Print this page

We can and do use laboratory testing to determine your individual autoimmune response. However, we also recognize the possibility of false positives and false negatives when using such labs. Our first evaluation is with H.I.S.S.

• History
• Information
• Signs
• Symptoms

Certain supplements and or foods are known to stimulate different immune cells. Any craving that initiates these responses can indicate which immune system is either excessively active or suppressed.
"I feel better when I eat or drink it."
"I feel bad when I eat or drink it."
These reactions to both TH-1 & TH-2 stimulators indicate environmental sensitivities reflective of an impaired barrier system.

The reason you have an autoimmune disease is largely due to an inability to control your immune response.

H.I.S.S. is the first step in evaluating TH-1 and TH-2 responses. Lab testing is second. Immune challenges are third. The physicians at Wellness Alternatives can determine the most likely scenario involving your immune system without provoking an uncontrolled immune response.

Those with TH-1 Stimulation creating Symptomatology will usually feel better with coffee or caffeine, yet will feel worse with immune stimulators (Echinacea, goldenseal, immune-boosting mushrooms or probiotics).

People with TH-2 Stimulation creating Symptomatology are the opposite. They will feel better with immune stimulators - Echinacea, goldenseal, immune-boosting mushrooms or probiotics and feel worse with coffee or caffeine.

Very few people are strictly TH-1 or TH-2 responsive. There are 5 patterns of dysfunction.

Dual Dominance- More often than not a person will be both TH-1 and TH-2 responsive. This happens when different autoimmune diseases are actively provoking both sides of the immune system to be overactive and the regulatory part of the immune system can't regulate either side. When a person has both TH-1 and TH-2 creating Symptomatology, they often come into the office saying: "I'm always sick" or "I'm allergic to everything."

Dual Suppression- Eventually patients will happily report, "I never get sick" but "I feel good but I know I'm not well." They are slip sliding away down the slippery slope of autoimmune diseases because their immune system is too fatigued for any appropriate response. Those doing Green Allopathy often fall into this category. When we look at their lab values, low absolute neutrophils count (<1800) and/or low lymphocytes count (<1500) will be noted.

Adding to the confusion are 3 more patterns:

1. Overactive Response- The patient's immune response may trigger a dominant TH-1 response which pushes the immune system into the opposite reaction resulting in a TH-2 reactive dominance (or vice versa).
2. Underactive Response- Patients with an underactive TH-2 will tell us they feel better with a little coffee or caffeine but feel worse with moderate amounts of coffee or caffeine as they are driven into TH-2 dominance. At the same time they also have an underactive TH-1 where they feel better with a little bit of immune stimulators (Echinacea, goldenseal, immune boosting mushrooms or probiotics) but feel worse after time with moderate amounts of immune stimulators as they are being driven into TH-1 dominance.
3. Other dysfunctional patterns- All four reactions can be occurring at the same time!

To Read more click here for Dr. Peterson's 3 part series Are you TH-1 or TH-2 Dominant?

STOP- Don't Suppress or Stimulate Your Immune System

The reason you have an autoimmune disease is largely due to an inability to control your immune response. In theory, taking supplements stimulating the TH-2 is suppose to control the TH-1. However, we now know taking supplements to stimulate one side because you did a TH-1/TH-2 challenge will only make both sides overactive. It will not miraculously make your immune system work better. If the immune regulation was not working before, the chances are very high it will not work by provoking the other side.

It is ill advised to use a match to check for a gas leak.
It is ill advised to provoke an immune system that cannot regulate.
It is ill advised to write checks your body cannot cash.

Treatment

For effective strategies to prevent immune-mediated responses, including food allergies, it is essential to understand that immunological programming interacts with genetic predisposition to disease. Autoimmune activity and responses can be arrested if the interplay between genes and environmental triggers is prevented.

The physicians at Wellness Alternatives utilize supplement protocols to quiet and re-regulate your immune system. This may involve supporting the regulatory or helper T Cells or the inhibitory cytokines and neurotransmitters. Care must be taken as previously noted. Sometimes supporting the regulatory/helper T cells can provoke the inhibitory cytokines and neurotransmitters or vice versa into having an adverse response.

• DO whatever is necessary to QUIET, not suppress, your immune system.
• DO rotate your diet. DO try to avoid many of the immune stressors in your environment.
• KEEP a diary so you can LEARN what may be a stressor! Start comparing notes. You may find common ingredients provoking your immune system.

Find out what is the root cause; find out what was the initial incident, infection, or event. Determine what is provoking and perpetuating your immunological status.

And then DEAL with it!

If you have questions call us today. 636.227.4949

Powrie, F. et al. (2003) Control of immune pathology by regulatory T cells. Novartis Found. Symp. 252, 92-98

Kriegel, M.A. et al. (2004) Defective suppressor function of human CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type II. J. Exp. Med. 199, 1285-1291