- Hashimoto’s Disease (Hypothyroidism)
- Graves’ Disease (Hyperthyroidism)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (Joints)
- Lupus (Multiple tissues)
- Sjogren’s Syndrome (Dry Eyes, Skin, and Mouth)
- Celiac Disease (Gut)
- Psoriasis (Skin and Joints)
- Multiple Sclerosis (Brain Cells)
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome (Blood Clotting)
- Type 1 Diabetes (Pancreas)
Conventional diagnosis of autoimmune diseases is commonly done through a blood test that looks for antibodies against healthy cells. After these antibodies are found, conventional medicine recommends taking immune suppressive drugs and/or hormone replacement therapy for life – with risks that greatly outweigh the benefits. Functional medicine (advanced natural medicine) has powerful and natural tools that dramatically improve the lives of those with autoimmune diseases without these risks.
The reason why conventional medicine has failed with autoimmunity is that their model is not designed to look for the individual cause (or promoters) of the immune dysfunction. Two different people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism will have very different immune dysfunctions, therefore, will need different protocols. The key is to get a clear picture of the individual’s unique immune system can only be achieved through functional laboratory testing.
The Three Secrete Blood Tests
TH1 TH2 Cytokine Test– Your white blood cells communicate with each other through proteins called cytokines. Your immune system consists of mainly two systems: The first attackers (Th1 cells) and antibodies (Th2 cells). In a properly functioning immune system, the Th1 and Th2 cells should be in balance like a see-saw. When one of these systems becomes more powerful than the other, and autoimmunity can be triggered. The goal is to balance this system. Since many therapies used in natural medicine can influence this see-saw, it is critical to know which side is dominant in order to promote balance.
CD4 CD8 Ratio Panel (Immune System Analysis)– We have cells in our immune system called “helper cells” that help our white blood cells attack foreign innovators. Other cells help turn off the immune attack (“suppressor cells”) when the fight is over. This important test it allows you and your doctor to know if a foreign innovator (bacteria, virus, food, environmental toxin, and/or heavy metals) are influencing the autoimmune attack or if the immune system is dysfunctional due to other causes like chronic stress or nutritional insufficiencies.
Vitamin D Test– Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin, it’s a hormone. A hormone that plays an extremely important role in the modulation, or balancing, of the immune system. Not only do most people suffering from autoimmune diseases have low levels of vitamin D but they also have genetic changes that keep vitamin D from being used in the body. This means they may need to take very high doses of vitamin D in order to function properly. Since vitamin D influenced blood calcium levels it is necessary to have your vitamin D levels rechecked often until optimal levels are achieved (the vitamin D test is also included in our Health Check Plus with Vitamin D blood test).
Lab tests can become expensive when ordered by a clinic or hospital. Many do not know that by ordering lab tests online, they only pay a fraction of the cost and save on a doctor’s visit.
“Good Treatment Starts with Great Testing”
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