Nancy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 95
posted
I am still testing very low on my immune system blood work. Besides IVIG, which I would rather not do, does anyone have any hints about which supplements I could take to raise the numbers?
Posts: 1487 | From New England | Registered: Oct 2000
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
Have you seen an immunologist? Do you know what kind of deficiency you have?
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Talk to your LLMD or LL ND. Never approach any immune treatment until then, only with someone very much lyme and TBD literate. Other experts can be involved but just not alone. Because:
Lyme can "flip" immune function from what seems logical or ordinary.
The point is to never suppress; never boost. Support & balance are the keys but only a true LL doctor will understand the safety issues -- and if another specialist should be consulted, then they can work together in designing an approach for you.
posted
Yes, the product "Host Defense," with 17 mushrooms in it, is recommended to boost the immune system. I am usually highly sensitive to supplements and I passed that one!
I also recall in my past making soups with shiitake mushrooms and shakes with omiboshi plums to boost the immune system in general.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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beaches
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38251
posted
Have you tried low-dose naltrexone? I'd try it before pursuing a very aggressive treatment like IVIG.
LDN is a compounded medication that can help boost your immune system. It should be titrated up very gradually, working your way up slowly from 1mg to up to 3mg and possibly up to 4/4.5mg depending on how your body responds.
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Nancy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 95
posted
Thanks everyone!
Posts: 1487 | From New England | Registered: Oct 2000
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
quote:Originally posted by Nancy2: I apologize..I should have included my "numbers" with my post....
Immunoglobulin G......553 ..normal range 694-1618
Immunoglobulin M.....58.....normal range 48-271
Immunoglobulin A.....32.....normal range...81-463
I have seen an Immunologist who recommended IVIG.
Your levels are similar to mine including low IgA. I do get IVIG. I took LDN for years before getting an immune deficiency diagnosis, and I still take it.
I am not sure supplements are strong enough for a deficiency this severe. I am not saying they are not, I just don't know if they could be. I guess you could try, but I think it should be under doctor supervision.
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Xymogen "Immunotix" if i remember correctly, it can help increase NK cell numbers and activity. It is also supposed to support general immune function.
You can order it online.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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You can also have IGg sub sets drawn, there are four subsets: IGg1, IGg2, IGg3, and IGg4.
If you can figure out which subset you are low in, this can help you determine if you are prone to Fatigue Syndrome, Lung Infections, CVID (Common Variable Innume Deficiency), SLE aka Lupus, Sjogren's disease, and other autoimmune disorders, etc...
My IGg level is low but none of my subsets stick out as being terrible so my Rheumy is just monitoring these levels for now.
Good health to you! TheWino
-------------------- Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been --J. Buffett
All of my replies should not be taken as medical advice as they are my opinions only and I am not a physician. Posts: 55 | From Florida | Registered: Oct 2012
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
If you want to try some supportive measures for awhile, you can monitor your levels to make sure that they don't drop. Mine did get worse over time.
I do have CVID though so my immune deficiency needs treated and herbs won't help really that much. I have single digit IgA and IgM and very low IgG (around 400). My NK cells are almost non existent too and the ones found for testing didn't work.
Those were the tests results that I best understood, the rest started getting more complicated! That's what you get for going to a research hospital
When I was off IVIG I was constantly sick with one virus/flu after another. It was scary because things could start off as a cold and quickly settle in as pneumonia. My body couldn't fight the infections off. I also had several sinus and ear infections per year.
Now that I'm back on IVIG, it's like a miracle!!! I've been infection free for a couple months Just makes my heart leap with happiness!
Now that I'm on IVIG, I'll finally be able to fight off Lyme and coinfections. I never really had a real chance before, the infections were stronger than my immune system.
So my recommendation would be to look at the whole picture. Are you getting sick all the time? Are you having a difficult time fighting Lyme? Are you immune numbers getting worse? What is your gut feeling? If yes, then maybe you should see an immunologist for a work-up to see if IVIG would help.
IVIG is not a cure all. It is extremely expensive and I wish that I did not need it. Insurance does not like to cover it but if you need it, you and your doc can fight for it and it will be worth while.
So good luck! Sorry if you didn't like the ramble.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Do you know what constitutes a diagnosis of CVID? Is is simply low levels of immunoglobulins? For example, if someone just had low IgM, would that result in a CVID diagnosis?
It definitely sounds like insurance companies do not want to cover IVIG, but it does seem like a lot of folks on here are getting it covered so that's encouraging.
Posts: 169 | From The Poconos | Registered: Jun 2011
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Nancy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 95
posted
Thanks everyone! Some good suggestions here. Funny thing is I NEVER get sick with colds, etc. I find that so odd! With numbers like mine, you would think I would be sick all of the time! Got to think it all over!
Posts: 1487 | From New England | Registered: Oct 2000
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
Above is a link from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. They give a super breif explanation of CVID.
You must have very low immunoglubulins IgG + another, poor vaccine responses, and history of infections to be covered by insurance. It is a whole picture of illness, not just numbers that gets you covered. That is my experience.
Each insurance co will have specific criteria, specific numbers that you must meet for low IgG, etc.
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