Auto-immune disease

The human immune system is
complex and powerful.

It must be on guard at all times to distinguish
between friend and foe.

The gastrointestinal tract, being the largest surface organ in the human body, is the main defence line and the immune system is concentrated there. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always get it right and sometimes attacks the body’s own cells, causing a multitude of “autoimmune” diseases, from Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease to Rheumatoid Arthritis. There is emerging clinical evidence that point to auto-immunity and changes in the microbiome.

How auto-immune disease

can manifest in the body

Autoimmune Diseases Symptoms

Diagram 2 - Illustrates how Auto-immunity has the potential to affect different areas of the body and trigger a wide range of symptoms.

There may be a gradual onset of symptoms that can affect more than one organ or system. This is illustrated in diagram 2. Symptoms may be fluctuating or may be chronic, meaning they last 3 months or more.

Brain - Parkinson’s Disease, MS, Alzheimer’s, Gullan-Barre Syndrome, Autism.

Skin - Eczema, Dermatitis, Acne, Psoriasis, Rashes, Vitiligo, Scleroderma.

Thyroid - Thyroid disease, Underactive or Overactive Thyroid, Grave’s Disease, Adrenal Fatigue, Diabetes.

Lungs - Asthma, Wegener’s Disease.

Blood - Leukaemia, Lymph Gland Disease, Anaemia.

Gastro-Intestinal Tract - Ulcerative colitis, Celiac, Crohn’s disease.

Muscular Skeletal - Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Nerves - Peripheral Neuropathy, Diabetic Neuropathy, Parkinson’s Disease.

Our services

Dr Margarita will use her integrated GP experience and Functional Medicine training to get to the root cause of your health issues. Depending on your needs and current state of health, Dr Margarita will put together a bespoke treatment plan for you.

A typical patient journey will involve an initial month of data gathering, medical history and analysis, followed by an individualised treatment plan and ongoing consultations and support. Treatment can range from 3 months to 6 months or more depending in the complex needs of the patient. Functional Medicine treatment is not a quick fix and we work with patients over a minimum period of three months. Prices start from £399 per month and monthly instalments are available. If you are interested in working with Dr Margarita but are not sure if you are the right fit, reach out below.

  • We use the first month of working together to collect a rich current and past medical history using the Living Matrix questionnaire. We are interested in hearing all that you feel is relevant to your past and current health concerns. We then build a comprehensive health timeline report which helps us to understand the state of your health and assess your needs.

  • We utilise the latest cutting-edge functional lab testing to diagnose and then develop a personalised treatment plan. Testing may include:

    • Nutritional: food intolerances, allergies and sensitivities

    • Gut health: microbiome testing

    • Hormonal: female and male hormones

    • Toxic burden: heavy metals

    • Allergies

  • Knowledge is power. However, too much information can be overwhelming and confusing. At the Lantern Clinic, we are with you every step of the way, helping you understand your body and your symptoms to make the most informed choices based on your test results.

  • At different points in your bespoke treatment plan you will receive consultations and health coaching. These sessions are so that we can review our findings with you and recommend precision medicine and preventative lifestyle measures based directly on your personal data and testing results. Ongoing coaching is an important part of the Functional Medicine journey and will allow us to monitor your progress and review your treatment plan. These sessions are where you get to explore any problem areas of your treatment plan and seek further advice. Your journey to better health and wellness is a collaborative one and we are honoured to support you every step of the way.

  • We offer supplementation and functional herbal therapy based on your test results and personal data. You can rest assured that you are only taking what is needed and that supplementation is targeted and effective.

  • After an initial month working together, we will create a bespoke treatment plan for you which may involve:

    • Targeted nutritional advice

    • Movement therapy

    • Supplementation and functional herbal therapy

    • Bespoke medication advice

    • Lifestyle modifications

    • Ongoing support and guidance

    This is a personal treatment plan created for you based on the analysis and data received from your testing and health timeline. You will be invited to carry out the plan for a period of 4-6 weeks after which time, we will meet for a review of your progress. During the 4-6 week period we will be on hand to offer support and troubleshooting.

  • Your health and wellbeing is not always linear and there may be times (even after you have recovered) that you need our ongoing support. Once you have joined the Lantern Clinic and worked with us on an initial treatment plan, you will be able to book in as a returning patient to troubleshoot specific health issues should the need arise. At certain times, you may also wish to retest and check in on your health and we can support and accommodate further testing.

“When I consulted the Lantern Clinic, I was having frequent, severe flare-ups of lymphocytic colitis and the only treatment offered on the NHS was steroids which only controlled the symptoms temporarily and worsened an underlying condition. The prospect of living with this disease for the rest of my life was bleak. The testing offered by the Lantern Clinic was incredibly detailed and unavailable on the NHS.

The treatment I have received has made an enormous difference to my life and virtually all my previous symptoms have disappeared after only 8 weeks of supplements. I have been able to contact the Lantern Clinic at any time if I had a problem or query. The nutritionist's guidance was helpful and she was contactable at any time. You cannot put a monetary value on treatment which returns you to good long-term health.”

Our Journal

Browse our blog articles written by Dr Margarita on a range of health and wellness topics.