Reishi is a medicinal mushroom sold as a dietary supplement and long taken as a tonic for vitality and long life. Small, short studies point to modest benefits for tiredness and mood; blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure gains were not borne out. Longer-life claims rest on worm and mouse experiments, untested in people. Side effects are usually mild, but rare liver injury, including one death, has been reported. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ALT and AST | ALT about 7–55 U/L; AST about 8–48 U/L | Liver injury safety check |
| Bilirubin (total) | About 0.1–1.2 mg/dL | Rise with ALT signals significant liver injury |
| Eosinophil count | About 0–500 cells/µL | Hypereosinophilia safety check |
| INR (warfarin users only) | No established target; change from own pre-reishi INR | Change prompts warfarin dose review |
| Fasting glucose or HbA1c (glucose-lowering drug users only) | Fasting glucose about 70–99 mg/dL; HbA1c below 5.7% | Hypoglycemia prompts drug review |
| CA72-4 (only if already monitored for cancer) | About ≤6.9 U/mL | False rise from spore products |
Cadence: Baseline before starting; liver panel at 4–8 weeks, then every 6–12 months; INR within 1–2 weeks of starting or stopping reishi on warfarin; glucose checks during the first 2–4 weeks on glucose-lowering drugs; symptoms reassessed after 8–12 weeks against own baseline