Autoimmune Disease & Unexplained Chronic Illness
At The Goode Health Clinic, we specialise in helping individuals manage and treat autoimmune diseases through a comprehensive, root-cause approach. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells, leading to inflammation, tissue damage, and a variety of symptoms that can affect multiple organs and systems. Conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and coeliac disease are just a few examples of autoimmune diseases that have become more prevalent in recent years.
We take a personalised approach to autoimmune disease treatment, recognising that each individual’s immune system, genetics, and environmental exposures are unique. Our goal is to help identify the root causes contributing to autoimmune activity, such as chronic stress, infections, nutrient deficiencies, gut imbalances, environmental toxins, and hormonal dysregulation. By addressing these underlying factors, we aim to reduce inflammation, modulate immune function, and restore balance, improving overall health and quality of life.
What is Autoimmunity
Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system, which is designed to protect the body from harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria, mistakenly targets the body’s own healthy tissues and organs. This misdirected immune response leads to chronic inflammation and damage to the affected tissues, often resulting in a range of symptoms that vary depending on the specific condition and the systems involved.
Under normal circumstances, the immune system distinguishes between “self” and “non-self,” attacking only foreign invaders. However, in autoimmune diseases, this distinction breaks down. The immune system begins to produce antibodies or activate immune cells that attack the body’s own cells, leading to the development of autoimmune diseases, either systemic ones which attack multiple organs such as lupus, or organ & tissue specific ones that attack a specific organ or tissue i.e type 1 diabetes (pancreas), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (thyroid gland), rheumatoid arthritis (joints).
Autoimmune diseases can manifest differently in each person and may progress over time, ranging from mild symptoms to more severe complications. The exact causes of autoimmunity are complex and multifactorial, involving genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, hormonal factors, and lifestyle influences.
Understanding autoimmunity involves looking beyond symptoms to uncover the underlying imbalances in the immune system. By identifying and addressing the root causes, it’s possible to manage and, in some cases, even reverse the progression of autoimmune diseases.
A Sample of Autoimmune Diseases
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Hashimoto’s Disease
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Multiple Sclerosis
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Psoriasis
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CFS / ME
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Lupus
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Lyme Disease
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Autoimmune Dysautonomia
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Chron’s Disease
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Ulcerative Colitis
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Dermatitis
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Endometriosis
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Fibromyalgia
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Grave’s Disease
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Guillain-Barré syndrome
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Connective Tissue Disease
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Pernicious Anaemia
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Polyreactive Autoimmunity
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Psoriatic Arthritis
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Raynaud’s
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Restless Leg Syndrome
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Sjögren’s
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Transverse Myelitis
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Eczema
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Alopecia
*There are close to 100 confirmed Autoimmune Disorders with more and more being recognised as autoimmune all the time. This is a sample of the autoimmune diseases that we can work with.
Autoimmune Symptoms
As there are so many different autoimmune disease, that can affect almost every part of the body, symptoms vary from person to personal and are very wide ranging. Here you have a sample of the most common autoimmune symptoms…
EXAMPLE SYMPTOMS…
Persistent Fatigue
Sensitivity to smells
Over-stimulation with bright lights or too much noise
Low-grade fever or unexplained temperature fluctuations
Chronic inflammation or swelling in various parts of the body
Rashes, including a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose (common in lupus)
Dry, flaky, or itchy skin
Hair loss or thinning
Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling (common in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus)
Muscle aches or weakness
Reduced range of motion or joint deformities in advanced cases
Abdominal pain, bloating, or cramping
Diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating bowel habits
Food sensitivities or difficulty tolerating certain foods (e.g., gluten in celiac disease)
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
Numbness, tingling, or nerve pain
Dizziness or coordination issues
Unexplained weight gain or loss
Cold or heat intolerance
Irregular menstrual cycles or fertility issues
Impaired memory or difficulty processing information
Low mood or feelings of depression
Increased irritability or frustration
Anxiety or heightened emotional sensitivity
Lack of motivation or drive
Feelings of overwhelm or inability to handle stress
Emotional detachment or loss of joy in activities
Chest pain or heart palpitations
Swollen lymph nodes
Dry eyes or mouth (common in Sjögren’s syndrome)
Sensitivity to sunlight or UV light
Slow wound healing or frequent infections
Conventional treatment for Autoimmunity
Conventional treatment for autoimmunity varies depending on the disease you have, it may include anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive medications.
The Goode Health approach to Autoimmunity.
At The Goode Health Clinic, we take a functional medicine approach to managing autoimmune diseases, focusing on identifying and addressing the root causes of immune dysfunction rather than just managing symptoms. Functional medicine views the body as an interconnected system and seeks to restore balance through personalised care, addressing factors that drive chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation.
In conventional medicine, the focus is often on diagnosing the specific autoimmune condition and managing its symptoms using medications such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or biologics. While these treatments can be effective for controlling inflammation and flare-ups, they typically don’t address the underlying triggers that contribute to autoimmune activity.
Functional medicine, on the other hand, asks “Why is the immune system overreacting?” rather than just “What disease is present?” This approach involves a comprehensive evaluation of lifestyle, environmental factors, genetics, and biochemical imbalances to uncover the root causes of autoimmunity.
By addressing the root causes of autoimmunity, we empower you to take control of your health and work toward long-term healing. This approach is proactive and preventative, focusing on reducing flares, improving quality of life, and achieving better overall well-being.
Autoimmune Testing
In conventional medicine autoimmune testing is consists predominantly of bloods and scans to diagnose, but fails to look at root causes of autoimmunity, common conventional autoimmune testing is:
Basic Autoimmune Markers:
ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) test to detect general autoimmune activity.
