Is CIRS an Autoimmune Disease?

Is CIRS an Autoimmune Disease?

When Sarah was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at 35, it was a relief—at last she finally had an explanation for the unrelenting fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog that had taken over her life. But after going through months of treatment with no change in her health, she began to wonder: Was something else going on? Her doctor dismissed the idea, but Sarah’s research led her to an unfamiliar term: Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).

Could Sarah’s condition be CIRS and not RA? Or could it even be both?

Many patients, like Sarah, initially receive an autoimmune diagnosis only to discover that CIRS was the real culprit all along. Let’s explore what CIRS is, how it overlaps with autoimmune diseases, and why understanding the difference is critical for effective treatment.

What Is CIRS?

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is a complex, multi-system condition caused by prolonged exposure to biotoxins, such as mold, bacteria, or environmental toxins. Unlike autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, CIRS is characterized by an inability to shut down the inflammatory response, even after removing the triggering toxin.

How Common Is CIRS?

Although precise statistics are hard to find, studies suggest that:

• 24% of the population carry a genetic predisposition (HLA-DR/DQ) to CIRS.
• More than 50% of CIRS cases are linked to water-damaged buildings. At least 1 in 4 homes in North America have experienced water damage.

CIRS and the Autoimmune Connection

Autoimmune diseases, like lupus, RA, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. Both CIRS and autoimmune diseases share certain symptoms, including:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Cognitive difficulties (brain fog)
• Muscle aches

Because of these overlaps, many people with CIRS are initially misdiagnosed with autoimmune diseases. This misdiagnosis can delay effective treatment and worsen symptoms.

How Is CIRS Different from Autoimmunity?

Despite the similarities, CIRS is fundamentally different from autoimmune diseases in several ways:

 1. Root Cause:

• Autoimmune Diseases are triggered by immune dysregulation leading to self-attack.
• CIRS is triggered by environmental toxins (e.g., mold, Lyme disease bacteria) that the body struggles to eliminate.

2. Immune System Behavior:

• In autoimmunity, the immune system attacks healthy tissue.
• In CIRS, the immune system is stuck in overdrive, unable to “turn off” the inflammatory response.

3. Treatment Response:

• Autoimmune diseases often require immune-suppressing medications.
• CIRS responds best to treatments targeting biotoxin removal, environmental remediation, and immune support.

What Most Websites Don’t Tell You

While most autoimmune and CIRS discussions focus on symptoms or treatments, let’s dive into lesser-known details:

1. Cytokine Storms:

CIRS can trigger a release of cytokines. Cytokines are proteins that drive inflammation. Elevated levels of inflammatory markers like TGF-beta1 and MMP-9 are hallmarks of CIRS but not common in autoimmune diseases.

2. Neuroinflammation and Brain Damage:

Research shows that CIRS can reduce grey matter in the brain, leading to cognitive dysfunction. While autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis can also affect the brain, the mechanism is distinct.

3. Misdiagnosed Autoimmunity:

• Studies estimate that up to 20% of autoimmune disease diagnoses could involve other inflammatory conditions, including CIRS.
• Misdiagnosis is widespread when standard autoimmunity markers are borderline or inconclusive.

4. Genetics:

Unlike autoimmunity, CIRS is closely linked to specific genetic markers (HLA-DR/DQ haplotypes). This predisposes individuals with these genetic markers to chronic inflammation after biotoxin exposure.

What the Research Says

Here are five pivotal studies shedding light on CIRS and its differentiation from autoimmunity:

1. Shoemaker, R. C., et al. (2014). Biotoxin Pathway and Its Role in Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome: This study outlines the genetic and inflammatory markers that distinguish CIRS from other diseases.
2. Brewer, J. H., et al. (2013). Mold Exposure and Its Impact on Chronic Illness: Highlights how mold exposure can mimic autoimmune conditions.
3. Gray, M. R., et al. (2020). Cytokine Profiles in CIRS: Discusses how cytokine testing can differentiate CIRS from autoimmune conditions.
4. Richie Shoemaker, et al. (2010). NeuroQuant MRI in CIRS: Examines brain structure changes unique to CIRS.
5. Taylor, K. L., et al. (2019). Overlap Between Autoimmunity and Environmental Illness: Discusses diagnostic challenges in differentiating between autoimmunity and CIRS.

Diagnosed with an Autoimmune Disease? It Could Be CIRS

If you’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease but treatments haven’t helped—or if you suspect your symptoms are environmental—consider the possibility of CIRS. Key clues to look for include:

• Symptoms that get worse after exposure to water-damaged buildings or other environmental triggers.
• No improvement with standard autoimmune treatments.
• Unexplained cognitive symptoms, such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating.

At Flourish Clinic, we specialize in identifying and treating CIRS through advanced testing, personalized protocols, and environmental support. If you’re not getting better, we can help uncover the true source of your symptoms.

CIRS and autoimmune diseases may share symptoms, but they’re fundamentally different in origin, immune system behaviour, and treatment. Misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary suffering, but with the right information, you can take control of your health.

Could understanding the difference between CIRS and autoimmunity be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for?

 

Mark Volmer has attained the highest level of Shoemaker Protocol certification, and is one of only two of Canada’s Shoemaker Protocol practitioners. The Shoemaker Protocol is the only scientifically proven method of treating CIRS.