Should I stop herbs prior to beginning HRT?

[Emily-G]

Hello Everyone,

I will hopefully begin hrt this month but I am wondering about the initial blood test. I've been taking several herbs daily for a few weeks, do I need to quit those prior to going to the doctor?

I know the herbs are having some effect because my sex drive is down a lot, which is a relief. But I don't want the doctor to postpone hormones to get a more accurate idea where my natural t and e levels are.

But if it's not a big deal, I'd like to keep taking my placebos until that day! 

[Ms Grace]

I was taking herbs prior to my first endo visit and blood test - the herbs and their effect on my hormonal biology didn't even register in the blood work. I guess it depends on what you are taking and how much (I was using teas rather than tablets) but overall they are fairly ineffective. All the same, if you want your doctor to have a reasonable understanding of what's going on for you it might be an idea to stop them before, or at least let them know that you are using them (that's what I told mine).

[JS UK]

I was taking phytoestrogens and my doctor delayed my initial blood test for a month so that they would have left my system.

J xx

[Emily-G]

Hmm.

I've been taking  and about 2500 mg of Saw Palmetto daily. I'm not sure if that'll register, but I would be devastated if I had to wait another month.

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