Immunodeficient / Looking for Guidance Starting Peptides & Other Injectables

[startingup]

I'm a 46yo male with an apparently genetic immune deficiency ("common variable immune deficiency" -> body produces insufficient antibodies to ward off infections, especially respiratory bacteria). The condition made me a walking sinus infection for basically all of my 30's and into my early 40's. After *finally* getting correctly diagnosed and successfully treated (with weekly subcu immunoglobulin infusions), I no longer carry near-constant respiratory infections. However, I still suffer from low energy and slow recovery from both illness and exercise. This has also led to creeping weight gain (6'3" / now 215lbs).

I'm looking into peptides and other injectables to help address these challenges. My goals (in order): more energy, quicker recovery from illness, quicker recovery from exercise, and better physique. I've already started TRT, which has been helpful but not a total success. (It seems to cause greatly increased hunger, among other issues.)

Below are the other products I'm considering. In your experience, would this be a safe and efficacious cocktail? What would you leave out? What would you add in (peptide or otherwise)? Any dosage recommendations? Thank you in advance!

- Tirzepatide L-Glutathione (injection)
- NAD+ (injection)
- Nandrolone Decanoate
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- CJC-IPA Blend
- GHK-Cu Blend
- TB-500
- Thymosin Alpha-1
- BPC 157

 

[Guided_by_Voices]

A few ideas. Regarding recovery from illness, I would start with micro-nutrients. Do you ramp up you vitamin C intake whenever you feel an illness coming on? By ramp-up I mean go from maybe a gram per day to 5-10 grams per day? And add-in liposomal C? In addition, Vitamin D blood levels over 50 ,as well as good Zinc Selenium, Magnesium and Vitamin A status are essential. Have you been checked out by a good holistic Doc for things like mold exposure and/or a dysregulated microbiome? For example, one of my doctor friends completely fixed chronic colds with Vitamin D alone. It doesn't sound like you are far enough over-weight to consider the GLP-1 agonists, and other issues that are affecting your energy and which need to be resolved could be affecting your weight and your recovery from exercise. I have used everything in that list except the GLP-1 and the TA-1 and my two cents is that you need to figure out the cause of your low energy first and address that, as well as ensuring that your micro-nutrients are where they should be.

 

[startingup]

I really appreciate your feedback and advice. I've tried nutritional supplements in the past, but it's always been a bit like playing darts blindfolded. I've just taken the Spectracell Micronutrients Test (Micronutrient Test | SpectraCell), but am still awaiting the results. Hopefully that test will give me some empirical guidance for broad nutritional support. And no, I've never ramped up my Vitamin C to that level -- how long can one safely take 5-10mg of Vitamin C each day? I have noticed that fresh-squeezed OJ specifically from Whole Foods (not other vendors -- no idea why) seems to lessen my cold / flu / sinus infection symptoms and speed recovery somewhat. From the Common Variable Immunodeficiency online forums and PubMed articles, it appears that generalized fatigue is the second-most-common patient complaint following infection frequency/duration. Do you have a brand of Vitamin C that you would recommend, and/or a dosing schedule? Thank you again!

 

[Guided_by_Voices]

Regarding Vitamin C, you can take higher levels while your body is fighting an infection (think of C as being like the bullets for your innate immune system "gun") however I back down as soon as I start to feel better. It will provoke diarrhea if you take too much but I've never had an issue. I take a gram of liposomal C (I use the LivOn Labs brand) at the first sign of any issue, as well as Quercetin and Zinc lozenges, and then add in normal Vitamin C on top of that up to higher amounts. I take 1-2 grams per day normally. I use immediate release if I did a workout within 24 hour and the extended release if not. Note that Zinc lozenges specifically target the Oral/sinus area whereas dietary and supplemental zinc target the cell, but can take months to reach appropriate levels if you are low. If I'm not feeling better in a few hours I throw in some Ivermectin and some things that other people seem to think help like elderberry and licorice. In general however I think high Vitamin D levels (take with K2) and consistent C are the two biggest factors. I haven't had more than a slight 1/2 day issue since the beginning of 2020, and that was more of a stomach bug.

Also, note that most of what I wrote above in my first post refers to the innate immune response (the part that responds to things the body has never seen before) rather than the adaptive immune response, although nutrients are essential for both. IMO mainstream medicine wildly over-focuses on the adaptive immune system, however most of what our bodies have to fight off is being done by the innate immune system.

Other things you might consider which you will never hear from mainstream medicine:

- Taping your mouth shut when you sleep (and during the day if you tend to breath through your mouth). Your nasal passages apparently have their own anti-pathogen process.
- Nitric Oxide lozenges like the ones from N1o1, or beet root powder. Nitric Oxide apparently a big factor in reducing infections.
- Nebulized Hydrogen Peroxide, with (optionally) iodine and glutathione. I have see this resolve breathing issues/lung congestion in a matter of minutes. Look up the instructions from someone like Dr. Thomas Levy or Dr. Mercola since the H2o2 needs to be diluted, but your body makes it own H2o2 (from Vitamin C IIRC) and nebulizing it allows you to ingest it directly into you sinuses and lungs, in higher amounts.
- NAC is a precursor to Glutathione and may help as well.
- If you have used antibiotics, chances are good that your micro-biome is sub-optimal and you may need to work with someone who can help you re-populate it.

Regarding quicker recovery from exercise, step one is don't go to failure on any of your sets, but rather progress via gradually adding sets/volume at near-maximal weights. I have other opinions on that as well, but it sounds like you need to figure out what's sapping your energy and prolonging infections first. Overtraining or under-eating or stress can also damage immune function.