Turmeric Supplement Linked to Near-Fatal Liver Damage
New Jersey Woman’s Health Crisis Highlights Supplement Risks
A routine wellness choice turned into a harrowing medical emergency for a New Jersey woman, who alleges that daily turmeric supplements nearly cost her life due to severe liver damage.
Sudden Illness and Misdiagnosis
Katie Mohan, 57, began experiencing alarming symptoms including fatigue, nausea, and jaundice—yellowing of the eyes. Initial medical evaluations failed to pinpoint the cause of her deteriorating health, leaving her bewildered and increasingly ill.
A Shocking Revelation
After months of escalating symptoms, Mohan discovered a news report detailing a similar case of drug-induced liver injury linked to turmeric supplements. This sparked a critical realization that her own daily regimen might be the culprit.
“I threw [the supplements] out, and I said to myself, ‘I’m wondering if this is what’s causing my symptoms,’” Mohan told NJ.com.
Product Dosage and Recommendations
The turmeric pills Mohan purchased from Costco, manufactured by YouTheory, recommended a daily dose of three pills, totaling 2,250 milligrams. This far exceeds the World Health Organization’s guideline of up to 3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight daily.
Emergency Hospitalization and Critical Condition
Prompted by the article, Mohan sought urgent care and was subsequently admitted to Morristown Medical Center. Doctors identified acute hepatitis and severe liver damage, noting her liver numbers were significantly elevated—”60 to 70 times above the normal limit.” She required intensive treatment, including an antiviral IV drip.
“She was really very sick. Her liver numbers were 60 to 70 times above the normal limit. And she was very yellow.”
—Dr. Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos, NYU Langone
The situation became so dire that transplant evaluation was considered. Mohan recalled fearing, “Am I going to need a liver transplant? Am I going to die?”
Expert Insights on Turmeric Toxicity
Transfer to NYU Langone led to a diagnosis of “acute hepatitis, impending liver failure.” Dr. Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos confirmed that the extensive turmeric intake, potentially combined with piperine (black pepper) in the supplement, likely caused the liver injury.
“He’s like, ‘You essentially poisoned the liver with the turmeric.’ It was the dose combined with the fact that it had that black pepper in it.”
—Katie Mohan
Dr. Pyrsopoulos indicated that his hospital sees three to four cases annually requiring liver transplants due to turmeric poisoning, underscoring the potential danger of high-dose supplements.
Mohan has since been discharged, with her liver enzyme levels gradually improving. She has reported the incident to the Food and Drug Administration, a crucial step in public health surveillance. A recent report by the National Institutes of Health noted that while turmeric offers benefits, adverse effects from high-dose supplements are a growing concern, with liver injury being a significant risk factor (NIH, 2023).
