Is It Working: AutoImmune
Monitoring Clinical Markers
1. Immune Activity & Inflammation
Flare frequency: Are autoimmune flare-ups (e.g. joint pain, rashes, digestive flares) happening less often?
Flare intensity: Do flares resolve faster, or feel less severe?
CRP or ESR (if monitored): Stabilization or reduction over months.
Pain and swelling: More “calm days” with less joint/tissue swelling.
A drop in flare frequency or severity over 2–6 months is one of the clearest markers.
2. Gut & Digestive Function
Bloating / discomfort: Reduction in daily digestive irritation.
Bowel regularity: More stable rhythm (marshmallow root mucilage + burdock support barrier healing).
Food tolerance: Fewer foods triggering symptoms.
Nutrient absorption: Gradual improvement in energy (iron, B12, minerals stabilize).
Early gut shifts can appear in weeks, while deeper tolerance takes 3–6 months.
3. Energy & Fatigue
Morning energy: Less post-sleep heaviness, more ability to start the day.
Crash cycles: Fewer severe mid-day or post-activity energy crashes.
Stamina: Can do a bit more physical or cognitive work without a flare.
Valerian + lotus help sleep restoration; schisandra and burdock support steady metabolic energy.
4. Mood & Sleep
Sleep continuity: Longer sleep stretches without waking from pain or anxiety.
Anxiety: Less preoccupation with symptoms; calmer nervous system baseline.
Mood swings: More emotional stability.
These tend to shift within the first 1–2 months if tincture is tolerated and consistent.
5. Immune Lab Markers (optional if patient is monitored)
Autoantibodies: In some cases (thyroid, ANA, RF, etc.), stabilization rather than steady rise.
White blood cell count: Less fluctuation, no chronic leukocytosis.
Liver/kidney labs: Indicating less systemic inflammation burden.
6. Quality of Life Indicators
Daily function: More days in a row where normal activities are possible without extra rest.
Fewer “sick days”: Longer stretches of symptom-free days.
Medication reliance: Over many months, possible reduction in need for rescue meds (if supervised).
7. Trajectory Markers (long view)
Plateau in disease activity: After 6–12 months, the illness hasn’t advanced (e.g., no new organs/tissues involved, no escalation in baseline symptoms).
Less new damage: Stabilized or slowed lab/imaging findings if tracked medically.
Hospital visits avoided: No ER trips or urgent care for flares.
Timeline expectations:
Weeks (2–6): early digestion/sleep/mood shifts.
Months (3–6): fewer or milder autoimmune flares.
Year (6–12 months): plateau in disease progression; slower rise (or stabilization) of antibodies and inflammatory markers.