Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID)
This is not an autoimmune disease itself, but there is a link. I recently learned about when a friend was diagnosed. I find it interesting that there are so many different autoimmune diseases affecting the body. I had never heard about this one called CVID…so I thought I’d do some research and learn more.
Interestingly enough, it is fairly common form of immunodeficiency, occurring in about 1 in 25,000. However, like most autoimmune diseases the degree of disease can vary greatly from person to person.
What is It?
Deficiency in serum immunoglobulins
A decrease in IgA, IgG, and IgM levels
Absence of white blood cells
What causes it?
Frequent childhood/adolescence infections (Epstein-Barr, Meningitis, Conjunctivitis)
Linked to a genetic mutation
People with defective B Cells, which can happen due to genetic or persistent illness
Who gets it?
Can be seen in both women and men, unlike most autoimmune diseases CVID seems to impact both sexes equally
Often diagnosed in 30s and 40s
People with a history of: ear infections, sinus infections, respiratory infections
Often seen in people with a familial history of autoimmune disease
What are the symptoms?
May also have granulomas (cluster of white blood cells that causes a lump to appear on the skin or inside the body) - not cancerous
May have enlarged lymph nodes of the abdomen, neck, or chest
May also have arthritis or joint pain/inflammation often in knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists
Endocrine symptoms such as thyroid imbalance or disease
Gastrointestinal symptoms: stomach pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, nausea
People often experience: respiratory issues, diarrhea, frequent infections, and weight loss
Tumors of the immune system
What makes it worse?
Smoking
Living in a house or working in a building with mold
Possible complications?
Autoantibodies attack and destroy healthy blood cells or platelets
These patients have an increased risk of cancer due to the low functioning immune system
Approximately 30% of these patients will get an autoimmune disease, often people get hemolytic anemia (the immune system destroys red blood cells), rheumatoid arthritis, but all autoimmune disease are at a higher risk
Permanent lung damage from repeated infections
Can lead to issues with bacterial gastrointestinal infections
What can you do to manage the symptoms?
See a doctor to get assistance with treating the low levels of immunoglobulins, often using replacement therapy
Often x-rays are used along side various blood tests to track treatment outcomes
Follow an anti-inflammatory diet
Take supplements: Vitamin D, Calcium, Probiotic
Eat fermented foods to support the gut
Wash hands frequently, avoid people who are sick
Stress reduction, meditation, prayer, mindfulness
Sound healing
