FFN Autoimmune Case Study: How She Calmed Her MCAS & Came Off Immunosuppressants in 6 Months

FFN Patient “Marie”

40-year-old female who established care in May 2025. She joined our 1:1 coaching program with the goal of restoring her immune system, managing her autoimmunity and histamine-related symptoms, and coming off of her immunosuppressant medication.

Conditions

• Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS – autoimmune disorder that increases the risk of blood clots)
• Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)
• POTS / Dysautonomia
• Asthma
• PMDD
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) / Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)

Symptoms

• Bloating and acid reflux
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Headaches
• Ringing in ears
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Sores in mouth during luteal phase
• Brittle nails, ridges in nails
• Dry skin and dry mouth
• Salty/metallic taste in mouth
• Cold and heat intolerance
• Anemia (low iron levels), requiring iron infusions
• Anxiety and depression

Initial Clinical Strategy: Investigation & Stabilization Phase

We began by focusing on reducing inflammatory burden, stabilizing immune responses, and supporting foundational metabolic resilience. A large part of the initial phase involved investigating the upstream drivers contributing to chronic immune activation, histamine symptoms, digestive dysfunction, and impaired detoxification capacity.

Investigation

Initial comprehensive testing revealed a complex pattern of chronic immune activation, microbial imbalance, and environmental stressors contributing to her inflammatory symptoms. 

Viral testing showed a significant viral load of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and Streptococcal A, leaving her immune system in a chronically activated state. Advanced immune Lymphocyte Map testing further confirmed significant immune hyperreactivity, reflecting ongoing inflammatory and immune stress.

Advanced stool testing also revealed significant gut dysbiosis and immune suppression within the gastrointestinal tract. Findings included low levels of beneficial bacteria, elevated inflammatory and autoimmune-associated bacteria, low digestive enzyme output, and low Secretory IgA, indicating impaired digestion and weakened mucosal immune defense.

Finally, mold mycotoxin testing revealed elevated mycotoxin exposure, adding another significant layer of immune burden and inflammatory stress contributing to her overall clinical presentation.

Stabilization

Despite being on immunosuppressants, our initial priority was stabilization and calming the immune system considering the degree of immune activation and inflammatory burden present. We focused on supporting the body’s foundational resilience and nervous system stability, creating a more stable internal environment to help her body better regulate inflammatory and immune responses

Foundational nutrition support played a major role during this phase. We emphasized strategies to support metabolic and adrenal function while honoring circadian rhythm and nervous system regulation. This was especially important given the impact chronic immune activation can have on stress physiology and energy production.

We also implemented targeted micronutrient support to improve antioxidant status, support iron storage and recycling and support detoxification pathways. At the same time, digestive support focused on improving digestion, bowel regularity, and bile flow while reducing inflammatory stress within the gut. This stabilization phase helped create a more stable environment before progressing into deeper immune and antimicrobial interventions.

Key Areas of Support

• Anti-inflammatory support given ongoing immune activation
• Histamine and mast-cell stabilization support
• Micronutrient replenishment and antioxidant support for mitochondrial and immune function
• Blood sugar stabilization and metabolic flexibility support
• Gut microbiome balance, digestion optimization, and gut motility support
• Liver detoxification and drainage pathway support
• Circadian rhythm and nervous system support

Early Outcomes

• Improvements in energy levels
• Regular bowel movements
• Lighter periods
• Improvement in inflammation labs

Deeper Metabolic Support & Immune Modulation Phase

As her immune system became more stable, we shifted toward deeper metabolic support strategies aimed at improving metabolic flexibility, inflammatory regulation, and detoxification capacity.

Deeper Metabolic Support

Histamine and mast cell stabilization remained a key focus as we advanced her treatment. Through a combination of targeted nutrition and supplementation strategies, we worked to improve histamine breakdown and clearance while helping calm chronic mast cell activation. This was a critical area of support, as chronically elevated histamine levels perpetuate inflammation, disrupt digestion and estrogen balance, impair mitochondrial function, and place additional stress on metabolism and the nervous system.

We also continued optimizing liver detoxification pathways through targeted nutrition and supplementation support aimed at improving bile flow and supporting toxin binding within the gut. Additional nervous system and lymphatic support strategies were implemented to further improve digestion, drainage, and overall detoxification capacity.

Immune Modulation

Once her immune system became more stable and detoxification pathways were better supported, we began directly targeting gut dysbiosis and mold mycotoxins using herbal antimicrobial and antifungal tools. 

As her tolerance improved, we were able to layer in more direct immune-modulating therapies using personalized micro-immunotherapy protocols. Initially, the focus was on calming the hyperreactive immune response and reducing excessive inflammatory signaling that had been contributing to chronic symptoms and immune dysregulation. As treatment progressed, we transitioned into more virus-specific micro-immunotherapy formulas aimed at targeting the elevated viral loads identified through testing, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and HSV.

With ongoing symptom improvement and broader stabilization across multiple body systems, it became appropriate to begin gradually tapering down her immunosuppressant medication alongside the supervision and guidance of her physician. After 6 months of working with Functional Fueling, she was able to fully wean off of her immunosuppressants.

Clinical Outcomes

• Able to fully wean off of immunosuppressant medication
• Significantly reduced inflammation (high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP))
• Significant improvement in total iron and ferritin (stored iron) levels, eliminating the need for iron infusions
• Improved micronutrient status, critical for immune system support

Patient Results

• Replenished and maintained the highest iron levels of all time without needing an iron infusion
• Resolution of MCAS and histamine-related symptoms
• Resolution of dysautonomia symptoms (heart palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, cold and heat intolerance)

Progression of Inflammation, Iron, and Micronutrient Markers Through Care:

hs-CRP: 15.3 mg/L → 2.4 mg/L

Total Iron: 39 mcg/dL → 75 mcg/dL

Ferritin: 21 ng/mL → 41 ng/mL

Zinc: 78.8 mcg/dL → 92.5 mcg/dL

Initial Lymphocyte Map:

Repeat Lymphocyte Map (~1 year later):

*As shown above, her Total T Cell activity increased as expected following the discontinuation of her immunosuppressant medication, while her Total Natural Killer T (NKT) Cells normalized, which is critical for reducing cancer risk.

Initial Mold Mycotoxin Results:

Get to the Root of your Autoimmunity

Autoimmune conditions are rarely an isolated immune system issue. Instead they are a reflection of ongoing energy leaks.

At Functional Fueling we specialize in working with individuals navigating complex chronic conditions, helping to uncover the root drivers and build a clear, personalized path forward. Learn more about working with us in our 1:1 coaching program here.