How to Test Immune Function & What the Results Mean

8 min readJan 27, 2021

Written by Brian Greenberg, MD for 1MD Nutrition

Dr. Brian Greenberg is an immunologist, allergist, and pediatrician who received his medical degree from the University of Florida, and completed his residency and fellowship at UCLA. He has practiced medicine in Southern California for almost 25 years. He also sits on the 1MD Scientific Advisory Board and is an ImmunityMD® and ImmunityMD® Plus Respiratory Health physician-formulator.

The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that work to defend the body against pathogens. Microbes that enter the body are defeated and remembered so they can be easily recognized and destroyed quickly should they re-enter the body.

Poor immune function can be the result of primary factors, specifically genetics, or secondary, acquired factors that impact the strength of the immune system, such as certain health conditions and toxic outside sources.

The immune system consists of special organs, cells, and chemicals that protect the body including:

White blood cells: These look for invading pathogens and stimulate an immune response once pathogens have been identified.
Antibodies: These identify antigens (substances on the surface of microbes) as foreign so they can be destroyed.
The lymphatic system: This consists of white blood cells, lymph nodes that trap microbes, and the lymphatic system which contains fluid that process and transport any debris leftover from immune responses.
Spleen: This organ removes microbes and produces antibodies and white blood cells.
Thymus: This gland produces a specific type of white blood cell called T cells.
Bone marrow: This is responsible for producing white blood cells.
The complement system: This system contains proteins that complement the work of antibodies.

How these components work together is important for your immunity and it is important to test immune function to ensure that it is working efficiently to properly protect you from invading pathogens.

Why Do I Need to Test Immune Function?

Proper immune system function is necessary for the body to defend your health. Whether genetics or an outside source have interfered with immune functions, the result is the same. Without identification and treatment, serious complications can arise including:

Recurrent infections, infections that last longer, or opportunistic infections
Death from serious infection
Possible damage to the digestive system (nearly 70 percent of the immune system resides in your gut, and if levels of the beneficial bacteria are low as a result of poor immune function, the digestive tract is more vulnerable to microbe invasion.

Proper evaluation of your immune system allows your doctor to identify if your immune system is functioning properly. If not, treatment options can be recommended to strengthen your immunity and help promote proper immune health.

Symptoms of Poor Immune Function

Your immune system is responsible for protecting the entire body and when not functioning as needed, several systems in the body are affected. The symptoms for poor immune function will vary across individuals, but the general signs to look for include:

Frequent cold and infections
Slow-healing wounds
Reduced red blood cell or platelet count
Skin rashes
Reduced function in organs
Digestive system problems

There are certain factors that can impact your immune system and being aware of these risks can prompt you to seek testing to help identify issues early so you can maintain proper immune health. Common risk factors for poor immunity can include primary risk factors such as having a family member that also has poor immune system function and secondary factors including:

Intravenous drug use
High risk sexual behavior
Limited access to nutrition
Overall poor physical health
Consumption of a large number of medications

Understanding Immune Testing

Should you feel that your immune function needs to be tested, you should see an Allergist/Immunologist. After a physical exam and an initial discussion of your symptoms and medical history, there may be additional testing to look closely at the immune cells and proteins in your blood that can be used to evaluate your immune function.

Blood tests are performed to determine if you have normal levels of blood cells, immune cells, and immunoglobulins in your blood to help support proper immune function. Blood tests can also determine if your immune system is responding properly to foreign invaders (bacteria and viruses) and producing antibodies that identify and kill them.

Not having enough immune cells or antibodies, having too many, and having immune cells or antibodies that do not work properly can be indicative of immune disorders. The specific immune cells that are counted are white blood cells which are produced in the bone marrow and move through your blood trying to find foreign microbes. Types of white blood cells include:

Lymphocytes: These include B cells which produce antibodies, T cells which recognize and remove microbes, and natural killer cells which attack and destroy viruses.
Neutrophils: These target bacteria and fungus and make up the majority of the white blood cells in the body.
Monocytes: These are the largest white blood cells and provide support during chronic conditions.
Basophils These are more commonly present after allergic reactions.
Eosinophils: These respond to invading parasites and stimulate an immune response in their presence.

