This could be quantified by testing the level of estrogen or determining whether the pituitary gonadotropins are suppressed in patients on phytoestrogens. Unfortunately, scientists know very little about whether any of these herbal remedies and other alternative medicines cause interference either in vitro through matrix effects or in vivo with biochemical pathways. Although not generally recommended by physicians in the U.S., physicians in other countries routinely prescribe herbal remedies. The German Health Department s Commission on Herbal Remedies has reviewed over 315 medicinal herbs and claims that two-thirds are safe and effective. However beneficial these herbal medications appear to be, using herbal preparations indiscriminately can be a risky business, particularly for individuals with underlying disorders.
Patients often get the false impression that if it s herbal, it s natural and probably safe.
Furthermore, until hard scientific evidence is presented on the effects of these products on laboratory testing, laboratorians need to be on the alert for unusual and unexplainable test results that could result from the use of herbal medications. Calif. A woman came to her complaining of heavy vaginal bleeding. After a full evaluation, Dr. Grellet came to the conclusion that the patient had put herself on unopposed estrogen by the daily ingestion of two herbs and a lot of soy. Eliminating the herbs and soy from her diet cured the patient of the excessive bleeding. Patients need to understand that taking herbs can be one-dimensional.