LDI - Low Dose Immunotherapy
Denisa Rensen
During my years of running the Kona Wellness Center of Integrative Medicine in Hawaii, I had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Ty Vincent, MD. Our kids became good friends, and we collaborated as colleagues at the clinic. Ty’s approach to medicine, particularly his formulation of Low Dose Immunotherapy (LDI), was reaffirming and profoundly impactful. The body has an intrinsic capacity for bioregulation, and our job as physicians is to re-ignite that at all moments of care. Our discussions frequently reshaped my understanding of nuance in medicine. He’s a brilliant mind.
In the realm of integrative medicine, immune dysregulation and autoimmunity are significant challenges that profoundly affect people's lives. Chronic illnesses driven by immune dysfunction can lead to debilitating symptoms and drastically reduce the quality of life. Meeting Ty and learning about LDI added a whole new dimension to the solutions we could offer patients struggling with these conditions. Let’s take a look at LDI, a highly intelligent approach to establishing immune tolerance and bioregulation back to health.
What is LDI?
Low Dose Immunotherapy (LDI) is a treatment method designed to retrain the immune system to be less reactive to various antigens. This approach is particularly useful for individuals suffering from chronic illnesses driven by immune dysregulation, such as autoimmune diseases, allergies, and infections.
How Does LDI Work?
LDI works by introducing very low doses of antigens to the immune system to promote tolerance rather than provoke an immune response. This is similar to the concept of allergy desensitization but uses much lower doses. The low doses used in LDI are intended to modify the immune system's response to specific antigens, helping to restore balance and reduce inappropriate immune reactions.
Mixture Categories and Their Uses
1. Food Mix and Sub-Mixtures
Corn (2C-16C): For severe corn allergies.
Food (-) Corn: All food antigens except corn for patients who need specific dosing.
Cucurbits: Includes melons, cucumbers, and various squashes.
Dairy: Contains yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, and various cheeses.
Egg: Made from whole egg.
Fish: Includes tuna, cod, salmon, and other fish.
Fruit: Contains a variety of fruits from apples to strawberries.
Meats: Includes chicken, beef, duck, lamb, and more.
Nightshades: Peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, etc.
Tree Nuts: Almond, walnut, pecan, etc.
Peanut: Specific for peanut allergies.
Shellfish: Includes mussel, squid, shrimp, and more.
Soy: Made from dried organic soybeans.
Other/Miscellaneous: Includes crucifers, grains, legumes, seeds, and other miscellaneous plant-based foods.
Observed Uses: Food allergies, sensitivities, intolerances, Alpha-Gal, acne, eczema, juvenile RA, allergic arthritis, MCAS, migraines, chronic sinusitis, tics, tremors, Tourette’s Syndrome, hematuria, incontinence, and bed wetting (typically a dairy reaction).
2. Environmental (Env) Mix and Sub-Mixtures
Animals: Includes a wide range of animals from cats to wild boars.
Bugs: Contains various insects such as ants, bees, and spiders.
Dust: Collected from multiple locations across the US.
Grass: Various types of grasses including Bermuda, Bluegrass, and Timothy.
Mites: Includes species like dust mites and scabies.
Molds: A comprehensive mix of molds including Aspergillus, Candida, and Penicillium.
Trees: Includes a wide range of tree pollens from Acacia to Willow.
Tropical Flowers/Pollen: Includes local flowers, bee pollen, and coffee flower.
Weeds: Includes various weeds such as dandelion, ragweed, and sage.
Observed Uses: Environmental allergies, MCAS, MCAD, chronic sinusitis, asthma, and unexplained hives.
3. Chemical (Chem) Mix
Contents: Includes a broad range of chemicals from personal care products to industrial solvents.
Observed Dose Range: 3C-10C.
Observed Uses: Chemical allergies, sensitivities, migraines, skin contact reactions to metals, jewelry, soaps, detergents, EMF sensitivity, tics, and other related symptoms.
