Thyrotoxicosis following the use of ashwagandha
van der Hooft, C.S.; Hoekstra, A.; Winter, A.; de Smet, P.A.G.; Stricker, B.H.Ch.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 149(47): 2637-2638
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 16355578 Document Number: 594858
A 32-year-old healthy woman developed thyrotoxicosis while taking capsules that contained ashwagandha herbal extract for symptoms of chronic fatigue. She was not taking any other remedies or medications. During the first few weeks, she took the capsules only occasionally without any symptoms, but after increasing the dose, she experienced clinical symptoms indicative of thyrotoxicosis. This was confirmed by laboratory assessment. The symptoms resolved spontaneously after discontinuation of the ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) capsules and laboratory values normalized. To our knowledge, this relationship has not been reported previously in humans. Data from animal studies, however, have suggested that ashwagandha can increase serum concentrations of thyroid hormones. This case study suggests that thyrotoxicosis is a potentially serious side effect of ashwagandha.