What if the reason your Lyme treatment isn't working has nothing to do with the infection itself?
In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K talks with pediatrician Dr. Scott McMahon, Medical Director at Moldco, about the immune system reaction that keeps so many chronic Lyme patients sick long after the bacteria are gone. Dr. McMahon explains how dead pathogen fragments can keep triggering the innate immune system, why standard labs like CBC and CRP almost always miss it, and which specific markers (TGF-beta 1, MMP9, C4a) tell the real story. He also walks through his treatment approach with binders, a low-amylose diet, and VIP peptide therapy, and shares data from his work on children with recurrent headaches, stomach issues, and PANS/PANDAS whose symptoms resolved once the underlying inflammatory response was addressed.
This conversation covers what chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) is, why it so often overlaps with Lyme and mold illness, and how the hypothalamus, blood-brain barrier, and autonomic nervous system get pulled into the mix. If you've been treating the infection but still aren't getting better, this episode explains the piece that's likely missing.
Key Takeaways:
0:53 Immune response drives chronic Lyme symptoms
2:53 Key labs standard testing misses
6:30 Dead pathogen fragments trigger the immune system
9:33 Binders, diet and VIP reset the response
16:57 Kids' unexplained symptoms trace back to CIRS
30:00 CIRS disrupts the blood-brain barrier and hormones
35:26 Low-cost telehealth model closes the access gap
Schedule a Free 15-Min Cancer/Lyme Consultation at The Karlfeldt Center: 208-338-8902
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Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.
What is Integrative Lyme Solutions with Dr. Karlfeldt?
Struggling with chronic Lyme disease and not getting answers from conventional medicine?
Integrative Lyme Solutions with Dr. Michael Karlfeldt explores evidence-based, integrative approaches to chronic Lyme disease, tick-borne illness, and co-infections — including Bartonella, Babesia, and Ehrlichia — through expert interviews and real patient recovery stories.
Lyme disease is known as the "great imitator" because its symptoms overlap with dozens of complex conditions, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Many patients spend years misdiagnosed or dismissed after false-negative Western blot results. This podcast cuts through the confusion with practical insights on functional medicine, herbal antimicrobials, detoxification, immune support, nervous system healing, and other integrative therapies that support long-term recovery.
With over 35 years of clinical experience, Dr. Karlfeldt brings the knowledge of a Lyme literate naturopathic doctor to every episode — helping patients and caregivers reduce their research time, ask better questions, and find a path forward.