I understand Lyme can effect the immune system. I am in with the Lyme causing damage in all of the bodies systems.
I have almost total endocrine failure as it is. It seems the hits just keep coming.
I don't know what to call it but my Natural Killers are very low.
Do others have this issue?
How can it be improved?
I take Colostrum and immunoglobulins.
Other insights would be appreciated.
Posts: 221 | From S. Florida/Massachusetts | Registered: Mar 2005
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
If you've only been tested once, it may be transient.
Usually your Immunologist will recheck the test again at each appointment. If they remain off the chart low after many months and many repeat tests, then they may diagnose you with " NK Cell Deficiency".
The Immunologist also tests the actual function of the NK cells too along with the cell count. This is very important.
If you are eventually found to only have a slightly low NK cell count, then your body can compensate. But if you also have very poor function of the NK cells then your infection risk will be greater.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that you can do.
IVIG does not treat this, it only replaces low IgG.
Expensive supplements did not help me when I went through a year of monthly testing. Turned out that I do have the NK Cell Deficiency with the very very poor functioning cells.
I also have CVID .
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Mine were very low treating Lyme for over two years. Once I tested positive for Bartonella and started treating it, my numbers slowly started rising. The more herbs I add to kill off Bartonella and Babesia and add immune boosting herbs, the better my numbers keep getting. Finally got a 100 when tested in Sept. Waiting for results from Dec. if your numbers don't improve with a lot of Lyme treatment, really take a look at your symptoms and see if there might be a confection that is not coming up positive on tests. Bartonella really suppresses your immune system...
Posts: 8 | From NJ | Registered: Jan 2016
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posted
Also, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia are notorious for causing lymphopenia. The mechanism behind it is still largely unknown. In my experience it's quite difficult to treat. It's not an easy problem to solve.
Babesia and even Brucella can be a cause as well, so like 'CoInfected' said above, it's important to know what co-infections are in the mix. Sometimes when Borrelia is treated they become more prominent.
Posts: 109 | From The Netherlands | Registered: May 2014
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
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