What Happens When Your Immune System Loses Control
Your Immune System
- Set of organs, cells, proteins, and other substances that function to prevent infection.
- Houses blood cells called T lymphocytes (T cells) to help protect against harmful substances containing antigens.
- Produces antibodies against antigens to destroy harmful substances such as:
Toxins
Bacteria
Hormones
Viruses
Cancer Cells
Autoimmune Disorders
- There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases that affect a wide range of body parts.
- Affects millions of Americans at all ages.
- Occurs when the body’s immune system cannot distinguish between healthy tissue and harmful antigens attacking healthy tissue.
- Most autoimmune diseases are chronic but can be controlled with treatment.
- Symptoms can come and go. This is referred to as a “flare-up”.
Causes
Exact cause is unknown though scientists suspect the following:
- Microorganisms-Bacteria & Viruses
- Family History – May occur more in people genetically prone to autoimmune disorders
- Smoking
- Female Gender -78% of people who have an autoimmune disease are women
- Environmental Toxins (metals, non-metals, mycotoxins)
- Intestinal Permeability or “leaky gut” (inflammatory diet)
Organs or Tissue Types Affected
- Blood Vessels
- Connective Tissues
- Endocrine Glands – Thyroid, Pancreas
- Muscles/Joints
- Nervous System
- GI Tract
- Skin/Hair
Common Autoimmune Disorders
- Celiac Disease
- Eczema/Psoriasis
- Graves Disease
- Hashimoto Thyroiditis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Raynaud’s Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s/Ulcerative Colitis)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sjögren Syndrome
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Type I Diabetes
- Vitiligo/Alopecia
Symptoms
Vary based on type and location of faulty immune response.
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Joint Pain
- Changes in Bowel Function
- Rash
- Brain Fog
Testing For Autoimmune Disorders
- Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) tests
- Autoantibody tests (TPO, thyroglobulin antibodies, rheumatoid factor/RF)
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) with White Blood Cell Differential (CBC with WBC differential)
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- Urinalysis
- AVISE-Advanced autoimmune lab testing
- Tissue biopsy
Treatment
Treatments depend on disease and symptoms. Types of treatments include:
- Healing Leaky Gut
- Reinforce the Body’s Normal Immune Response – LDN/low dose naltrexone, thymic peptides, immune supporting supplements (zinc, D, quercetin, vitamin C, etc)
- Remove Environmental Contributors (molds, metals, pesticides, household chemicals, unfiltered water)
- Manage Symptoms (ie optimize hormone levels if these are affected)
- Supplement Lacking Substances Autoimmune Disease Created (ie thyroid hormone, cortisol)
- Physical Therapy-Helps with movement of bones, joints, or muscles
- Infrared Sauna/Detox Support
Medications
Medicines used in conventional practice that suppress the immune system can cause severe side effects, such as higher risk for infections and cancer. These include:
- Immunosuppressive Drugs-Reduce abnormal response of immune system
- Corticosteroids
- Prednisone
- Non-steroid drugs
- Azathioprine
- Cyclophosphamide
- Mycophenolate
- Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Blockers
- Interleukin Inhibitors
- LDN
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Thymic peptides