COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 417
Liver-targeted antibodies can identify autoimmune liver processes
before liver enzymes become abnormal on standard testing [29].
Can Early Autoimmune Reactivity Be Reversed?
A critical question for patients and clinicians is whether
autoimmune processes can be halted or reversed once detected
through predictive antibody testing. The evidence suggests that
early intervention offers significant potential for modifying disease
outcomes:
Autoimmune Reversibility Factors
The potential for reversing autoimmune reactivity depends on
several key factors:
Stage of Autoimmune Process
Intervention during the early predictive antibody phase, before
significant tissue destruction has occurred, offers the greatest
potential for reversibility [30]. Once extensive tissue damage and
replacement with scar tissue has occurred, complete reversal
becomes much more challenging.
Antibody Titers and Patterns
Lower antibody titers generally respond more favorably to
intervention than very high titers, which may indicate a more
established autoimmune process [31]. Similarly, reactivity to a
single tissue type is generally more amenable to reversal than
complex multi-tissue reactivity.
Underlying Trigger Identification
The ability to identify and address specific environmental triggers
(infections, toxins, food sensitivities) plays a crucial role in
successful autoimmune reversal [32]. This is where complementary
testing with Arrays 2, 11, and 12 can be particularly valuable.
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