I just got some blood work done and it says that my immune system is down. Has this happened to other Lyme peeps? What do I need to do? My llmd said somthing about seeing an immunologist... we have kaiser. I take oral supplements right now. Should I request anything in particular when I see an immunologist?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Result Flag Units Ref % CD8-/CD57+ Lymphs .. 2 ...........% .. 2-17 Abs. CD8-CD57+ Lymphs 36...Low.. /uL.. 60-360
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
VERY, VERY common in Lyme patients.....especially those who have been suffering from Lyme for years. You might check into Transfer Factor.
Posted by Linda LD (Member # 6663) on :
Personally, I think the whole point of Lyme is it takes down your immune system. Thyroid, Epstein Barr, Lyme, co-infectors--it is all about the immune system going down.
L
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
Low CD57 is in most LLMDs opinion if not all, a key marker for Lyme Disease. Also suggestive of relapse if still low when ABX therapy is stopped.
Posted by newlymepatient (Member # 6461) on :
I have had Lyme for little over a year
Posted by newlymepatient (Member # 6461) on :
What is transfor factor?
Posted by Christine202 (Member # 6158) on :
Yup imminitu is pretty crappy on my end too. I am currenlt on my 3rd cold since Sept, and major sinus infection. I have almost gotten used to walking around this time of year feeling lousy.
Funny b.c I used to NEVER get sick when my Lyme was full blown.....
What a trade off! LOL
Anyway, I take emergen C when I am sick and I use Zicam cold remedy as well as some mineral supplements.....
I hope that you are able to feel better soon.
Posted by ebrischoux (Member # 7281) on :
We just had this discussion on lyme autism group and this is all very interesting. My son's CD 57 is 18 so his immune system is in the crapper below is a copy of our discussion. This info may have been posted from someone on this board, if so I am sorry for the cross post.
'I wanted to comment on your note about having a strong immune system so that you don't get colds but maybe have lymes. You may wish to read (if you haven't already as I'm sure you are well-informed) Dr. Cheney's views about immune system dysfunction and these diseases.
I will give my flailing attempt at paraphrasing his work: he believes that lymes and viruses as mentioned above can fool the immune system. There are T1h (h stands for helper) cells and T2h cells which are part of the immune system and which fight either cell mediated (can move freely in and out of cells) or cell contained pathogens.
Things like colds are fought off by one of these T helper immune system cells (Th1, I think) while the viruses and lymes are fought by the other.
The thing is, is that the viruses and lymes produce something (maybe it is interleukin--please forgive my poor memory and understanding) which tricks the immune system so that the Th2 (I think) system becomes even more active (to fight colds, etc.), while the Th1 (I think) system becomes dampened and can't fight off the viruses/lymes.
The LDN is supposed to help change the Th2 dominance and help re-establish a healthy balance, if my understanding is correct. Then the Th1 cells can fight the lymes.'
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
My immune level was at 11 (out of 300-something) when I started abx treatment. It's slowly slowly, very slowly improving.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
This is just my opinion, but I don't see the point in going to the immunologist -- you already know that you have Lyme disease and that is the reason for your low CD57 test results. Supposedly this test mesures a part of the immune system that is only effected by Lyme disease.
Would suggest something like Reishi mushroom supplements recommended by Dr B on Long Island to help boost the killer cells which is what the CD57 is measuring.
Bea Seibert
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by seibertneurolyme: This is just my opinion, but I don't see the point in going to the immunologist -- you already know that you have Lyme disease and that is the reason for your low CD57 test results.
I agree.
Thanks for the info on the immune system, ebris. You actually know a Lyme patient who calls it lymes??
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