4. Individual Antigens
Artificial Colors: Treats reactions to food dyes.
Citric Acid: For citric acid sensitivity.
Essential Oils: For sensitivities to essential oils.
Gluten: Specifically for celiac and gluten sensitivity.
Histamine/Histidine: For histamine intolerance.
Latex: For latex allergies.
MSG: For MSG sensitivity.
PIO (Poison Ivy and Oak): For reactions to poison ivy and oak.
Molds, Lyme, and Infectious Diseases
1. Mold Mix
Contents: Comprehensive mix of molds including Aspergillus, Candida, Penicillium, and many others.
Observed Dose Range: 2C-10C.
Observed Uses: Mold allergies, sensitivities, chronic sinusitis, asthma, and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome).
2. Lyme and Co-Infections
Contents: Includes antigens for Borrelia (Lyme disease) and co-infections such as Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and others.
Observed Uses: Chronic Lyme disease, chronic inflammatory conditions associated with Lyme and co-infections, and autoimmune responses triggered by these pathogens.
3. Infectious Diseases
Bacteria: Antigens for Mycoplasma, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and other bacteria.
Viruses: Antigens for EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus), CMV (Cytomegalovirus), HHV-6 (Human Herpesvirus 6), Cvd19, and other viruses.
Fungi: Includes Candida and other pathogenic fungi.
Protozoa: Includes antigens for various protozoa.
And many others…
Key Aspects of LDI:
Individualized Dosing: The dose is carefully tailored to each patient based on their specific sensitivities and reactions. The goal is to find the "right" dose that promotes tolerance without causing a significant immune reaction.
Wide Range of Applications: LDI has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other chronic inflammatory conditions.
Safety: Due to the extremely low doses used, LDI is generally considered safe with minimal risk of adverse effects.
Navigating Resonse and Non-Response in LDI
Despite the potential benefits, not all patients respond to LDI in the same way. Here are some strategies to navigate non-response:
Adjusting the Dose: Sometimes the initial dose may be too high or too low. Adjusting the dose incrementally can help find the optimal level that induces tolerance.
Identifying the Right Antigen: It's crucial to ensure that the correct antigens are being targeted. In some cases, additional testing may be necessary to identify other potential triggers.
Patient-Specific Factors: Each patient’s unique biology and health status can affect their response to LDI. Factors such as co-infections, nutritional deficiencies, and overall immune function need to be considered and addressed.
Monitoring and Patience: LDI requires careful monitoring and patience. It may take several months to see significant improvements, and consistent follow-up is essential to adjust the treatment as needed.
Differences Between LDI and Homeopathy
While both LDI and homeopathy use low doses of substances to promote healing, there are key differences:
Mechanism of Action: LDI specifically aims to retrain the immune system to tolerate specific antigens. Homeopathy works on the principle of "like cures like," where substances that cause symptoms in a healthy person are used to treat similar symptoms in a sick person.
Dosing: Homeopathic remedies are often diluted to the point where no molecules of the original substance remain, relying on the "memory" of water. LDI uses measurable, albeit very low, doses of antigens.
Regulatory and Conceptual Basis: LDI is based on immunological principles and is more widely accepted in conventional medical circles compared to homeopathy, which is based on alternative medical principles.
Final Thoughts
Working with Dr. Ty Vincent and observing the applications of LDI has reaffirmed my focus on precision and personalized medicine. Each patient's journey to health is unique, and approaches like LDI exemplify the need for tailored treatments. This really smart and relatively innovative therapy, combined with a deep understanding of individual nuance and careful adjusting, can offer new hope for those struggling with chronic immune-related conditions. By continuing to refine these methods and understanding the underlying principles, we can better navigate the complexities of immune dysfunction and promote lasting health and well-being.
If you suffer with immune related conditions, like autoimmune or digestive concerns especially, feel free to reach out to see if LDI could be a part of your solution strategy. CONTACT us here.