Specific autoantibodies (e.g., anti-dsDNA for lupus, rheumatoid factor for rheumatoid arthritis).
Organ-Specific Tests:
TSH and T4 for thyroid function in autoimmune thyroid diseases.
Blood glucose and HbA1c for type 1 diabetes.
Imaging and Biopsies:
X-rays or MRIs to assess joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis.
Tissue biopsies to confirm celiac disease or other conditions.
Inflammatory Markers:
C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to measure inflammation levels.
While these tests are useful for diagnosing and monitoring diseases, they often don’t explore underlying causes, or provide a full picture of the factors driving the autoimmune response.
By coming to us and taking a functional medicine approach you get holistic, root cause action and have access to a wide variety of testing using UK, Europe and American testing labs, including some or all of the following:
Comprehensive Autoimmune Panels:
Detailed autoantibody testing (e.g., TPO and TG antibodies for thyroid autoimmunity, or anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies for rheumatoid arthritis).
Autoantibody testing panels for full body review, food sensitivity, chemical reactivity and more.
Nutrient Testing:
Evaluating levels of key nutrients like vitamin D, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids that influence immune health.
Gut Health Testing:
Comprehensive stool analysis to identify dysbiosis, infections, or leaky gut syndrome.
Zonulin levels to assess intestinal permeability.
Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Testing:
Advanced markers of inflammation like IL-6, TNF-alpha, or HS-CRP.
Oxidative stress markers to assess cellular damage and free radical activity.
Hormone and Adrenal Testing:
Comprehensive hormone panels, including cortisol and DHEA, to assess stress response and its impact on immune function. Stress is a common root cause of autoimmunity.
Environmental and Toxin Testing:
Mycotoxin testing for mould exposure.
Heavy metal testing for mercury, lead, or arsenic.
Infection Panels:
Testing for chronic viral infections (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus) or bacterial infections like Lyme disease.
Genetic and Nutrigenomics Testing:
Identifying genetic predispositions to autoimmune conditions or issues with detoxification pathways.
Mitochondrial Function Testing:
Evaluating energy production at the cellular level.
Take a functional approach:
Root Causes
While genetics can play a role, autoimmune diseases are often triggered or worsened by various environmental, lifestyle, and physiological factors. At The Goode Health Clinic, we focus on identifying these root causes to restore balance and support long-term healing. Some of these root causes are:
Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in cells, play a critical role in immune regulation. Dysfunctional mitochondria can lead to reduced energy production, increased oxidative stress, and impaired cellular repair processes. This can exacerbate chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, contributing to the development and progression of autoimmune diseases. Supporting mitochondrial health through targeted nutrients and lifestyle changes can help restore cellular balance.
Chronic Stress and Trauma
Prolonged physical or emotional stress can dysregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to immune dysfunction. Trauma, whether physical (e.g., surgery or infection) or emotional, is also a known trigger for autoimmune diseases.
Oxidative Stress
Excess free radicals can damage cells and tissues, contributing to chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation. Addressing oxidative stress with antioxidants and reducing exposure to environmental toxins is a key strategy in managing autoimmunity.
Chronic Inflammation
Ongoing, unresolved inflammation places stress on the immune system, keeping it in a heightened state of activity. This chronic state can lead to immune dysfunction and the eventual development or exacerbation of autoimmune conditions. Identifying and addressing the sources of inflammation—such as diet, environmental toxins, or infections—is essential for managing autoimmune diseases.
Chronic Infections
Infections, particularly viral and bacterial, can contribute to autoimmune activity. Persistent infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus, or Lyme disease may overstimulate the immune system or cause molecular mimicry, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue that resembles the pathogen.
Environmental Toxins
Exposure to toxins such as pesticides, heavy metals (e.g., mercury or lead), and mould/mycotoxins can stress the immune system and lead to inflammation. These toxins may also impair detoxification pathways, exacerbating autoimmune activity.
Gut Imbalances and Intestinal Permeability
The gut plays a crucial role in regulating the immune system. When the intestinal barrier becomes compromised (commonly referred to as "leaky gut"), undigested food particles, toxins, and microbes can enter the bloodstream, triggering an immune response. This chronic immune activation is a significant driver of autoimmune diseases.
Food Sensitivities and Poor Diet
Certain foods, such as gluten and dairy, may provoke an inflammatory response in susceptible individuals. A diet low in nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods and high in processed foods or sugar can also fuel chronic inflammation and autoimmunity.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Deficiencies in key nutrients that regulate immune health—such as vitamin D, selenium, zinc, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids—can increase the risk of immune dysfunction. A lack of antioxidants also contributes to oxidative stress, which damages cells and tissues.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones like oestrogen and cortisol play a role in immune regulation. Imbalances, such as adrenal dysfunction or hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or menopause, can contribute to autoimmune flares or onset.
Sleep Disruptions
Sleep is essential for immune regulation and repair processes. Poor-quality or insufficient sleep can increase inflammation, impair immune function, and exacerbate autoimmune symptoms. Addressing sleep issues is a key part of managing autoimmunity.
Genetics and Epigenetics
While genetics can predispose individuals to autoimmune conditions, environmental and lifestyle factors often determine whether these genes are activated. Understanding these triggers through testing can guide targeted interventions.
By addressing these root causes, functional medicine provides a comprehensive and personalised approach to restoring optimal health and overall well-being.
How The Goode Health Clinic supports Autoimmunity?
Our Immune Health Clinic supports patients with Autoimmune Disease. We dig deep into your root causes to help your body find balance and bring you back to the optimal version of you.