Transcript:
Introduction: Who Is a Good Candidate for LDI?
Hi, this is Dr. Ty Vincent again. In this post, we’ll talk about what makes someone a good candidate for low dose immunotherapy (LDI). People ask this question a lot. If you watched my other video on the conditions we treat, you already know that if you have an obvious allergy to something, you’re an immediate candidate.
Clear Candidates for LDI
If you have a named autoimmune disorder, you’re also a good candidate for LDI. Similarly, if you suffer from a chronic inflammatory condition, even if it doesn’t have a specific diagnosis or you’ve been given multiple labels but no definitive answers, you may be a good candidate. I see a lot of patients who have been through several treatments without success, often because their condition involves an immunological reaction that hasn’t been identified by other doctors.
Chronic Infections and Immune Response Conditions
If you have a condition that seems like a chronic infection but doesn’t go away—such as recurring yeast, staph, or bladder infections—this could be an immune response condition, which LDI can often treat. Interstitial cystitis is an example where we’ve had good success.
Immunological Events as Triggers
Conditions that seem to be brought on by immunological events are likely immune-related. Examples include people who develop new symptoms after contracting COVID-19, or women who develop new immune issues, such as allergies or autoimmune disorders, after having a baby. Hormonal changes are a common trigger for these conditions.
Other potential triggers include vaccinations, antibiotic courses, or extreme psychological stress. All of these events can kick off immunological reaction patterns and serve as predictors that your chronic symptoms may have an immune-related cause.
Immune Responses as Indicators
Certain patterns can indicate immune involvement in your symptoms. For example, if you’ve taken antibiotics for Lyme disease and your symptoms improve but return after stopping the antibiotics, that’s evidence that an immunological reaction may be involved. Similarly, if your chronic symptoms change significantly when you get sick with a viral illness, this suggests that your condition may be immune-related.
Autism Spectrum Disorders and LDI
One specific area worth mentioning is autism spectrum disorders. While our success in treating autism spectrum issues is limited, when it does work, it can be dramatic. For children who were developing normally but then experienced a regression, this often indicates an immunological shift.
Some children with autism experience a reduction in symptoms when they have a fever or viral illness, which is another sign of immunological involvement. If they respond well to anti-inflammatories or immune-modulating drugs, that’s another indicator.
Immunological Clues
If you’ve ever taken steroids like prednisone for a condition thought to be inflammatory, and your symptoms improved significantly, that’s a strong indication of an underlying immunological component to your symptoms. These are all clues to help determine if LDI might be a good fit for you.
Conclusion: Assessing Candidacy for LDI
To determine if LDI might work for you, ask yourself: Do I have an obvious allergy? Do I have an autoimmune disorder? Do I have chronic symptoms that fit these descriptions? If you’re still unsure, feel free to email us, visit our Facebook page, or ask questions to learn from others’ experiences.