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This is probably one of the most frequently asked question I am asked when a Hashimoto’s patient begins treatment at our office. Typically this is a result from reading Dr. Kharrazian’s book “Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests Are Normal”.
See the TH-1/TH-2 Practical Challenge Quiz (Part 3 of this series).
About TH-1 and TH-2
TH-1 and TH-2 responses should be fully functional and harmonious. In the case of autoimmune diseases, one or other type of response has gained control of the system resulting in either TH-1 dominance or TH-2 dominance. It is also possible, but rarely addressed, that both TH-1 and
TH-2 can be:
- Overactive - making it appear that a person is always sick or allergic to everything.
- Underactive – person is fatigued to the point were they are either unable to respond to illness or symptoms flair up for a short period of time, being unable to sustain the chronic response. Underactive response may also be the person who never gets sick but doesn’t feel well.
- Dual Dominance – both overactive
- Dual Suppression – both underactive
- Fluctuate – a person may exhibit 1-4
Why?
The main cause is GI dysfunction (see Part 2 of this series). Microbial (bacteria, fungus/mold, and parasites) overgrowth in the bowels can cause TH-1/TH-2 confusion. A microbe’s number one function is survival. To survive, they camouflage themselves by producing the proteins lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipoligosaccharide (LOS) which misidentifies the microbe as a ‘normal’ cell. The normal TH-2 response should keep microbes in small numbers but the camouflaged microbes confuse the immune response to enable them to flourish. The damage caused by microbes will be seen as a TH-1 activator and in turn, stimulate the TH-1 response, resulting in overactive production of natural killer and cytotoxic T-cells. The immune system responses fluctuate wildly and end up attacking the human body seeking to maintain control of the GI environment.
TH-1 and TH-2 are polarized responses activated by the body’s T-helper cells when faced with complex patterns that contribute to altered immune responses. Some of these are:
- Adrenal dysfunction
- Insulin Resistance
- Immune defects
- Immune deficiencies
- Chronic diseases such as (Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Dermatitis, Allergies, and others)
- Immune barrier breaks (GI, Respiratory, Placental, and Blood-brain)
- Anemia of Chronic Inflammation
Certain supplements, and/or foods, are known to stimulate different immune cells. For example, "I feel better when I eat or drink it," or “I feel worse when I eat or drink it," can indicate which immune system is either excessively active or suppressed. Cravings may be a clue as well. Over stimulation of TH-1, TH-2, or both, can indicate environmental sensitivities. A patient’s personal history is important because if a disease is identified more closely with one path than other, it gives the physician and patient more clues as to how it may be managed.
Causes of an autoimmune disease?
Part 2 of 3
By Dr. David Peterson, DC, DCCN
We recognize unknown etiologies of autoimmune diseases exist that we, as modern physicians, cannot determine. Supporting and healing the immune system will make great improvements toward health. But what if we knew the etiology? What if we could determine the cause, rectify the problem, and support the immune system resulting in a repair of immune regulation?
82% of people with Autoimmune Thyroid also have Autoimmune Gastrointestinal Disease and Anemia (low O2). Studies have proven the solution is repairing the gut lining.
It is absolutely necessary to address GI health and dysfunction when managing Hashimoto’s or other autoimmune diseases. It is our first line of immune defense. Many of the patients I see evidence an autoimmune disease as a result of an overgrowth or imbalance of one or more of the following:
- Pathogens
- Bacterias
- Fungi/Molds
- Parasites
- Viruses
What do I need to understand?
The gastrointestinal system is complex. Although there are many other significant components, this is the basic pattern of dysfunction:
Gut atrophy causes abnormal sequencing of digestive chemistry and allows bacterial overgrowth. However, gut atrophy contributes to pancreatic dysfunction and results in a leaky gut. Leaky gut drives an autoimmune disease. Now the GI lining is damaged and a prominent immune barrier is compromised resulting in at least one of the abnormal TH-1 patterns listed in Part one of this series.
What’s the bottom line?
TH-1 and TH-2 responses will not regulate appropriately and stop attacking your body unless gastrointestinal health is established.
The Th-1/Th-2 Challenge.
Part 3 of 3
By Dr. David Peterson, DC, DCCN
Should you do the TH-1/TH-2 challenge?
I was always told “You don’t light a match to check for a gas leak”. In these cases, it may be best to ask some simple questions first. Below are some of the possible scenarios:
4 Possible Responses of a TH-1/TH-2 Challenge
- TH-1 Dominance
TH-1 Stimulation Creates Symptomatology
- Feels better with coffee, caffeine (drives TH-2)
- Feels worse with immune stimulators – Echinacea, goldenseal, immune boosting mushrooms (which drive TH-1 even more)
- TH-2 Dominance
TH-2 Stimulation Creates Symptomatology
- Feels better with immune stimulators – Echinacea, goldenseal, immune boosting mushrooms (drives TH-1)
- Feels worse with coffee, caffeine (which drives TH-2 even more)
- Both TH-1 and TH-2 Dominance
Both TH-1 and TH-2 Create Symptomatology
- I’m always sick.
- I’m allergic to everything.
- TH-1 Overactive
- Feels worse with immune stimulators – Echinacea, goldenseal, immune boosting mushrooms
- Feels better with little amounts of coffee, caffeine
- TH-2 Overactive
- Feels worse with coffee, caffeine
- Feels better with little amounts of immune stimulators – Echinacea, goldenseal, immune boosting mushrooms
- TH-1/TH-2 Underactive Suppression
Neither TH-1 or TH-2 Create Symptomatology
- I never get sick but I’m not well.
- I feel good but I’m not well.
- TH-2 Underactive
- Feels better with a little coffee, caffeine
- Then feels worse with little amounts of coffee, caffeine
– after driven into TH-2 dominance
- TH-1 Underactive
- Feels better with a little immune stimulators – Echinacea, goldenseal, immune boosting mushrooms
- Then feels worse with moderate amounts of immune stimulators
– after driven into TH-1 dominance
My goal is to assess personal health history questions and review lab stool analysis using the DNA Gastrointestinal Effects test. This identifies microbial activity and determines the integrity of the immune system within the digestive tract. This is safer and a more effective choice of healthcare management in autoimmune cases than the TH-1/TH-2 challenge which may trigger symptoms. In my experience, trying to address and control the inflammation after a TH-1/TH-2 challenge can be very difficult and unnecessary.
If you have questions call us today. 636.227.4949
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