Where are you on the Autoimmune Spectrum? Why early action can transform your health

Written By Tina Hancocks

What if those nagging symptoms aren’t simply from “getting older”?

You’ve been feeling off lately - tired, achy or just not yourself. Maybe you’re chalking it up to a busy life, stress or maybe even perimenopause. But what if there’s more to it? What if those vague symptoms are early warning signs of something deeper, like autoimmune reactivity?

The truth is, the earlier you listen to your body, the more power you have to change your health story. In this post, I’ll break down what the Autoimmune Spectrum is, how to spot early signs and why taking action now can make all the difference to your long-term health. Stick with me - you might just find the answers you’ve been looking for.

Do any of these sound familiar?

Waking up tired, even after a full night’s sleep.

  • Achy joints as you wake that make you wonder if this is just “getting older.”

  • Brain fog that leaves you struggling to focus.

  • Afternoon energy crashes that lead you to raid the snack cupboard (and it’s probably not for hummus!)

You’ve tried the usual suspects - more coffee, going to bed earlier, even supplements you’ve seen recommended online. But nothing really changes. You might have started to wonder if this is just your “new normal”. It’s not, and it doesn’t have to be.

The power of early action: Mark’s story

Mark was like so many of us – pushing through the day, wondering why he felt off and frustrated when doctors told him everything was ‘normal’. But instead of accepting it, he decided to dig deeper… and it changed everything.  

Mark (not his real name), was only in his early 20s when he started feeling below par - fatigue, palpitations, anxiety and mood changes. He knew something wasn’t right. He’d always been fit and active and took a real interest in his health and listening to his body. He went to his doctor, but his tests came back ‘normal’. Frustrated and still feeling unwell, Mark trusted his gut instinct and came to see me.

Through deeper testing, including antibodies and genetics, we discovered he was on the road to developing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (a type of thyroid disease causing low thyroid function). The traditional medical approach might have been to wait until his thyroid function had significantly declined before offering treatment. But my approach is different. I focused on getting upstream - identified what was triggering his immune system to attack his thyroid and addressed those root causes, before significant damage occurred.

Over several months, I worked closely with Mark providing a personalised nutrition protocol, targeted supplementation and regular support. Mark’s symptoms disappeared, his energy returned and his antibody levels dropped - all before any permanent damage was done. This is the power of early action!

What is the Autoimmune Spectrum?

Autoimmune disease doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow-burning process which occurs due to a series of events, environmental inputs and a genetic picture that lays the foundation for the immune system to mistake your own body’s tissues for invaders. I refer to this as the Autoimmune Triad.

Autoimmune_ triad_image

The Autoimmune Triad

Once activated, you move along a scale which is now referred to as the Autoimmune Spectrum (a term coined by Dr Amy Myers), which has three phases and the first two are almost silent:

1️⃣ Silent Autoimmunity: Your immune system is making antibodies, but you don’t feel anything …yet.

2️⃣ Autoimmune Reactivity: You start to get symptoms like fatigue, joint pain or brain fog, but nothing severe enough to warrant a diagnosis. This is where standard tests can often come back as ‘normal’, despite you feeling off.

3️⃣ Autoimmune Disease: At this stage, symptoms are more significant, lab changes and organ or tissue damage. Examples include conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Rheumatoid Arthritis or Multiple Sclerosis.

The tricky part? Many of us sit in stages 1 and 2 for years and this is when early action can make the biggest difference. Studies show that over 10 million people test positive for autoantibodies years before any symptoms appear. Around 1 in 4 people are currently estimated to have autoreactive antibodies.[1]

That’s a LOT, right? So what should you look out for…  

Symptoms to look out for

These subtle symptoms might be your body’s way of waving a red flag and asking for help:

  • Persistent fatigue

  • Brain fog

  • Joint pain and muscle aches

  • Skin rashes

  • Digestive issues (bloating, stomach pain, constipation)

  • Weight gain or loss

  • Hair loss

  • Dry eyes or mouth

  • Swollen glands

  • Low-grade fever

I want all those other women out there, who don’t have a diagnosis, but who may be sitting in stage 1 or 2 on the Autoimmune Spectrum to take a moment to think about yourself and any early signs or symptoms and realise this is the time to take action. This is the point where you can turn things around before any significant tissue damage has taken place. Autoimmune disease is reversible if caught in the early stages of 1 and 2!

 And yes, I’m directing this at women as they are affected 2x as often as men. [2]

What are the most common autoimmune diseases?

There are over 100 autoimmune diseases, you can find the full list here. The most common in the UK are shown below.

UK_common_autoimmune_diseases

Common autoimmune diseases in the UK

Why early action matters

By the time you receive an official diagnosis, your body may have been under attack for years. Early intervention can change the course of your health. In my clinic, I use my Get Empowered programme to support women at all stages of the Autoimmune Spectrum. My approach is to work with your body, not against it - to understand what your immune system is trying to achieve and help it do that.

I work with you in my Get Empowered five-stage autoimmune recovery programme as your ‘personal health detective’, helping you uncover:

  • What is the root cause of your condition?

  • What needs to be removed that is causing problems?

  • What elements need to be rebalanced to support your body’s natural harmony?

  • What needs to be replaced and restored that is needed for health and healthy immune function?

  • What tools do you personally need to manage your condition long-term?

Get_Empowered_Five-stage_autoimmune_recovery_plan

The five-stages of the Get Empowered programme

Every person’s autoimmune journey is unique. That’s why I offer a personalised approach, adapting to your specific needs rather than relying on one-size-fits-all protocols  (I see you there following the AIP diet and getting frustrated!).

For example, the same inflammatory trigger can lead to vastly different responses in people depending on their individual initial circumstances and predispositions, just as the same intervention can lead to a range of responses. This is why I work closely with you to monitor symptoms and responses to interventions.

My programmes work to help your immune system find stability and support your body’s natural healing process.

What should you do next?

If you’ve been nodding along while reading this, it might be time to take action. Whether you’re curious about testing your antibodies or you’re ready to dive into a comprehensive recovery plan, I’m here to help.


If you’ve already had a test and know you have elevated autoimmune antibodies now is the time to take action – please don’t wait for the formal medical diagnosis (remember diagnosis only happens at stage 3 when the damage is done). You can make a huge difference and turn around the trajectory of your health if you take action early like my client Mark.

Here’s how you can get started:

Don’t wait for a formal diagnosis. The earlier we intervene, the better your chances of turning things around. You don’t have to settle for feeling “okay.” You deserve to feel amazing.

Looking forward to helping you on your journey to better health!

Skipped to the bottom? In summary

Autoimmune disease doesn’t happen overnight - it develops slowly, often with subtle symptoms that can be mistaken for everyday stress or aging. The Autoimmune Spectrum highlights the importance of early action, as many people sit in the 'silent' or 'reactive' stages for years before a formal diagnosis is made. By listening to your body and taking proactive steps, you can transform your health story, just like my client Mark, who reversed his autoimmune reactivity before permanent damage occurred. If you’re experiencing persistent fatigue, brain fog, joint pain or other unexplained symptoms, now is the time to take action. My Get Empowered programme offers personalised support to identify root causes, restore balance and help your immune system find stability. Don’t wait for a diagnosis - let’s work together to change the trajectory of your health today! Book in for a free chat below.

Tina Hancocks
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