Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmunity: the Functional Medicine approach
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Common autoimmune conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Traditional treatments often focus on managing symptoms whereas functional medicine is a root cause approach that emphasises the underlying cause(s) of disease. Instead of treating isolated symptoms, we look at the interactions between genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease.
With regards to treatment autoimmunity from a Functional Medicine perspective, we start by taking a detailed history in order to to understand the predisposing factors and triggers that may have contributed to an individual’s autoimmune condition. This includes genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, and lifestyle factors. We also assess for factors that may be driving the ongoing autoimmune and inflammatory process.
These are some of the common autoimmune triggers and drivers that we see:
Diet and Nutrition: Certain foods can trigger or exacerbate autoimmune responses.
Gut Health: Many autoimmune diseases are linked to gut health. Conditions like leaky gut (known as increased intraepithelial permeability in the medical literature) can allow undigested food particles and toxins to enter the bloodstream, triggering immune responses.
Stress and Hormones: Chronic stress and hormonal imbalances, including perimenopause/menopause, can weaken the immune system.
Viruses, bacteria or fungi: Infections, whether acute or chronic, can cause ongoing immune system activation and dysregulation.
Environmental Toxins: Exposure to toxins in food, water, and the environment can contribute to autoimmune reactions.
We may do some further testing to look into some of the factors above including assessment for nutrient deficiencies, leaky gut, infections, hormones, the gut microbiome, digestive markers and environmental toxins. Testing is recommended on an individual basis as this is a fully personalised approach.
Once we have identified the root cause issues and current drivers of autoimmunity and inflammation, your practitioners will suggest a treatment plan which starts to address this. The approach is collaborative and treatment plans need to be manageable with the other demands of your daily life. For this reason, different people will move through their Function Medicine treatment plan at different speeds. We have a team to support you which includes our Doctors, Nutritional Therapists and Health Coach.
Functional medicine is an ongoing process. Regular follow-ups ensure that the treatment plan adapts to changes in the your condition and continues to address the root causes effectively.
Case Study: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Consider the case of Sarah, a 35-year-old woman diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Traditional treatments managed her symptoms but did not address her persistent fatigue and digestive issues. Through functional medicine, Sarah discovered that she had multiple food sensitivities and a significant imbalance in her gut microbiome. By eliminating trigger foods, incorporating gut-healing supplements, and managing stress through yoga and meditation, Sarah experienced a remarkable improvement in her energy levels, digestion, and overall well-being. We also tracked her thyroid antibodies, which are a marker of thyroid inflammation, and the levels decreased overs everal months. In addition to this, we adjusted her medication after consulting with Consultant Endocrinologist Dr Natasha Patel in our regular Endocrinology team meeting. Sarah had a genetic variation of a gene called DIO2 which converts T4 hormone to T3 hormone. Her symptoms, blood and genetics results indicated that she would benefit from a trial of T3 therapy, from which she found enormous benefit. Sarah’s GP was kept about her care, with Sarah’s consent.
