Functional Medicine and Autoimmune Gastritis Diagnosis
Functional medicine adopts a holistic approach to diagnose and manage autoimmune gastritis. Innovative tests beyond conventional measures provide a nuanced understanding, including (4):
- Autoimmune Antibody Panels: Assessing anti-parietal cell antibodies and anti-intrinsic factor antibodies indicates immune system activity against gastric cells.
- Comprehensive Stool Analysis: Unraveling the gut’s microbial landscape offers insights into dysbiosis or imbalance contributing to inflammation.
- Nutrient Testing: Evaluating essential nutrients like vitamin B12 and iron for a comprehensive view of potential deficiencies.
- Food Sensitivity Testing: Identifying and mitigating food triggers alleviates stress on the digestive system.
Testing serum gastrin and pepsinogen levels, and measuring gastric acid secretion levels may also be helpful. Your provider may also identify the presence of underlying pathogens (such as Helicobacter pylori infection). These tests assist in establishing an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis, leading to better management and possible reversal.
Shop: Microbiome & Gut Health Testing
H. pylori and Autoimmune Gastritis
- pylori is a common gastric pathogen affecting almost half the population of the world. Some researchers believe there’s evidence to suggest molecular mimicry between H. pylori and certain gastric cells, and the immune system mistakenly tags these gastric cells for destruction. This could be a possible explanation for the occurrence of autoimmune gastritis in some people who have H. pylori present in their gut (5).
- pylori infection is also linked to vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to anemia and other complications if left untreated. In some cases, eradicating the H. pylori infection may improve or even reverse autoimmune gastritis symptoms.
Learn more: H. pylori Affects Half the Population, but Is It Harmful?
Hashimoto’s and Autoimmune Gastritis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common autoimmune disease, and it’s associated with gastric disorders in 10–40% of patients, while about 40% of patients with autoimmune gastritis also have Hashimoto’s (6).
Treating Autoimmune Gastritis with Functional Medicine Interventions
Once diagnosed, functional medicine provides a personalized roadmap for managing autoimmune gastritis, including nutrient supplementation, dietary changes, gut health restoration, and strategies to balance your immune response.
A functional medicine provider will also work to support proper gastric acid secretion. This is important to ensure you have adequate levels of vitamin B12, which you can also get from supplementation or B12-fortified foods.
If you’re living with autoimmune gastritis, lifestyle modifications may significantly improve your symptoms. Limiting alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, and smoking can reduce inflammation and irritation to your stomach lining.
Symptoms may also improve with a nutrient-dense, whole-foods-based diet, avoiding inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, and processed sugars.
Related: B Vitamins: Miracle Micronutrients
Decoding the Silence of Autoimmune Gastritis
Autoimmune gastritis may be silent, but some research suggests it’s a highly prevalent condition with severe consequences. Early detection, proper diagnosis, and treatment can help manage and reverse the effects of autoimmune gastritis. If you experience digestive upset or other unexplained painful digestive symptoms, it’s essential to speak with your healthcare practitioner, get functional medicine diagnostic tests, and adopt a diet and lifestyle that supports your gut health for optimal wellness and quality of life.
