Which Of The 4 Immunotypes Do You Have? An Immunologist Breaks It Down

Did you know your immune system has its own identity? It's true: According to allergist and immunologist Heather Moday, M.D., author of The Immunotype Breakthrough, four common "immunotypes" can help you understand your own body's needs, so you can create a unique plan to develop a stronger, healthier immune response. After all, two people with different immuno-identities may have totally different reactions to the same trigger. 

But enough chat: Below, Moday breaks down the four immunotypes and how to tell which you potentially have:  

"You can also have smoldering inflammation if you're suffering from a chronic infection and if you have autoimmune disease," Moday continues, which underlies some of the other immunotypes we'll get into later. But for the most part, people who just have a smoldering immunotype don't have these other disease processes going on—they're just chronically inflamed," she adds. 

But in terms of actual warning signs, she recommends noticing any hallmarks of chronic inflammation. "For example, do you have prediabetes? Do you have a BMI that's up in the obese range? Do you have a history of gout? High blood pressure? Those would put you into that category," she says. 

Then we have the misguided immunotype: This refers to people whose immune systems have become "confused," says Moday. "Instead of tolerating their own tissue or their own cells, they become confused or misguided, so the cells start to attack their own tissues," she explains. As you can probably guess: Those with misguided immune systems typically have autoimmune disease. "It can be anything from autoimmune thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, you name it," Moday adds. 

Next, do you have any flare-ups or symptoms when you're stressed? Chronic stress, as we know, can be a significant trigger for some, as it can negatively affect the way your body handles inflammation. "Do you have issues in your family with autoimmune disease? There tends to be a very strong familial tendency for autoimmunity," she notes. For our full list of symptoms and signs, check out our autoimmune guide here. 

Hyperactive immune systems are a little self-explanatory; they're hyperactive against intruders, some of which might be harmless. "Our immune cells are trained to see things that are going to harm us," explains Moday. You know, like bacteria or a virus that could potentially damage those cells. "But something like tree pollen is not going to take us down and is part of our natural environment—but because of certain triggers and underlying things, people develop antibodies against relatively harmless things, like peanuts, cat dander, things like that." Hence, a hyperactive immune system. 

"These are people who have a lot of chronic allergies," says Moday. Do you face seasonal allergies year-round? "Do you have a history of asthma?" Moday poses. "Do you break out in hives randomly?" If you notice these patterns, you might be dealing with a hyperactive immunotype—but speaking with an immunologist can help you make the call.

It casts a rather large net, she continues, as there are a variety of ways to acquire this immunotype. Some are naturally born with a weaker immune response, while others obtain it through lifestyle factors—poor nutrition, chronic stress, and the like—that can "actually weaken our white blood cells2, our ability to make antibodies," Moday explains. 

Of course, there is some crossover between a weak immunotype and some of the others mentioned above. But according to Moday, you might fall under the "weak" type if you have encountered any of these risk factors: "Have you, or do you, take [oral] steroids at all? Have you ever taken any immunosuppressive medications? Do you get frequent colds? Do you commonly get food poisoning or diarrhea when you travel?" You may not have a diagnosed condition of any kind, but your immune system may have a harder time doing its job. 

Identifying your immunotype is only part one of the equation. But to know how to strengthen your own immune system, it's important to identify which "personality" it actually has. As Moday notes, "The immune system doesn't work on a linear scale—it really is multidimensional." And adding one of our favorite immune-supporting supplements to your routine may help, too.