Autoimmune Disease: When the Body Wages an Internal War on Itself
Let’s start with a reality check: autoimmune disease is on the rise. And chances are, you know someone living with one—or maybe you’ve been recently diagnosed yourself and are still wrapping your head around what that really means.
What is sad is that in the US, we do not know how many people have AI diseases because we do not have a national registry or method of collecting this data. The US relies on other countries for statistics! With that being said, our estimations are often far lower than the actuality of diagnoses in the US.
What is even harder to comprehend is that the treatment for autoimmune diseases is among the most expensive of all diseases to treat in the US. In part, because the pharmaceutical companies charge a lot for their drugs, and, secondly, once someone is on medication for an autoimmune disease, they are oftentimes prescribed for life.
Common Autoimmune Diseases & Symptoms
Let’s start with the big names and the classic red flags. Here are some of the most common autoimmune conditions and how they typically show up:
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis – fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, constipation, depression, cold intolerance
Graves’ Disease – anxiety, weight loss, heart palpitations, heat intolerance, tremors
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – joint pain and stiffness, especially in the morning, fatigue, low-grade fever
Lupus (SLE) – rashes (especially butterfly rash), joint pain, fatigue, kidney issues, photosensitivity
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – numbness or weakness, vision problems, coordination difficulties, fatigue
Celiac Disease – bloating, diarrhea, iron deficiency, brain fog, skin rashes, joint pain
Type 1 Diabetes – excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision
Psoriasis / Psoriatic Arthritis – scaly skin plaques, joint stiffness, fatigue
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis) – abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, blood in stool
What’s common in all of these? A mix of inflammation, fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, and often a sense of your body “not being your own.”
What Is Autoimmunity?
Your immune system is your body’s personal defense army. It’s trained to recognize what’s you and what’s not you. When you get a virus or cut yourself, your immune system kicks in to fight and heal.
But in autoimmune disease, something shifts. Your immune system gets confused and starts attacking your own tissues—whether it’s your thyroid, joints, skin, gut lining, or nerves.
This is called loss of self-tolerance.
Think of it as your body’s security system going haywire and sounding the alarm every time you walk through your own front door. It's exhausting and damaging over time, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue destruction.
This also leads to the presence of autoantibodies, which we test for to identify and diagnose autoimmune diseases.
What Are Autoantibodies and Why Do They Matter?
The presence of Autoantibodies is one of the most essential clues your body gives us that something’s gone off track.
Your immune system’s job is to protect you by creating antibodies—proteins designed to recognize and attack foreign invaders like viruses, bacteria, and toxins. But in autoimmune disease, your immune system gets confused and creates autoantibodies that mistakenly target your tissues.
Think of autoantibodies like a case of mistaken identity: your immune system is trying to help, but it’s attacking your thyroid, joints, skin, brain, or gut, thinking they’re the enemy.
How Do We Test for Autoantibodies?
Different Antibodies for Different Conditions
Blood tests are the primary tool for detecting autoantibodies and diagnosing autoimmune diseases.
There isn’t just one autoantibody test—there are dozens, depending on which part of the body is being affected.
These markers don’t just tell us if our immune system is overactive—they can help pinpoint where it’s targeting and how aggressively.
What These Tests Can’t Tell Us
Autoantibody tests are incredibly helpful, but they’re not the full story. Some people can have positive autoantibodies for years without symptoms, while others may have symptoms of autoimmunity with no clearly positive tests early on.
That’s why we look at the whole person—your symptoms, history, and triggers—not just the labs. This is where naturopathic and functional medicine shines. We don’t just wait for a disease to develop fully—we look for patterns and early signs so we can intervene sooner and help slow, stop, or even reverse progression.
What Triggers an Autoimmune Disease?
The cause isn’t just one thing—it’s usually a perfect storm. Here is SOME of what we know can contribute:
Genetics & Epigenetics
You may have a genetic predisposition, but genes are not destiny. Epigenetics—the study of how your environment turns genes on or off—matters deeply. Have your genes tested (Yes, there are some great companies out there that protect your data)
2. Environmental Exposures and Toxicants
Chemicals in our air, water, food, and even household cleaners can be immune disruptors. Heavy metals, mold, pesticides, and plastic compounds (like BPA) all play a role.
Do you suspect an exposure to any one of these areas or multiple? I test all of these areas, too!
3. Diet & Gut Health
Your gut is ground zero for immune health. Poor digestion, leaky gut, and food intolerances can ignite or worsen autoimmunity. There is more to gut testing than looking at the big harmful bacteria and parasites. You can test your gut immune system and see what bacteria are there, what balance they are in, and SO MUCH MORE.
4. Stress (Emotional & Physical)
Chronic stress literally alters immune function. Trauma (both recent and past), grief, burnout, or even a physically stressful event like childbirth or surgery can tip the scale. Need support? Never be afraid to reach out for local support or online. If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and need mental health support, here is a good resource.
5. Chronic Infections
Viruses (like Epstein-Barr), bacteria, and chronic infections can trigger or exacerbate immune dysfunction. Chronic infections are one of the most significant contributors to autoimmune diseases that many providers almost always overlook. And yes, you can test (I do all the time!)
The Path to Diagnosis and Beyond
Where are you at in this journey?
You have the symptoms, you went to your doctor, and they ran ‘tests’ (basic), and they tell you everything is okay, but they NEVER tested for autoimmune disease despite having many symptoms of an autoimmune disease.
Solution: Let’s get you tested.
You have the symptoms, your provider ordered an autoimmune panel, and your results are positive for autoimmune disease.
Solution: See a specialist, often a rheumatologist, endocrinologist, or immunologist, to determine the recommended intervention level and medication options. Then, come see me to talk about ways to start healing and reduce the need for medication over time.
You have symptoms, and your autoimmune panel results are negative, BUT you still feel like something has been missed.
Next Step: look into possible mold, Lyme Disease, environmental toxicants, chronic infections, or heavy metals.
These areas can STILL cause symptoms without causing actual diagnosable autoimmunity.
You have symptoms, you were diagnosed and are on medication but feel worse on the medication than when not on it.
Next Step: follow up with your prescribing provider to discuss medication or dosage changes. If your inquiry goes unanswered, please reach out.
Yes, You Can Thrive with Autoimmunity
I’ve worked with so many amazing patients who felt like their lives were shrinking after their diagnosis—less energy, more confusion, more limitations… or even feeling worse on their medication than they were without medication.
But when we start peeling back the layers, supporting what’s been ignored, and empowering the body’s natural healing ability—things change.
I don’t just want to “manage” your symptoms and the results you see on tests—I want to help your body heal. For some, that means reducing the need for medication. For others, it means partnering with your conventional providers to create a more effective, whole-body approach to a healthier future for you.
Here to empower you with the knowledge of health,
Dr. Meg Holpuch
Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content shared here is not meant to replace or supersede the guidance or recommendations of your personal healthcare provider. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, supplement regimen, or overall health plan. Your health and well-being are unique, and decisions regarding your care should always be made in consultation with your trusted healthcare provider.
