COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 321
For example, autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurs when the
immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys RBCs.
Additionally, conditions such as lupus can lead to leukopenia, a
reduction in WBCs that negatively impacts the body's ability to
fight infections. White blood cells and platelets can be abnormal
in many autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
Immunoglobulins, commonly called antibodies, are proteins
produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize harmful
invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Several types of
immunoglobulins exist, including IgA, IgG, IgM, IgD, and IgE, each
playing distinct roles in the immune response.
In autoimmune disorders, the immune system mistakenly produces
antibodies targeting the body's tissues, leading to various health
issues. Immunoglobulins have been utilized to treat several
autoimmune disorders, although their efficacy can vary.
One such treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), which
was originally developed for immunodeficiency but is increasingly
used to manage autoimmune diseases. IVIg works by regulating
the immune system, neutralizing autoantibodies, and reducing
inflammation, which can help improve symptoms and enhance
quality of life.
Conditions where IVIg is commonly used include:
- Neurological: Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory
demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), myasthenia gravis.
- Skin and Muscle: Dermatomyositis, lupus, scleroderma, toxic
epidermal necrolysis.
- Other: Vasculitis, Kawasaki disease, immune thrombocytopenia
(ITP).
Additional Reading:
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