Immunodeficiency, Autoimmune Conditions and Immunosuppression

Why this page is separate

These are medical conditions or medical treatment states, not the ordinary "run-down" feeling many people call low immunity. They need diagnosis and care from clinicians. This page explains what the terms mean and what is known about supplements at an overview level. It does not diagnose, and it never suggests changing a prescribed medicine.

Three different situations

Immunodeficiency

Immunodeficiency diseases may affect any part of the immune system. Most often, T or B lymphocytes (white blood cells), or both, do not function normally, or the body does not produce enough antibodies. Some are inherited. [1] Others are acquired: HIV/AIDS, malnutrition (especially not enough protein), many cancers, removal of the spleen, and ageing can all play a part, and diabetes raises the risk of certain infections. [1] People with immunodeficiency get sick more often, and infections may last longer and be more serious and harder to treat. [3]

A clinician may suspect it with infections that keep coming back or do not go away, severe infections from germs that do not usually cause them, poor response to treatment, or delayed recovery. [1] Tests can include immunoglobulin levels, white blood cell counts and checking responses to vaccines. The goal of treatment is to prevent infections and treat any that develop, and approaches depend on the condition. [1] See getting sick often.

Autoimmune conditions

MedlinePlus says there are more than 80 types of autoimmune disease, affecting almost any part of the body. Examples include alopecia areata (skin and hair), autoimmune hepatitis (liver), type 1 diabetes (pancreas) and rheumatoid arthritis. No one is sure why they happen; you cannot catch them from others, they tend to run in families, and viruses, chemicals and other environmental factors may trigger them in people with the genes. Women develop many types more often than men. [2]

Immunosuppression

Examples of medicines that weaken the immune system include corticosteroids, medicines used for rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and certain skin conditions, and chemotherapy. [1] People who have had organ transplants take immunosuppressive medicines such as tacrolimus. [4]

Supplements and herbs: the cautious overview

Proper evidence not found for supplements, herbs or foods as safe treatments for autoimmune disease or as "immune support" in immunodeficiency in the sources we could read. What we did find is about safety:

• NCCIH says there are theoretical reasons to suspect echinacea might interact with immunosuppressants. [5] See echinacea.
• A review of tacrolimus found that grapefruit, ginger and turmeric can raise its blood levels, while St. John's wort can lower them and reduce its effect. The review calls the use of Panax ginseng, green tea, Schisandra sphenanthera and melatonin with tacrolimus highly controversial. [4]
• A review in pediatric transplant recipients says several herbal products can alter immune status, change blood levels of immunosuppressive drugs, or cause kidney or liver harm, and some should be avoided. [6]
• "Immune boosting" products are a poor fit when the immune system is already overactive. Do not assume a product that claims to "stimulate" immunity is safe with an autoimmune condition. [2]

Always talk to the prescriber or pharmacist before starting any supplement. See how interactions work, St. John's wort interactions and grapefruit and medication interactions.