Low Dose Allergy Immunotherapy (LDA)
Allergy
- Allergy occurs when the immune system no longer tolerates the external environment
Auto Immune Disease
- Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system no longer tolerates the internal environment of the body.
LDA
- LDA helps restore immune tolerance to the environment outside and inside the body.
Low Dose Allergy Immunotherapy (LDA) is a safe and effective procedure for relief of immune reactions including:
- Environmental Inhalant Allergies (Dog, Dust, Hay fever, Mold etc.) and Chemical Sensitivities
- Food Allergies (IgE / non IgE)
- Food and Inhalant Related conditions
- IBS, Inflammatory Bowel (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis)
- Other Colitis.
- Autism Spectrum
- ADHD Spectrum
- Chronic Ear Infections, Tonsillitis
- Dermatitis, Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea
- Asthma, Pharyngitis, Rhinitis, Sinusitis
- Food triggered Headaches and Migraines.
- Auto Immune Diseases: Inflammatory Bowel, Inflammatory Arthritis, Reactive Arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, ITP, Interstitial cystitis, Auto immune thyroiditis (Hashimotos), SLE (lupus).
- Other Conditions:
- Endometriosis
- Chronic Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Lyme disease
- Chronic Joint and Muscle Pain, NAFLD,
- Nephritic Syndrome
- Re-current Strep
- PANDAS
- Chronic Vaginitis
What is it?
LDA is an extremely low dose immunotherapy that uses broad-based mixtures of allergens (antigens) made immunologically active by the enzyme glucuronidase.
LDA History
Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization was developed by Dr. Popper, an EENT physician working in London. He found that “Hyaluronidase” injected into the nasal mucosa of patients with nasal polyps relieved allergy symptoms. Dr. McEwen of London in 1967 showed that the enzyme “beta glucuronidase” derived from hyaluronidase had desensitizing activity. Beta glucuronidase mixed with a tiny dose of allergen or antigen could stop allergy reactions by restoring tolerance in the T cells of the immune system.
What it does
Following the administration of the LDA, there is an increase in T regulator cells (Treg). The Treg cells address inappropriate cellular responses to substances promoted by CD4 (helper), CD8 (killer) and B Cells (this is where the immune system has been trying to protect you from things like food, environmental inhalants or even your own tissues). Simply put, this "shuts off" the allergic or adverse response.
This is in complete contrast to standard immunotherapy (SIT) practiced in the US where increasing doses of allergen are used over time. The frequency of treatment needed with SIT much greater, it cannot be used for foods and SIT and often stops working when the treatment is stopped.
Beta glucuronidase is recognized as a natural biological response modifier and is likely to be a significant physiological up regulator of the lymphocytic immune system.
All present evidence is that LDA restores the natural active cellular immune tolerance to specific environmental antigens (allergens), which has become deregulated in allergy and autoimmune disease.
The Safety of Low Dose Allergy Immunotherapy
LDA uses a natural pathway of immune modulation at a strength less than that which occurs in nature. An initial study of over 10,000 patients done in the US from 1993-2001 found no significant adverse reactions to LDA. In a United States study, repeated ear infections in children responded to LDA better than any other condition (we find that ear infections are most often caused by a reaction to foods). Many double-blinded studies have proven the effectiveness and safety of the LDA treatment.
Local Reactions
In most cases, patients will experience a localized swelling at the LDA site. There may also be some itching and redness. Rarely, there is swelling of the lower arm following the treatment which is a temporary reaction.
Temporary Unmasking
For some patients, there can be a temporary flare of symptoms following their LDA treatment, especially after the first one to three treatments. This is a good sign that the therapy will work well as we us progress in treatments. Your doctor will help you manage any unmasking symptoms.
Precautions required for best results
To promote the maximum beneficial effect of LDA, these are the important recommendations:
- For patients with environmental and chemically trigger symptoms, it is important to Improve environmental controls so your contacts are minimized starting 2 days prior to the LDA injection. If you have these types of allergies, then avoid cats, dogs, and clean a dusty or moldy house so that it's free of dust or mold by the day prior to shot. Stop using all fragrances and fabric softeners. You will be given specific information pertaining to your individual allergy triggers.
- Use the nutrient protocol that enhances the effect of LDA between the injections
- Have the nutrient IV for LDA (LDA Booster) at the time of the LDA treatment.
After the LDA injection
You will be given specific instructions to follow after the LDA which will limit any interference with the success of the treatment.
The LDA Diet Level 1
Diet changes are unnecessary for patients treated for solely inhalant or chemical treatments.
Avoid all known Food intolerances/allergies/sensitivities for the three critical days- the day before, the day of, and the day after LDA administration and for 3 weeks following. See Food Allergies page for additional information.
The LDA Diet Level 2
The LDA level 2 diet is followed for three critical days - the day before, the day of, and the day after - the LDA injection. Your doctor will advise you if this diet is necessary for successful treatment results.
When to take LDA Injections
They are given at 8 week intervals (allowing the T cells to mature) for 6- 18 sessions depending on the complexity/duration of your symptoms.
Cost
We charge for LDA based on the number of formulas used, plus the cost of your office visit. Most patients only need one formula, but your physician can discuss which option is best for you.
- LDA – Single Formula $65
- LDA – Two Formulas $125
- LDA – Three Formulas $175
We can bill most major insurance for your office visit.