Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune conditions are some of the most complex cases we see in functional medicine, and often some of the most underserved. People come to us after a diagnosis, sometimes years after, managing symptoms with medication but still dealing with flares, fatigue, and a quality of life that is lower than it should be. Others come before a diagnosis, with symptoms that point in that direction and tests that have not yet confirmed it. Either way, there is usually more that can be done than conventional care alone is doing.
What is happening
In an autoimmune condition, the immune system mistakes the body's own tissue for a threat and attacks it. Which tissue gets attacked determines the diagnosis: Hashimoto's targets the thyroid, rheumatoid arthritis targets joint tissue, lupus can affect multiple systems, psoriasis targets the skin. The diagnosis is different in each case, but the underlying mechanism, an immune system that has lost its ability to distinguish self from non-self, is the same.
Conventional medicine focuses on suppressing the immune response, which manages symptoms and prevents damage but does not address why the immune system lost that ability in the first place. In functional medicine, we ask that question. The most common causes we look at are gut permeability, which allows particles into the bloodstream that trigger immune activation; chronic infections or prior infections that may have initiated the response; toxic exposures; nutrient deficiencies that affect immune regulation; and chronic stress, which directly disrupts immune function.
How we approach it
We work alongside your specialist, not in place of them. Medication management stays with your prescribing medical doctor. Our focus is on what we can actually work on: gut health, nutrient status, inflammatory load, stress and nervous system regulation, and the diet and lifestyle factors that affect immune function. We use testing to understand what is going on in your case and build a plan around what we find. Read more about our functional medicine approach.
Common questions
Can functional medicine help if I am already on immunosuppressant medication?
Yes. The goal is not to replace your medication but to address what is keeping the immune system overactive underneath it. Many people on medication still have significant room to reduce flare frequency and improve how they feel day to day.
What autoimmune conditions do you work with?
We work with a wide range, including Hashimoto's, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis. The functional approach applies across conditions because the underlying causes are similar.
How long does it take to see results?
Autoimmune work is a longer process than acute conditions. Measurable changes in inflammatory markers and symptom frequency typically take several months of consistent work. We track progress and adjust the plan as you respond.
I already have a specialist. Why would I come to you?
Your specialist manages the immune response and prevents tissue damage, and medication is the right tool for that. What medication does not address is what set the immune system off in the first place: gut permeability, chronic infections, nutrient deficiencies, and toxic exposures. Those are things that can be identified and worked on, and addressing them often reduces flare frequency and improves function between flares.
Do you offer telehealth consultations?
Yes. Functional medicine consultations are available via telehealth across North Carolina. Read more about telehealth.
Related: Thyroid and Hashimoto's, gut health and leaky gut, chronic inflammation
Serving Mooresville and the Lake Norman area, including Troutman and Huntersville.
Schedule an appointment or call 704-663-2010.
