Hydroxycut Liver Damage Symptoms
Symptoms of Liver and Kidney Injury from Hydroxycut Usage
Liver injury, although rare, was reported by patients at the doses of Hydroxycut recommended on the bottle. Symptoms of liver injury include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) and brown urine. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, itching, and loss of appetite.
What symptoms are generally associated with Hydroxycut-induced injury?
For those experiencing liver failure, the presentation generally involves a sudden onset of cramping and abdominal pain, along with nausea and diarrhea. Weakness and fatigue are generally followed by an onset of jaundice.
For patients who develop rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure, the typical patient presents with muscle pain and weakness. Rhabdomyolysis is generally characterized by muscle necrosis or wasting and associated muscle aches. As the muscle breaks down, the waste bi-products can go to the kidneys and cause inflammation, associated kidney failure and other serious medical conditions, including heart arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.
At the Onder Law Firm, we do not mean this to be a complete list of typical presentations, or relied upon in any way by those experiencing symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms, we would recommend that you immediately present to an emergency room or medical doctor to properly diagnose your condition. Immediate treatment is necessary to reduce long term problems associated with Hydroxycut-induced injury.
Who was affected?
The case studies examined by the United States Food & Drug Administration have primarily involved individuals in the 18-42 year old range.
It has been our experience at the Onder Law Firm that most individuals taking Hydroxycut are relatively health individuals, simply using Hydroxycut at manufacturer recommended doses as part of an exercise and health regiment.
What is it about Hydroxycut that causes liver and kidney injury?
This question has not been fully answered by medical research and the medical community. However, there are three elements contained in some Hydroxycut products which have been known to cause problems.
There have been a growing number of case reports of liver toxicity associated with the weight-loss supplement Hydroxycut, so named because it contains hydroxycitic acid from the tropical fruit Garcinia Cambogia, which is potentially toxic to the liver.
Other medical studies have suggested that the green tea extract Camellia Sinensis is the cause of acute liver injury in the weight-loss supplement Hydroxycut. Indeed, Camellia Sinesis, contained in the weight-loss supplement Exolise (Arkophama, Carros, France) was implicated in liver toxicity in numerous European case reports leading to the product’s withdrawal from the market. Camellia Sinensis has also been associated with acute liver injury in another herbal supplement marketed as The Right Approach (Pharmanex, Provo, Utah).
Still other physicians implicate chromium as the potential cause of problems. Chromium is an essential trace element and co-factor to insulin most commonly occurring in Hexavent (IV) and Trivalent (III) states. The Hexavent form of chromium is found in the dye and leather industry and has been linked to occupational toxicity ranging from Dermatitis to lung cancer.
In 1989, the National Academy of Sciences established an “estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake” range for chromium of 50-200 mg. In 2001, the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences established Dietary Reference Intakes for chromium, ranging from 0.2 mg for infants to a maximum of 45 mg for lactating mothers. There have been case reports of chromium toxicity causing acute hepatitis, thrombocytopenia and renal failure due to both environmental and dietary supplements. Each Hydroxycut serving contains 133 mg of chromium, which is taken three times daily, resulting in accumulative daily consumption greater than twice the National Academy of Science’s maximum safe dose.
In summary, three of the ingredients contained in many Hydroxycut products have been associated with significant medical problems. At the Onder Law Firm, we take pride in the depth of our available medical resources and look forward to evaluating the particulars of your claim to determine the root cause of the problem in your particular situation.
At the Onder Law Firm, we do not mean this to be a complete list of typical presentations, or relied upon in any way by those experiencing symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms, we would recommend that you immediately present to an emergency room or medical doctor to properly diagnose your condition. Immediate treatment is necessary to reduce long term problems associated with Hydroxycut-induced injury.
The FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver damage requiring liver transplant. One death due to liver failure has been reported to the FDA. Other health problems reported include seizures; cardiovascular disorders; and rhabdomyolysis, a type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems such as kidney failure.
“The FDA urges consumers to discontinue use of Hydroxycut products in order to avoid any undue risk. Adverse events are rare, but exist. Consumers should consult a physician or other health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms possibly associated with these products,” said Linda Katz, M.D., interim chief medical officer of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered hospitalization, liver failure, liver transplant, or death as a result of taking Hydroxycut products, fill out our online form or call us toll free at1-866-828-4699.
Onder, Shelton, O'Leary & Peterson, LLC is a St. Louis based law firm handling serious injury and death claims across the country. Its mission is the pursuit of justice, no matter how complex the case or strenuous the effort. Onder, Shelton, O'Leary & Peterson has represented clients throughout the United States, and other firms throughout the nation often seek its experience and expertise on complex litigation. For more information, visit www.onderlaw.com or call (866) 828-4699.
Onder, Shelton, O’Leary & Peterson, LLC
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