Episode Details

Autoimmune disease doesn't happen overnight — and for many women, symptoms begin years before a diagnosis is ever given. In this episode of The GoodLife in Health and Wellness, Dr. Kate Duncan breaks down Autoimmunity 101: When the Immune System Loses Direction, explaining how immune misfires develop, why women are disproportionately affected, and the early warning signs that are too often dismissed as stress, aging, or hormone changes.

You'll learn how the gut and immune system work together, why hormonal transitions like perimenopause can amplify immune confusion, and how stress, infections, toxins, and food sensitivities can push the immune system past its tipping point. This episode explores the science behind leaky gut, molecular mimicry, thyroid autoimmunity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and why standard labs often miss the early stages of autoimmune disease.

Dr. Duncan also shares why early recognition matters — and how proactive, functional approaches can help calm inflammation, support immune balance, and protect long-term health before permanent damage occurs.

If you've ever felt dismissed by "normal labs" while knowing something wasn't right, this episode will help you connect the dots and understand what your body may be trying to tell you.