How a suppressed immune system causes inflammation

When I first began studying autoimmune disease, I assumed it resulted from an overactive immune system, especially since treatments often focus on suppressing it. However, the immune system isn't that straightforward.

You see, when we think of the immune system, we often imagine it as a vigilant guard, always on the lookout for invaders like viruses, bacteria, and yeast. And that is why immune dysfunction is often linked to overactivity-a hyper-response that causes damage in autoimmune diseases, where the body mistakenly attacks its tissues.

However, for some people, the immune system's dysfunction may come from the opposite problem: suppression or under activity. This can lead to the accumulation of harmful pathogens, which can trigger a cascade of inflammation and a vicious cycle of immune dysfunction.

When working with clients who have autoimmune diseases, I often see two states: one where the client is highly inflamed, and another where their immune system is no longer functioning properly, becoming suppressed and dysfunctional. Would you fall within one of these categories?

In this article, I will explain how a suppressed immune system can cause inflammation and how you can determine if this is affecting you

How a suppressed immune system can lead to autoimmunity

An immune system that is suppressed or weakened lacks the necessary vigour to fight off common pathogens. As a result, viruses, bacteria, and yeast can build up in the body over time. The immune system's inability to mount an effective defence allows these pathogens to thrive, multiply, and spread.

This is often what I find in the stool tests I run for my clients. Over several years, bacteria can overpower their immune defences and establish themselves in the digestive system, leading to dysbiosis, leaky gut, and low-grade systemic inflammation. Klebsiella, staphylococcus and Citrobacter, to name a few, are linked to arthritis, psoriasis and interstitial cystitis.

And then, when your body harbours an increasing load of viruses, bacteria, or yeast, it responds by sending out inflammatory signals in a desperate attempt to control the growth and spread of these invaders. This 'cell danger response' can also affect the function of mitochondria-the powerhouses of the cell-leading to energy depletion and fatigue in the host

Unfortunately, this inflammation can become chronic and widespread, causing damage to various tissues and organs. Thus, a suppressed immune system can paradoxically lead to increased inflammation rather than reducing it.

How pathogens trigger chronic inflammation

When the immune system is underactive, it becomes easier for pathogens to build up, the main one being virus, bacteria and fungi, although there are others.

When not adequately controlled, viruses like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), or even latent herpes viruses can remain dormant in the body, reactivating when the immune system is weak.

These reactivations can trigger inflammation, causing symptoms like fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and swollen glands. Persistent viral infections can also lead to chronic inflammation, as the immune system constantly tries to attack the invader.

When I had chronic fatigue syndrome my viral burden was at the root of my symptoms, and only by addressing this did I see relief from my symptoms.

A suppressed immune system can also lead to bacterial overgrowth in various parts of the body, including the gut, respiratory tract, and urinary tract.

Chronic bacterial infections or imbalances, such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), can cause ongoing inflammation and damage to tissues. If you find yourself bloating after a meal, ou likely have an overgrowth of bacteria, which can not only be uncomfortable to live with but can also lead to nutrient deficiencies.

Additionally, pathogenic bacteria release toxins that contribute to inflammation, and the body's response to these toxins further promotes inflammatory processes.

And lastly, an overgrowth of yeast, like candida albicans, is another common consequence of an immune system that is not functioning optimally. This yeast can grow unchecked in the gut, skin, and mucous membranes, leading to localised and systemic inflammation.

When the immune system finally tries to mount a response, it may result in a flare-up of inflammatory symptoms, contributing to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue, or skin rashes.

I see candida as both a root cause and a potential trigger for autoimmune symptoms. For most of my clients with candida overgrowth, addressing this issue is the first step toward feeling better.

Could a suppressed immune system drive an autoimmune disease?

Autoimmune diseases are typically understood as conditions in which the immune system is overly active, attacking the body's tissues. However, in some cases, the root of the problem may not be an overactive immune system but a suppressed one.

I recall being in the throes of my autoimmune symptoms and flares, yet I never got severely ill or developed a fever - I just felt unwell all the time. Looking back, I realise that my immune system had no energy left; it was too weak to mount any response. As a result, my viral load just kept increasing.

A suppressed immune system might not effectively eliminate the buildup of viruses, bacteria, or yeast. As these pathogens accumulate, they affect cellular function and may trigger an autoimmune response. This creates a scenario where the immune system is both underactive (in its ability to clear pathogens) and overactive (in its response to the perceived threat).

For example, in some forms of rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, an initial infection might not be adequately cleared due to immune suppression. In a misguided attempt to eradicate the infection, your body starts attacking its tissues, leading to a chronic autoimmune response.

Functional testing to determine your immune status

If you suspect that a suppressed immune system might be contributing to inflammation or autoimmune dysfunction, several forms of testing can help determine if this is the case.

Firstly, stool tests can provide a detailed analysis of the gut microbiome, identifying bacterial imbalances, yeast overgrowth, and the presence of pathogenic organisms. They also test for an antibody called secretory IgA. I often see that secretory IgA is either very low, even in a highly pathogenic environment - indicating immune suppression - or it is extremely high, which suggests inflammation and often a food sensitivity.

An overgrowth of certain bacteria or yeast in the gut can also indicate that the immune system is not functioning adequately to control these organisms, contributing to chronic inflammation.

Viral panels can help identify chronic or latent viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV). This is one of the tests that I had done by my endocrinologist to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome. These tests can reveal if your body is struggling to control viral infections, which might be contributing to an inflammatory response.

You can also do comprehensive immune function panels to measure various components of the immune system, such as white blood cell counts, immunoglobulin levels, and markers of inflammation like C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). These tests can help determine whether the immune system is suppressed or dysregulated, and are often run as routine tests by your doctor as part of a full blood count.

And lastly, you can test for Candida and other fungal overgrowths can reveal if yeast is present in quantities that might contribute to systemic inflammation. High levels of these organisms may indicate that the immune system is not adequately suppressing fungal growth, allowing inflammation to occur.

While many people associate autoimmune diseases with an overactive immune system, it's crucial to understand that immune dysfunction can also stem from suppression or underactivity. When the immune system is weakened, it can lead to the build-up of viruses, bacteria, and yeast, triggering inflammation and compounding immune dysfunction.

In my clinical practice, I find that many of my clients have chronic infections contributing to their symptoms, and only by addressing these infections do they experience long-term relief. When I was diagnosed with post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome, I followed an antiviral protocol for three months. This was when I noticed a significant improvement in my energy levels, and I continued to get stronger from there.

Using functional tests like stool testing, viral panels, and immune function assessments can help identify whether immune suppression is contributing to your inflammation. If you suspect that immune suppression is at the core of your autoimmune symptoms, it's worth uncovering the root cause. Addressing this underlying issue may lead to significant symptom improvement, allowing you to regain your strength and vitality.