows Milk Thistle works so I take these pills, figuring any little bit to protect against the damage caused by the MTX is well worth it.