Effects of Natural Products on Laboratory Values

Effects of Natural Products on Laboratory Values

The use of natural products has increased significantly, but to date, their preparation is unregulated. Their actions can affect normal and abnormal physiological processes as well as interact with prescription medications. Their presence in the body, alone or in combination with over-the-counter products or prescription medications, may physiologically affect the intended target or cause analytical interference in such a way that the test result is affected. For this reason, it is important to note their use. The natural products listed here are contraindicated or are recommended for use with caution in patients with body system disorders or patients taking medications for these disorders. The requesting health-care provider (HCP) and laboratory should be advised if the patient is regularly using these products so that their potential effects can be taken into consideration when reviewing results.

This list is not all-inclusive. Questions regarding the potential benefits and contraindications of natural products should be referred to the appropriate HCP. As a general recommendation, natural products and nutraceuticals are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

NATURAL PRODUCTS THAT MAY AFFECT CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS OR INTERACT WITH THERAPEUTICS (INCLUDING HYPERTENSION AND HYPOTENSION)

Natural Products

  • Adonis
  • Aloe
  • Bromelain
  • Buckthorn
  • Cascara
  • Chinese rhubarb
  • Coleus
  • Dong quai
  • Elder
  • Ephedra
  • Ergot
  • Frangula
  • Garlic
  • Ginseng
  • Goldenseal
  • Green tea (with caffeine)
  • Henbane
  • Horsetail
  • Lily of the valley
  • Ma-huang
  • Reishi
  • Senna
  • Squill
  • Tylophora
  • Valerian
  • Yohimbe bark

NATURAL PRODUCTS AND NUTRACEUTICALS THAT MAY AFFECT ENDOCRINE DISORDERS OR INTERACT WITH THERAPEUTICS

Natural Products

  • Bilberry
  • Bitter melon
  • Bladderwrack
  • Blupleurum
  • Bugleweed
  • Echinacea
  • Ephedra
  • Fenugreek
  • Garcinia
  • Garlic
  • Ginseng
  • Goat’s rue
  • Green tea (with caffeine)
  • Guggul
  • Licorice
  • Marshmallow
  • Olive leaf
  • Psyllium
  • Tylophora

Minerals

  • Chromium
  • Nutraceuticals
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone
  • α-Lipoic acid
  • Para-aminobenzoic acid
  • Thyroid extract

NATURAL PRODUCTS AND NUTRACEUTICALS THAT MAY AFFECT GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS OR INTERACT WITH THERAPEUTICS

Natural Products

  • Bromelain
  • Cascara
  • Chinese rhubarb
  • Dandelion
  • Psyllium
  • Senna

Nutraceuticals

  • Betaine hydrochloride

NATURAL PRODUCTS AND NUTRACEUTICALS THAT MAY AFFECT GENITOURINARY DISORDERS OR INTERACT WITH THERAPEUTICS

Natural Products

  • Aloe
  • Arabinoxylane
  • Bladderwrack
  • Buckthorn
  • Cascara
  • Chinese rhubarb
  • Dandelion
  • Echinacea
  • Ephedra
  • Ergot
  • Frangula
  • Ginseng
  • Guarana
  • Horse chestnut
  • Horsetail
  • Licorice
  • Parsley oil (high doses)
  • Saw palmetto
  • Senna
  • Stinging nettle
  • White oak
  • White willow

Nutraceuticals

  • Creatine
  • Modified citrus pectin

NATURAL PRODUCTS AND NUTRACEUTICALS THAT MAY AFFECT BLEEDING DISORDERS OR INTERACT WITH THERAPEUTICS

Natural Products

  • Arnica
  • Astragalus
  • Bilberry
  • Bromelian
  • Cat’s claw
  • Cayenne
  • Coleus
  • Cordyceps
  • Devil’s claw
  • Dong quai
  • Evening primrose
  • Feverfew
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Gingko
  • Ginseng
  • Grape seed
  • Green tea (with caffeine)
  • Guggui
  • Horse chestnut
  • Papaya
  • Red clover
  • Red yeast rice
  • Reishi
  • Turmeric
  • White willow

Nutraceuticals

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
  • Fish oils (the omega-3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA)

NATURAL PRODUCTS AND NUTRACEUTICALS THAT MAY AFFECT HEPATOBILIARY DISORDERS OR INTERACT WITH THERAPEUTICS

Natural Products

  • Alkanet
  • Alpine ragwort
  • Coltsfoot
  • Comfrey
  • Dusty miller
  • Forget-me-not
  • Germander
  • Groundsel
  • Olive leaf
  • Parsley oil (large doses)
  • Pennyroyal
  • Peppermint
  • Ragwort
  • Red yeast rice
  • Sweet clover
  • White oak
  • White willow

Nutraceuticals

  • Creatine

NATURAL PRODUCTS AND AMINO ACIDS THAT MAY AFFECT IMMUNE DISORDERS OR INTERACT WITH THERAPEUTICS

Natural Products

  • Astragalus
  • Black cohosh
  • Echinacea
  • Saw palmetto

Amino Acids

  • Arginine

NATURAL PRODUCTS THAT MAY AFFECT RESPIRATORY DISORDERS OR INTERACT WITH THERAPEUTICS

Natural Products

  • Artichoke
  • Cayenne
  • Chamomile
  • Cordyceps
  • Echinacea
  • Feverfew
  • Garlic
  • Peppermint oil
  • White willow