Can Saw Palmetto Cause Adrenal Insufficiency?

Adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison's disease, is the syndrome in which your adrenal gland fails to produce the hormone cortisol. In some cases, the adrenal glands may also fail to supply aldosterone, another hormone. The causes for adrenal insufficiency vary, but the herbal supplement saw palmetto is not known to trigger adrenal problems. If you suspect your use of saw palmetto is causing unusual symptoms, discontinue use and consult your doctor. Similarly, a suspected case of adrenal insufficiency should be immediately reported to your physician, because the disease can have serious effects if left untreated.

CONDITION

Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can include loss of consciousness, low blood sugar, low blood pressure, a craving for salty foods, joint and muscle pain and weakness, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Depending on the progression and severity of the insufficiency, symptoms may appear suddenly or over a long period of time. The Mayo Clinic's website notes that, in the most serious cases, adrenal sufficiency can be life-threatening.

CONCERN

Adrenal insufficiency sometimes arises as a secondary consequence of internal disease or damage. This possibility should not be confused with rare cases of liver or pancreas damage associated with taking saw palmetto, because adrenal insufficiency is unconnected to problems with the liver or the pancreas. Saw palmetto also may decrease the body's production of the hormone estrogen, but although both estrogen and cortisol hormones come from your body's endocrine system, they are not interrelated. The hormones involved in adrenal insufficiency come from the adrenal gland while estrogen is produced in females by the ovaries.

PRIMARY CAUSES AND TREATMENT

A number of conditions may trigger damage to the outer layer of the adrenal cortex, leading to primary adrenal insufficiency. The most common cause is autoimmune disease, but injury, infection, cancer or tuberculosis can also lead to Addison's disease. Secondary adrenal insufficiency may arise from sudden cessation of corticosteroid use or because of pituitary gland disease. Depending on which hormones are in low supply, common treatment includes corticosteroid injections or supplements and androgen replacement therapy.

SAW PALMETTO USES

Saw palmetto is used primarily as a "man's herb" because of the disorders it addresses, but some people investigate it for colds, bronchitis, migraines -- and even breast enlargement in women, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The supplements, which come from the fruit of the saw palmetto plant, are rated by the USNLM as "likely effective" for easing the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men, including frequent urination. Some patients also report that it helps pelvic infections, prostate infections and bleeding after prostate surgery.