When you live with a complex health issue that affects your immune system, standard treatments may not always provide a complete answer. If you’re looking for an approach that does more than just manage symptoms, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy can offer a way forward.
Jill Schofield, MD, provides specialized care for conditions that impact multiple bodily systems, such as autoimmune disease and dysautonomia. Her Denver, Colorado, practice, Center for Multisystem Disease, centers on bringing advanced, innovative treatments to patients seeking long-term relief.
In this month’s blog, we explain what IVIG is, how it works, and how it might fit into your treatment plan.
Normally, your immune system defends against foreign invaders (antigens) like bacteria and viruses. But for people with autoimmune disorders, this protective mechanism malfunctions. It mistakenly sees certain healthy cells and tissues as threats and produces antibodies to attack them, causing inflammation and damage.
IVIG is a concentrated solution of human antibodies, made from the pooled plasma of thousands of carefully screened, healthy donors. But these healthy antibodies work differently than the harmful ones produced in autoimmune conditions.
Instead of attacking, the antibodies in IVIG help rebalance and regulate a dysfunctional immune system — a process called immunomodulation — calming overactivity and neutralizing the harmful effects of “bad” antibodies.
IVIG can be a life-changing therapy for individuals living with challenging immune-related conditions, including autoimmune disorders and immunodeficiency disorders. An immunodeficiency disorder occurs when your body can’t produce enough of its own protective antibodies, leaving you vulnerable to frequent, severe infections.
For patients with conditions like primary antibody deficiency, common variable immunodeficiency, and congenital agammaglobulinemia, IVIG serves as antibody replacement therapy, providing vital protection from illnesses and preventing serious complications.
In autoimmune disorders such as lupus, SjÓ§gren’s syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and certain forms of dysautonomia, IVIG provides fast, long-lasting relief from symptoms with a low risk of side effects. It can work alone or alongside other common treatments like immunosuppressive medications.
Your treatment is delivered directly into your bloodstream via intravenous (IV) infusions. The process can take a few hours, though the exact time depends on your specific dosage — so it’s a good idea to bring along a book or headphones to keep yourself entertained.
During the infusion, we monitor you closely to ensure your comfort and watch for any immediate reaction. While IVIG has a low risk of severe side effects, you may experience some mild, temporary ones, such as a headache, fatigue, or nausea. These are generally manageable and improve with future sessions.
Dr. Schofield determines how often you need IVIG infusions — whether weekly, every few weeks, or monthly — based on your condition and how your body responds to the initial treatment.
By working to rebalance a dysfunctional immune system, IVIG offers new possibilities for treating autoimmune and immunodeficiency disorders. Contact Center for Multisystem Disease to schedule an appointment and find out if this innovative therapy is right for you.
