Is Milk Thistle a Cardioprotective Ally or a Thrombotic Threat?

The supplement milk thistle has been known to have estrogen-mimicking effects, raising the concern for a possible factor contributing to venous thrombosis.

We present a case of a 41-year-old male of Caucasian descent who presented to our clinic with a deep vein thrombosis with no known provoking factors or underlying hypercoagulable etiologies, occurring in the context of milk thistle use. Thorough workup was performed, and all results were negative. Following a multidisciplinary discussion and literature reviews, it was determined that the patient's deep vein thrombosis was possibly associated with the use of milk thistle.

Understanding the provoking factors contributing to venous thrombosis is essential for effective management and prevention of recurrence. We provide a comprehensive review of the latest evidence on milk thistle's potential association with thrombosis and its roles in cardiovascular health.

Milk thistle's complex cardiovascular effects and estrogenic activity highlight the need for multidisciplinary care and further clinical trials.