Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 11/10/2008

Question
Hi there!

I had taken Dong Quai about 2 weeks ago; after two days, I was so hyper and active I could not sleep...apparently the Dong Quai was not too good for me, so I discontinued it. It lasted for about a good 4-5 days before my body got back to normal to sleeping, and my heart beat less hard, etc. I had an EKG done for my heart and all was normal, I had bloodtests done before taking it (thrydoig and vitamins, and thyroid was all good). I did this for standard testing since my dad has thyroid problem and my grandma...so far its normal.

My question is, because I took Dong Quai and I heard it can be used for thyroid regulation among other things, could it have altered my thrydoig and caused me to feel how I did? Can the Dong Quai permanently affect the thyroid, even after only 2 days of use? I'm still not back to 100%, but I can sleep normal now, my heart rate is normal as is my pulse (I occasionally feel one beat hard than another or maybe its my stress causing it), but I'm stressing myself worrying why I have not fully gotten back to normal.

Also, I have gotten off the pill about 3-4 weeks ago and took this Dong Quai about 2 weeks ago...could these "exaggerated" symptoms of not feeling up to par be caused by getting of the pill as well after 3 years of being on it?

Answer
Hello Eva,
Thanks for writing again.  As you mention, Dong quai may affect the thyroid, but having lasting effects is unlikely if you were taking a safe dosage.  If you had an adverse reaction to it, and did some follow up blood tests after that, it should be apparent on the tests if something was grossly abnormal.  There are numerous reasons why you may have irregular beats--from stress to heart conditions to thyroid--so again if these persist it is wise to investigate them in person with your doctor.  As far as the interaction with birth control pills, it would not be likely since you were not taking them at the same time.  But there are typically nutrients that get depleted while taking BCPs, such as B vitamins.  These also play a large role in stress management in the body, so it's possible that an imbalance might be playing a role in what you are experiencing now.  
In health,
Dr Conner