The Case of an Overactive Immune Response

Have you ever wondered why the very system meant to protect you, your immune system, might begin attacking your own tissues? It may sound like science fiction, but this is the reality of autoimmunity: a breakdown in immune regulation where the body mistakes “self” for “foreign.”

And women bear the brunt of it.

According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, autoimmune conditions disproportionately affect women, as roughly 80% of those diagnosed are female. The symptoms are often vague, inconsistent, and easily dismissed, until they become too disruptive to ignore.

Genetics play a role, but the rising rates of autoimmune disease can’t be explained by heredity alone. Something deeper is driving this epidemic, something rooted in our environment, lifestyle, and internal physiology.

Autoimmunity isn’t one disease, but is commonly caused by persistent inflammation that leads to tissue damage and dysfunction over time. It’s a category that includes more than 80 distinct conditions, many of which are becoming more common. A few of the most commonly recognized include:

• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis – An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, often leading to hypothyroidism (low thyroid function).
  
  

• Rheumatoid Arthritis – A chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system targets joints, causing pain, swelling, and eventually joint damage.
  
  

• Celiac Disease – An autoimmune reaction to gluten (a protein in wheat, barley, and rye) that damages the small intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
  
  

• Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) – A systemic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks tissues throughout the body, including skin, joints, kidneys, and the brain.
  
  

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – A neurological autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves (myelin) in the central nervous system, leading to various neurological symptoms.
  
  

• Psoriasis – A chronic autoimmune skin disorder causing rapid skin cell turnover, resulting in red, scaly patches that can be itchy or painful.
  
  

• Type 1 Diabetes – An autoimmune condition where the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to high blood sugar levels and the need for lifelong insulin therapy.

Let’s explore how autoimmunity develops, why women are so heavily affected, and how we can begin to restore balance, not by chasing symptoms, but by addressing what’s happening at the root.

Why Does Autoimmunity Happen?

Autoimmune conditions rarely appear out of nowhere. They typically simmer under the surface for years, with symptoms that may seem disconnected or vague. Many practitioners describe its development as a “perfect storm,” involving what’s often called the autoimmune trifecta:

1. Genetic Predisposition

Some people are born with a higher risk of developing autoimmune conditions. You may inherit a “weak link” in the chain, but genetics alone don’t guarantee illness. Just because you have a relative with the disease doesn’t mean you’ll experience symptoms yourself. That said, there is often a genetic connection that makes the expression of those genes more likely. Relatives also tend to share similar environments, dietary habits, and lifestyle practices, factors that are worth considering. As the saying goes, “Genetics load the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger.”

2. Environmental Factors

These are the sparks that ignite the flame, or, to return to our chain analogy, the stressors that tug at the weak link, deepening the vulnerability. Triggers may include viral or bacterial infections, chemical exposures (like pesticides or pollutants), certain medications (such as NSAIDs or hormonal birth control), emotional stress, trauma, and even pregnancy. While many of these stressors can be addressed or minimized once identified, the challenge lies in pinpointing which ones are provoking an immune response in your body. This is why a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works.

3. Leaky Gut (Intestinal Permeability)

Your gut lining is designed to be selective, allowing nutrients in while keeping harmful substances out. But when that barrier becomes “leaky” due to stress, infections, processed foods, or inflammatory triggers (like gluten), larger particles can escape into the bloodstream. The body is prepared to absorb individual amino acids, fatty acids, and micronutrients—not partially digested food or microbial fragments. When these unexpected particles slip through, the immune system responds by attacking them as foreign invaders. Unfortunately, this defense mechanism can sometimes mistake your own tissues for similar-looking threats, leading to collateral damage.

This process, known as molecular mimicry, plays a major role in autoimmunity. For example, gluten peptides that enter the bloodstream may resemble thyroid tissue, prompting the immune system to attack both.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

In autoimmune disease, the immune system launches a case of mistaken identity, producing antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues. The resulting inflammation isn’t just a symptom; it’s what causes the tissue damage and dysfunction at the heart of these conditions.

Autoimmune symptoms are often sneaky and shape-shifting, starting with vague complaints like fatigue, temperature issues, joint pain, or digestive troubles. Flare-ups may come and go, and standard labs often appear “normal” until significant damage has occurred.

On average, it takes three years and at least four different doctors to receive an autoimmune diagnosis. There are generally three stages of autoimmunity:

• Stage 1 – Silent Autoimmunity: Antibodies are present, but symptoms are mild or absent.
  
  

• Stage 2 – Autoimmune Reactivity: Symptoms begin, and function starts to decline.
  
  

• Stage 3 – Autoimmune Disease: Tissue damage is measurable, and a diagnosis is made.

Most people are only diagnosed in Stage 3, after years of missed opportunities to intervene earlier.

Why Are Women More Affected?

One in twelve women are affected by autoimmune disease compared to one in twenty-four for men. doesn’t just affect women more, it affects them differently. While there’s no single explanation, several theories help us understand why women are more vulnerable, and understanding the contributing reasons behind can help provide better support.

1. The Immune System’s Balancing Act in Pregnancy

Women’s immune systems are uniquely designed to tolerate new life. During pregnancy, the body must accept a growing baby (with non-self DNA from the father) without rejecting it, while still defending against infection. This requires an elegant, complex balancing act between suppression and protection.

This adaptability is biologically amazing, but it also reveals how closely linked the immune and hormonal systems are. Pregnancy can become a tipping point for women already predisposed, triggering conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

2. Hormonal Shifts and Immune Function

Hormones like estrogen play a powerful role in regulating the immune response. When levels drop, such as postpartum or during menopause, the immune system becomes more reactive. Tissues become thinner, more sensitive, and more vulnerable to inflammation and infection.

These hormonal fluctuations help explain why autoimmune symptoms often worsen or change during certain life phases.

3. Greater Exposure to Environmental Triggers

Women are more frequently exposed to everyday chemicals through makeup, skincare, household cleaners, hygiene products, and processed foods. Over time, these exposures can accumulate and disrupt immune balance, especially in someone already predisposed.

What Can You Do?

While there’s no one-size-fits-all cure, supporting the immune system helps quiet the overactive response. The goal is to create an internal environment where the immune system no longer sees you as the enemy.

Here are some powerful, foundational steps:

Heal the gut - Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods that support the gut lining and microbiome.

Identify and remove food triggers - Removing foods that contribute to the overactive immune response is a critical step.

Balance blood sugar - Stable blood sugar is essential. Elevated insulin drives inflammation and disrupts immune balance.

Support digestion and detoxification - Eat mindfully to support liver and bowel function, and ensure regular elimination.

Reduce environmental factors - Evaluate your personal environment. Lower your stress load—mental, emotional, and physical.

Prioritize sleep and stress regulation - Rest to support immune recovery and repair.

Move your body regularly - Gentle, consistent movement supports lymph flow and immune resilience, without overtaxing the system.

Final Thoughts

The immune system, once trained to see something as a threat, doesn’t just “forget.” But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. While there’s no simple off-switch, there is a dimmer, a way to quiet the reaction.

By removing triggers, healing the gut, and supporting the body’s natural detox and repair systems, you can reduce immune activation and feel significantly better. Even small exposures to personal triggers can reignite the fire.