Allergies, food sensitivities, and autoimmunity are reflective of a loss of immune ’tolerance’; when our immune system loses tolerance we become highly reactive, experiencing reactions to otherwise benign substances such as foods, airborne particles, and even our own tissue.

What is Low Dose Allergen Immunotherapy? How Does it Work?

Low dose allergen immunotherapy (LDI) aims to retrain the immune system, restoring tolerance to a hyperactive system. During LDA treatments, extremely dilute amounts of antigens are combined with an enzyme solution containing B-glucuronidase and injected intradermally in the skin of the forearm. The antigen combination may include extremely low dose amounts of inhalants, foods, chemicals, bacteria, and/or woods.

The combination of antigen and B-glucuronidase is presented to dendritic cells in the skin, subsequently signaling to the thymus via lymph nodes to produce specific white blood cells, known as T-regulator cells (Treg cells). These Treg cells regulate CD4 and CD8 T-cells that were miscalibrated to produce inappropriate, or overreactive responses to many substances such as food, bacteria, and airborne substances. T-reg cells have a half-life of about 40-80 days. Injections of LDA are provided at 7-8 week intervals in order to produce more and more Treg cells, slowly building up greater regulation and tolerance within our immune system.

LDI intradermal injections are administered every 7-8 weeks initially, with frequency decreasing with subsequent injections. With each additional injection, the accumulated number of T-regulator cells increases. Eventually, immunotherapy may either be discontinued or will occur with very long intervals between injections (1-5 years or more).

Who Can be Treated with LDA?

Many conditions and symptoms are related to a loss of immune tolerance. As a result, there are many cases in which an LDA treatment plan may be indicated. These include, but are not limited to: seasonal allergies, asthma, chronic sinusitis, repeated ear infections, food allergies, food intolerances/sensitivities, chemical intolerances/sensitivities, histamine intolerance, anaphylaxis, migraines, eczema, contact dermatitis, urticaria, arthritis of any variety, IBS, interstitial cystitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, candida/fungal-related illness, hyperactivity/ADD/ADHD, autism, autoimmune conditions including Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis.

Who Cannot be Treated with LDI?

LDI/LDA generally cannot be used if you are on certain medications that cannot be avoided for 1 week prior, and 3 weeks after injections. Additionally, injections cannot be given if you are in the early stages of an acute cold, are pregnant, have just been immunized, or have had dental work within the past 2 weeks. If Candida is suspected, a course of antifungal medication is prescribed for the week prior to the injections. All patients will undergo an initial consultation to determine if they are good candidates for LDA treatments.

What Can I Expect?

If you are a good candidate for LDI, your doctor will recommend either a basic or advanced protocol. The basic program includes 3 treatment sessions and 1 follow-up, spread out over 6-8 months. The advanced program includes 5 treatment sessions and 2 follow-ups, spread out over 10-12 months. Initially, treatments occur 7-8 weeks apart, but the distance between visits may be extended depending on your response to treatment.

The injections are given superficially, in the dermal layer of the skin, and involve a very small amount of fluid. You may receive up to 5 injections per treatment session. Immediate benefits are expected but the full effect can take 6-8 treatment sessions. Some patients improve immediately following an injection and notice improvements with each subsequent injection.

Others may notice a worsening of symptoms initially prior to improvement, including but not limited to local skin reactions, a flare up of systemic skin reactions, increased reactions to sensitivities, or food ‘unmasking' (reactions to previously tolerated foods). Our immune system response is not linear and we cannot truly gauge how you will respond long-term until we have completed at least 3 injections.

How Do I Prepare for Treatment?

In order to bolster results, a specific diet must be followed the day before, the day of, and the day after each injection (known as the ‘critical period’) in an effort to keep the immune system as calm as possible. For this reason, the use of certain medications is prohibited leading up to and after the injection. Additionally, certain vitamins, medications, or intravenous protocols may be prescribed to enhance the effects of the injection. Your doctor will outline a complete pre- and post-injection plan with you.

Are you interested in the LDI program? We are currently accepting new patients for the program that will officially launch in July 2019. Check out the program page HERE or contact us to book a consult with one of our participating Naturopathic Doctors.