Immune issues, ivig, and Autism

[Anonymous]

I was just doing some reading for a friend who just had a baby and is worried about vaccines and autism. In the course of doing that reading, I came across recent autism research that somehow linked prenatal exposure to ivig to autism. I've also been thinking about pursuing RI as a treatment for recurrent miscarriage and understand that ivig is sometimes part of that treatment. But, I don't know enough about either autism or ivig treatment for infertility to understand what implications, if any, these two pieces of information have for each other. Has anyone asked their RI about this? Anyone know?

[Anonymous]

Of course, no one really knows what causes autism but some of the latest research suggests that untreated maternal auto-immune problems may be a significant factor. The bodies of women with undiagnosed and/or untreated immune problems are thought to produce antibodies that attack fetal brain protein during prenatal development. It's scary stuff for those of us who've been diagnosed with immune issues. Here's an article that discusses some of this research:

http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2010/04/19/dan-van-de-water/

The Beer Center has also done work on this issue and found that IVIG taken during and prior to pregnancy actually reduces the risk of autism and ADHD in the children of women with immune problems. Dr. Beer talks about this in his book. If you're considering immune treatment for fertility, I'd highly recommend it:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0978507800/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=9991529831&ref=pd_sl_6aekap8rxp_e

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, pp!

[Anonymous]

IVIG provides passive immunity to any condition which a donor would have developed antibodies. It is thoroughly tested, screened, and filtered. A child who needs IVIG due to Pandas or another auto-immune condition should not receive vaccines because they are already being protected by the dose of antibodies they receive from thousands of plasma donors via IVIG.

So this could actually reduce the risk of autism (depending on what you think causes autism) because the child is not being exposed to the additives and other potentially harmful ingredients in the vaccine, but are still receiving antibodies to protect them from getting sick. So in addition to what PP said, this is another mechanism where the child would be protected.

I also recommend Dr. Beer's book!

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Regarding kids, autism, and vaccines, I have been finding out that the mercury (thimerosol) used as a preservative in many injectable medications is causing similar symptoms to autism. Mercury poisoning is serious. The vaccine companies don't want you to know about this but you MUST ask before you allow your child to be touched. Is it a one-time only dose? Stored in a big bottle where the needle is inserted then filled? What are the other ingredients? Alcohol is also toxic.

For a comparison of mercury toxicity vs. autism, see this link:
http://www.vaccinationnews.com/DailyNews/July2001/AutismUniqueMercPoison.htm

Those of you who have amalgam mercury silver fillings are also at serious risk. You may also notice unusual symptoms. The American Dental Association will try to convince you otherwise but they have been forced to alter their position due to many lawsuits. I have amalgam fillings (since the '60's) and they are leaking mercury, which is staining my teeth, and causing cracks. I am seeing a biological dentist who specializes in removing this toxin, and there are specific procedures to be followed which protect you from further contamination. See link at http://www.iaomt.org/

If you think mercury amalgam fillings are no big deal, then why is there such an uproar about the stupid lightbulbs filled with MERCURY? And you have gobs of it only a couple inches from your brain. Eeewww!!

There may also be other metals you or your child may be senstitive to such as nickel.

When in doubt, "follow the money." Why is everyone in the health field trying to get you to take shots all the time? What's in those shots? Where are they produced? Are the production standards the same as U.S. standards? Who makes the money from those shots? Why are they trying to scare you?

In reality, kids get colds, fevers, earaches, stubbed toes, cuts, bruises, scrapes, fishhooks in their fingers, and everything else. It's called LIVING. Take a basic first-aid course. Give 'em aspirin, hot compresses, bandaids, chicken soup and lots of love and acceptance. They'll grow up just fine.

My opinion of IVIG: It nearly killed my friend. The doctor was a jerk. Be VERY CAREFUL. Make sure your kid has no nutritional deficiencies or food allergies and sensitivities (tests available by Spectracell and Alletess laboratories) and if your doctor thinks this is not relevant, he/she is a jerk. There are plenty of wellness doctors around who don't play the "drug 'em and cut 'em" game just to suck up insurance money. Some drugs even CAUSE nutritional deficiencies -- they block the body's assimilation of certain vitamins and minerals.

Another good site is: http://www.askapatient.com/ You'll hear drug info right from your fellow patients.

Best wishes to all.

[Anonymous]

I have three cousins who are ASD, so I donate and try to stay abreast of the research. I have not read anything in peer-reviewed research about IVIG and autism.

The latest research seems to point to a problem in the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, which means that ASD children end up with too much testosterone rather than a healthy level of estrogen (which is neuroprotective). This causes damage to the brain from the earliest stages of development on (it's possible it can be detected in utero someday soon). There's more information here: http://gwtoday.gwu.edu/learningresearch/autismstestosteronequestion

So, to your point: I don't think that it's due to IVIG or an immune issue per se...I think rather it's an endocrine issue that's possibly exacerbated by issues we don't yet understand (which could include immune issues). It's too early to determine what is causing this issues; anyone who tells you otherwise is practicing some non-evidence-based medicine. HOWEVER, I think it's wise to take common-sense steps to reduce endocrine disruptions for all pregnant or soon-to-be-pregnant women, such as avoiding all plastics (which are tremendous endocrine disruptors), reducing exposure to phytoestrogenic compounds (soy is everywhere now -- look at processed food labels -- in too high of levels, it's just not healthy), reducing chemical exposure to food additives, etc.

If you really need IVIG, you should do it...but, if there's any lower-intervention way to address your issues, you may want to start there first.

Finally, to PPs mentioning IVIG lowers risk of autism: again, I haven't seen this in any peer-reviewed research. My nephew has Kawasaki's and needed IVIG to live (he would have had a heart attack at 2 years old without it). If IVIG is used "off-label" for non-evidence-based treatment, it might increase the risk of children dying from easily preventable causes like Kawasaki, due to IVIG's very limited supply. So, I just ask that no one pursues IVIG treatment "just in case" in helps prevent autism. For those cases it's indicated, of course it should be pursued.

And finally, there is no evidence to support immediate PP's claim that ethyl mercury (i.e. thimerosal) causes ASD AT ALL. You get more mercury from a single can of tuna than you'd get in 1000 vaccines (and the mercury in fish is the more dangerous methyl mercury rather than ethyl, the kind in shots).

I wish you all the best in your TTC journey, OP!

[Anonymous]

^^^ PP, this is the OP, and your information is about the sanest and most helpful I've found. THANK YOU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have three cousins who are ASD, so I donate and try to stay abreast of the research. I have not read anything in peer-reviewed research about IVIG and autism.

The latest research seems to point to a problem in the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, which means that ASD children end up with too much testosterone rather than a healthy level of estrogen (which is neuroprotective). This causes damage to the brain from the earliest stages of development on (it's possible it can be detected in utero someday soon). There's more information here: http://gwtoday.gwu.edu/learningresearch/autismstestosteronequestion

So, to your point: I don't think that it's due to IVIG or an immune issue per se...I think rather it's an endocrine issue that's possibly exacerbated by issues we don't yet understand (which could include immune issues). It's too early to determine what is causing this issues; anyone who tells you otherwise is practicing some non-evidence-based medicine. HOWEVER, I think it's wise to take common-sense steps to reduce endocrine disruptions for all pregnant or soon-to-be-pregnant women, such as avoiding all plastics (which are tremendous endocrine disruptors), reducing exposure to phytoestrogenic compounds (soy is everywhere now -- look at processed food labels -- in too high of levels, it's just not healthy), reducing chemical exposure to food additives, etc.

If you really need IVIG, you should do it...but, if there's any lower-intervention way to address your issues, you may want to start there first.

Finally, to PPs mentioning IVIG lowers risk of autism: again, I haven't seen this in any peer-reviewed research. My nephew has Kawasaki's and needed IVIG to live (he would have had a heart attack at 2 years old without it). If IVIG is used "off-label" for non-evidence-based treatment, it might increase the risk of children dying from easily preventable causes like Kawasaki, due to IVIG's very limited supply. So, I just ask that no one pursues IVIG treatment "just in case" in helps prevent autism. For those cases it's indicated, of course it should be pursued.

And finally, there is no evidence to support immediate PP's claim that ethyl mercury (i.e. thimerosal) causes ASD AT ALL. You get more mercury from a single can of tuna than you'd get in 1000 vaccines (and the mercury in fish is the more dangerous methyl mercury rather than ethyl, the kind in shots).

I wish you all the best in your TTC journey, OP!

Trust me, no mother takes IVIG because she thinks it will prevent autism in her unborn child. Do you have any idea how expensive IVIG is without insurance? Not to mention, there isn't a doctor in the world who would give IVIG to a pregnant woman for that purpose alone. As you and I have both said, no one really knows what causes autism. Research has supported many plausible theories over the years but in the end we still just don't know. I am the PP at 15:35 and I took IVIG because it keeps my immune system from killing my baby. If treating my over-active immune system means I'm somehow also reducing the risk that my child develops autism down the road (as I believe it may) that's a great side benefit, but it most certainly isn't the reason that I--or any RI patient I know--have pursued treatment.