In complex chronic illness—especially those involving infections, inflammation, and immune dysregulation—lab work can feel like a mix of science, strategy, and fortune-telling. Biomarkers can offer helpful clues about what's happening beneath the surface. They can suggest what might be driving symptoms, point us in the right treatment direction, and even help track progress over time.
But a word of caution: biomarkers are indicators—not oracles. They’re indirect, easily influenced by other factors, and not always reflective of how you feel. In our clinic, we use biomarkers to guide decisions, but your symptom response and overall progress always matter more.
Let’s look at a few of the biomarkers we often track, what they can (and can’t) tell us, and how we use them in context:
🔬 Eosinophil Cationic Protein (ECP)
What it tells us: ECP is released by eosinophils, immune cells involved in allergic and parasitic responses. When ECP is elevated (above ~10), it can suggest eosinophil-driven inflammation, which we often see with Candida overgrowth, Babesia, or environmental allergies.
Why it matters with Candida: Eosinophils can be triggered by yeast overgrowth in certain individuals—particularly when gut permeability, immune reactivity, or a Th2-dominant pattern is present.
How we use it: ECP helps confirm suspicion when symptoms and history suggest Candida or Babesia. Importantly, falling ECP levels during treatment can signal improvement, though this marker is not specific and can be influenced by other processes.
🧬 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
What it tells us: VEGF supports blood vessel formation and oxygen delivery. It’s often elevated in Bartonella infections, which inflame the vasculature and contribute to symptoms like pain, headaches, and neurological changes.
The twist: In chronic biotoxin illness (CIRS), VEGF can become suppressed due to long-standing immune dysfunction. So values that appear “normal” may still be clinically significant.
How we use it:
- VEGF >40 (even within the normal lab range) may suggest Bartonella in the context of CIRS.
- VEGF >115 is strongly suggestive of Bartonella involvement.
We’ve also found that declining VEGF levels can reflect treatment success—though, again, this marker is only meaningful when interpreted alongside symptom changes and other labs.
🌞 1,25:25 Vitamin D Ratio
What it tells us: This ratio compares the active form of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxy) with the storage form (25-hydroxy). A high ratio—typically greater than 2.0—suggests intracellular inflammation, which often occurs in the presence of infections like Borrelia (Lyme) or Bartonella.
Why it matters: Elevated 1,25 levels are a sign that the immune system is still in a heightened, dysregulated state. It may reflect ongoing immune activation even when other labs look normal—and can be falsely elevated if someone is taking high doses of vitamin D.
How we use it:
A high 1,25:25 ratio helps confirm that intracellular inflammation is still active, and often points us toward the need for intracellular antimicrobial treatment—whether prescription antibiotics or targeted herbal protocols. It's not a standalone marker, but when combined with symptoms and other labs, it helps guide timing and intensity of treatment.
🔥 Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
What it tells us: IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, meaning it’s part of the signaling network that activates and escalates inflammation. High IL-6 tells us the immune system is still “on alert.”
How we use it:
IL-6 rises in response to chronic infections, mold toxins, trauma, or stress. Elevated levels help confirm that inflammation is still active and may guide us to reassess hidden triggers.
🧨 TNF-alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha)
What it tells us: TNF-alpha is another key inflammatory cytokine, deeply involved in immune surveillance and response to infection. While IL-6 may signal general inflammation, TNF-alpha is more directly associated with persistent infection—especially intracellular or tissue-based microbes.
How we use it:
When used alongside IL-6, TNF-alpha gives us a clearer picture of whether infection is still active. Here's how we interpret the combo: