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Is Elevated Liver Enzymes After Having Depakote A Cause For Concern?
Question: Hi, my 5yo son takes depakote (valproic acid) for his epilepsy (resulting from mild cerebral palsy). His liver enzymes are starting to become elevated (along with his MCV and MCH levels on his CBC), but his neurologist seems to think this is ok and there's nothing we need to do about it. However, we would like to try milk thistle seed, and we are also considering a folic acid supplement. I've seen conflicting answers online about whether it's ok to take milk thistle seed while also taking depakote or valproic acid. Could you please clarify this for me? Also, how much is an appropriate amount of folic acid supplement for a 5yo boy, about 20 kg (45 lbs)? Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry..
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.
I can understand your concern.
First of all i would like to suggest that , the parameters are much wider than you are being quoted.
Like normal level of ammonia is 41–80 mcmol/L in childrens.
Normal level of Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) is actually 0-30 IU/L (somewhat higher in male and infant).
So your doctor is correct you need not to worry.
Coming to second part of your question both the things you are considering to give are not neccesary here. But still i would like to provide you with the dose of
folic acid for your 5 years old and it would be 200 micrograms/day.
Milk thistle seed extract is known to have estrogenic effects also there are no ample amount of data on efficacy of the seed which contain silymarin.
So better avoid it in your son.
Hope i helped you.
Get back to me for any further clarification.
Nothing to worry..
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.
I can understand your concern.
First of all i would like to suggest that , the parameters are much wider than you are being quoted.
Like normal level of ammonia is 41–80 mcmol/L in childrens.
Normal level of Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) is actually 0-30 IU/L (somewhat higher in male and infant).
So your doctor is correct you need not to worry.
Coming to second part of your question both the things you are considering to give are not neccesary here. But still i would like to provide you with the dose of
folic acid for your 5 years old and it would be 200 micrograms/day.
Milk thistle seed extract is known to have estrogenic effects also there are no ample amount of data on efficacy of the seed which contain silymarin.
So better avoid it in your son.
Hope i helped you.
Get back to me for any further clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Hi,
Thank you very much, that is reassuring. Can you please tell me if there are any known interactions or adverse effects between depakote/valproic acid and milk thistle? Other than the estrogenic effects and lack of other safety data.
Best wishes
Thank you very much, that is reassuring. Can you please tell me if there are any known interactions or adverse effects between depakote/valproic acid and milk thistle? Other than the estrogenic effects and lack of other safety data.
Best wishes
Brief Answer:
No interaction
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.
As it is herbal medicine it does not interact with most of the medicine.
Valproic acid has not found to be having any interaction milk thistle seeds/silymarin.
Hope i helped you, you can ask more query if you have some or kindly accept the answer.
No interaction
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.
As it is herbal medicine it does not interact with most of the medicine.
Valproic acid has not found to be having any interaction milk thistle seeds/silymarin.
Hope i helped you, you can ask more query if you have some or kindly accept the answer.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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