A higher or lower than normal count of white blood cells can be indicative of a compromised immune system. Additional testing may be required to identify specifically how the immune system is being affected so proper treatment can be advised.

Treatment Options for Immune Function

The treatment options for immune function depend on the underlying cause. Infections are treated with antibiotics, allergic responses with antihistamines, and symptoms such as pain, fever, or congestion may be treated with other medications. Additionally, there are treatment options to boost immune function including:

Immunoglobulin therapy: This is a blood-based treatment that is used when your immune system is unable to make antibodies necessary to defend your body.
Interferon-gamma therapy: This injection is used to reduce the severity and frequency of recurrent infections. For individuals that are born with poor immune function, this therapy is rarely used but can be beneficial.
Growth factors: A growth factor is a naturally occurring substance that can stimulate wound healing and the proliferation of immune cells. An increase in the production of immune cells can provide support for a healthy immune system.

Natural Treatment to Support Immune Function

Several natural ingredients have been discovered that may boost immune system function with less risks or side effects. 1MD’s doctor formulated ImmunityMD® and ImmunityMD® Plus Respiratory Health contain clinically studied ingredients based on their targeted effectiveness for immune system health to better support immune function.

ImmunityMD® is a probiotics-based supplement designed to support immune function, consisting of a blend of probiotics and prebiotic fiber to support the digestive system’s ability to absorb nutrients and block toxins, which ultimately better supports immune function. In addition to these natural ingredients, ImmunityMD® also contains L-lysine and zinc, natural compounds known to further support your immunity.

L-lysine is an amino acid that helps support proper structure and function of specific antibodies that identify and neutralize foreign microbes. Higher levels of l-lysine in the blood increase levels of these antibodies to strengthen your immunity. L-lysine also has the ability to alter your body chemistry, so as to make it inhospitable for invading pathogens.
Zinc is an essential element for immune system function, helping to stimulate T cell activity and regulate the immune response.

ImmunityMD® Plus Respiratory Health is a doctor-formulated combination of natural ingredients that work synergistically to support the immune system and to promote proper respiratory function. This potent immunity and respiratory supplement contains effective doses of Pelargonium sidoides, a breakthrough traditional herb, combined with 8 essential botanicals, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Pelargonium sidoides: This herbal extract was traditionally used to soothe the upper respiratory tract and has been found to reduce the severity of common respiratory symptoms. It also supports the body’s natural healing rate and is effective at stimulating the immune system response to protect against foreign microbes.
N-acetyl cysteine: NAC possesses the ability to stimulate production of glutathione, an enzyme that can support healing along the respiratory tract.
Vitamin E: This essential vitamin plays a key role in immunity, stimulating the production of T cells in the thymus gland to support a stronger immune response. It becomes important to maintain levels of vitamin E through supplementation as our ability to retain it decreases with age.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C amplifies the effects of vitamin E by helping recycle spent vitamin E and by supporting immune system cell activity. Vitamin C also supports the body’s first line of defense by strengthening epithelial cells which serve as a barrier preventing microbes from entering the body.
Vitamin D3: In the form of cholecalciferol, this nutrient supports overall immune function by stimulating immune cell activity.
Chromium: This essential micronutrient supports the production and activity of key white blood cells responsible for attacking foreign microbes.
Marshmallow root: This herb helps support respiratory system performance and healing by expediting the removal of dead cells.

Final Thoughts

The immune system is your defense system and it is responsible for keeping pathogens out or removing them should they get in. Genetics and poor lifestyle choices can lead to poor immune system function, which increase the risk of chronic health conditions. Immune function testing is essential should you notice any of the mentioned symptoms. This allows for monitoring, more effective treatment, and support for a stronger defense.

The revolutionary formulas of both ImmunityMD® and ImmunityMD® Plus Respiratory Health are designed to support immune system healing and function. Regular testing, prompt diagnosis and 1MD’s natural immune system health supplements, will protect your health, maintain optimal immunity and enhance quality of life.