Autoimmune disease: your body at war with itself

I’ve been looking for alternatives (alternatives to prescription drugs, to food, to attitude) for a long time. A couple of decades is a long time to feel bad in general; no vitality, no satisfying energy, no clear mind. People who don’t know me very well or who haven’t known me for a long time are surprised to hear this. To them, I seem high-energy; I move fast, I speak fast, and I can be very reactive. I achieve a lot.

I know that I could accomplish so much more if I had the energy, stamina, and vitality to match the zest for life that I have.

In my search for more, I learned some amazing facts about autoimmunity. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), there are more than 80 diseases or disorders attributed to an autoimmune condition. The NIAID maintains that the study of autoimmunity is a priority for its organization.

In the early 1900s, it was estimated that about 1 in 10,000 people had an autoimmune disorder. Today, that number is 1 in 250! That is an extraordinary increase in 116 years. In addition to hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone), here are some other familiar names for diseases that I didn’t know were considered “autoimmune”:

• Parkinson’s disease

• Dementia

• Colitis

• Arthritis

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Addison’s disease

• Autoimmune hepatitis

• Celiac Disease

• Chronic Lyme disease

• Restless legs

• Rheumatoid arthritis

The list goes on and on.

From what i have learned inflammation it is at the heart of autoimmunity. Inflammation is said to start in the intestine. The gut has a semi-permeable lining whose degree of permeability fluctuates in response to an enormous number of conditions. The result of repeated stretching of this lining is what is known as “leaky gut syndrome.”

Leaky gut means that partially undigested food, viruses, bacteria, and toxins flow freely into our bloodstream, ultimately leading to inflammation and a severe lack of nutrient absorption. During one of my many searches for ways to feel better, I began taking a large number and variety of vitamins. After a while (and a lot of money) I found out that I probably had a leaky gut. Translation: all the vitamins I was consuming resulted in “expensive urine” and little else.

As of this writing, I am awaiting the results from the lab. Last week I asked my doctor to order the following 6 labs (compared to the standard 3 that are normally ordered) in order to find out more about my autoimmune condition:

• TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)

• Thyroid antibodies, thyroid peroxidase (TPO)

• Thyroglobulin antibodies (TG antibodies)

• Free T3

• Free T4

• Reverse T3

Some experts also suggest a thyroid ultrasound and I might also request it if I don’t get enough information and guidance. There is a ton of information and a wealth of authorities on autoimmune disorders and diseases. The main conclusion that I can share from all my studies is the following:

Each of us is responsible for our own health. It is your responsibility to ask your doctors for explanations, ask the pharmacist to help you understand your medications, and most of all, evaluate your progress. I should have acted much earlier to be proactive with my own health. I encourage everyone to do the same.