Hydrogen Therapy Helps Complex Autoimmune Disease Patient Feel Better

Authors
Journal
In Vivo
Year
DOI
10.21873/invivo.14018
Study Type
Human
Outcome
Positive
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
Taiwan
Health Condition
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Body System
Immune System

TL;DR

Breathing in molecular hydrogen helped improve symptoms and immune function in a patient with overlapping autoimmune diseases.

Key Finding

A single patient with overlapping autoimmune diseases reported significant symptom improvement and favorable changes in immune markers after receiving molecular hydrogen therapy as an add-on treatment.

Summary

This case report describes one 69-year-old woman with three overlapping autoimmune diseases (Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, and lung inflammation) who received molecular hydrogen therapy alongside her regular medications. Over several months, she reported improvements in dry mouth, dry eyes, sleep problems, and shortness of breath, along with changes in blood markers related to immune function and reduced fatigue, which allowed her to reduce her corticosteroid dose.

Practical Takeaway

While this case report suggests molecular hydrogen may have potential as a complementary therapy for certain autoimmune conditions, it describes only one patient and lacks comparison to a control group. Much larger, well-designed studies are needed before any conclusions can be drawn about effectiveness. Anyone considering hydrogen therapy should discuss it with their doctor, especially since this patient was also taking other treatments including vitamin C.

Abstract

Background/aim: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) are chronic autoimmune diseases that often coexist. They share features such as systemic inflammation and multi-organ involvement and typically require long-term immunosuppressive treatment. However, long-term use of immunosuppressants can cause serious side effects, highlighting the need for adjunct therapies. Molecular hydrogen (H2) therapy shows anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, with potential benefits in liver, lung, and metabolic diseases. This case report examines a patient with overlapping SLE, SS, and interstitial lung disease (ILD), evaluating the effects of molecular hydrogen therapy on fatigue, immune modulation, and cardiac function. Case report: We present the case of a 69-year-old female diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome, SLE, and ILD. The patient exhibited chronic symptoms, including xerostomia, xerophthalmia, and respiratory distress, for which she had been receiving corticosteroids and immunomodulatory therapy. Given the persistent disease burden and concerns regarding long-term immunosuppressive therapy, molecular hydrogen therapy was introduced as an adjunctive treatment. Over several months, the patient experienced notable clinical improvements, including resolution of xerostomia, insomnia, dyspnea, chest pain, and dizziness. These symptomatic improvements correlated with favorable immunological shifts in T and B cell subsets, enhanced pulmonary imaging findings, and a reduction in inflammatory markers. Additionally, the patient reported a significant decrease in fatigue, allowing corticosteroid tapering and less reliance on nighttime oxygen. Ongoing hydrogen therapy with high-dose vitamin C maintained disease stability and improved quality of life. Conclusion: This case highlights the potential of molecular hydrogen (H2) therapy as a safe, effective adjunct in managing overlapping Sjögren's syndrome, SLE, and ILD. H2 therapy improved immune profiles and stabilized symptoms in a patient unresponsive to standard treatments.