Why You Must Tell Your Doctor About Supplements and Herbal Remedies

Every year, millions of people in the U.S. take supplements - vitamins, fish oil, turmeric, garlic pills, St. John’s wort, and more. Many believe these are harmless because they’re ‘natural.’ But here’s the truth: supplements can be just as powerful - and dangerous - as prescription drugs. And if your doctor doesn’t know you’re taking them, you’re risking your health.

Most People Don’t Tell Their Doctors - But They Should

Only about one in three people who take herbal or dietary supplements tell their doctor. That’s not just a gap in communication - it’s a safety hole. Studies show that even people with chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure - who are often on multiple medications - still keep their supplement use quiet.

Why? Because patients assume their provider won’t care. Or worse, they think their doctor will judge them. Some believe supplements are ‘just food’ and don’t count as medicine. Others worry their doctor will tell them to stop. But here’s what really happens when you don’t speak up: you’re flying blind.

What Happens When Supplements Mix With Medications

St. John’s wort, a popular herb for mild depression, can make birth control pills fail. That’s not a rumor - it’s a documented interaction. The same herb can also reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners, antidepressants, and even some cancer drugs. Turmeric, often taken for joint pain, can increase bleeding risk if you’re on warfarin or aspirin. Garlic supplements? They can thin your blood too - and if you’re scheduled for surgery, that’s a serious problem.

One Reddit user shared how they didn’t mention their garlic pills until right before minor surgery. They ended up bleeding excessively. Another person took turmeric for years and only found out it was interfering with their blood pressure meds when their cardiologist finally asked. These aren’t rare cases. They’re predictable.

The FDA doesn’t test supplements for safety before they hit the shelf. Manufacturers don’t have to prove they work or are safe. All they need to do is slap on a label that says: ‘Not evaluated by the FDA. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.’ That’s it. And yet, millions of people trust these products without knowing what’s really inside.

Doctors Aren’t Always Trained to Ask - But They Should

It’s not just patients who are at fault. Only 27% of doctors feel confident talking about supplements. Most medical schools don’t require training on herb-drug interactions. Your doctor might not know that ashwagandha can raise thyroid hormone levels, or that green tea extract can damage your liver when taken with certain statins.

But here’s the good news: when doctors ask directly, disclosure rates jump. One study showed that using a simple five-question checklist during intake - like ‘Are you taking any vitamins, herbs, or supplements?’ - increased patient honesty from 33% to 78%. That’s not magic. That’s just asking.

Providers who specialize in integrative medicine document supplement use in 92% of their records. Primary care doctors? Only 38%. The difference isn’t expertise - it’s habit. If you wait for your doctor to ask, you might wait forever.

How to Talk to Your Provider - Without Fear

You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be honest. Bring your bottles. Yes, literally. Take a photo of the label on your phone, or bring the actual container to your appointment. That way, your provider can see the exact ingredients, dosages, and brand. Many supplements contain hidden additives or inconsistent amounts of active compounds. Labels are your best tool.

Don’t say: ‘I take some herbs.’ Say: ‘I take 500 mg of turmeric twice a day for my knees, and I’ve been on it for two years.’ Be specific. Name the supplement. Tell them how often and why you started. If you’re not sure what’s in it, say so. That’s okay.

And if your provider brushes you off? Push back. Say: ‘I’ve read that this can interact with my blood pressure meds. Can we check?’ Most providers will appreciate the initiative. In fact, 78% of patients who disclosed their supplement use said their provider gave them helpful advice - and 63% felt more trusted afterward.

What You Should Tell Your Provider - Even If It Feels Small

You don’t need to wait for your annual checkup. Tell your provider anytime you start or stop a supplement. Especially if:

• You’re starting a new prescription
• You’ve had a recent change in how you feel (fatigue, dizziness, nausea)
• You’re scheduled for surgery or a procedure
• You’re pregnant or planning to be
• You’re taking more than three medications

Even ‘harmless’ things like melatonin, magnesium, or vitamin D can interact. Melatonin can affect blood pressure meds. Magnesium can reduce the absorption of antibiotics. Vitamin D in high doses can raise calcium levels dangerously if you have kidney disease.

And don’t forget about over-the-counter products. Some cough syrups, cold pills, and even energy drinks contain herbal extracts you might not realize are supplements.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters Beyond Your Appointment

Supplement use isn’t going away. In 2022, Americans spent over $55 billion on them. There are more than 85,000 products on the market. The FDA can only act after harm is done - and even then, they only hear about 1% of adverse events.

That means the system is broken. But you have power. By speaking up, you’re not just protecting yourself. You’re helping your provider make better decisions for everyone. When patients report interactions, it adds to the real-world data that eventually leads to better warnings, labeling, and guidelines.

And if your provider doesn’t know how to respond? That’s not your fault. But it’s your opportunity. Ask them to check the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health’s database. Suggest they use a tool like MyMedList, an app shown to improve disclosure accuracy by 44% in a recent trial.

What to Do Today

You don’t need to wait for your next appointment. Start now:

1. Look at every supplement, herb, or vitamin you take. Write down the name, dose, and why you take it.
2. Take a photo of each bottle or bring them to your next visit.
3. Ask your provider: ‘Do you know how this might interact with my other meds?’
4. If they say ‘I don’t know,’ ask if they can look it up - or if they can refer you to someone who can.
5. Update your list every time you start or stop something - even if it’s just for a few days.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being safe. Your health isn’t a secret. And your provider isn’t here to judge - they’re here to help you avoid harm.