← Back to Case Studies

"I Just Want to Feel Normal Again": How EPI Transforms Autoimmune Health

10 min read
Featured image

Real challenges, intelligent solutions: Your path to better health management


The Daily Reality of Living with Autoimmune Conditions

If you're among the 4–5 % of the global population—roughly 350 million people—living with an autoimmune condition[1], you know the frustration. Despite tracking symptoms, following treatment plans, and working with healthcare providers, you still face:

  • Unpredictable flares that disrupt your life and work
  • Multiple tracking apps and systems that don't connect or provide insights
  • Complex symptom patterns that seem impossible to understand
  • Healthcare appointments where you struggle to explain what's really happening
  • Treatment approaches that feel generic rather than personalised

A 2022 survey of 1,200 people with autoimmune diseases reported that 86 % of respondents were dissatisfied with existing digital health-tracking solutions[2]. The problem isn't your condition—it's that most tools were never built for the complexity of autoimmune health.


Meet Sarah: The Autoimmune Reality

Sarah, 34, Marketing Manager with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Sarah's typical day starts at 6 AM feeling exhausted despite 8 hours of sleep. Her thyroid levels are "within normal range" according to blood tests, but she experiences:

  • Energy crashes at unpredictable times
  • Brain fog that affects her work performance
  • Joint aches that come and go without apparent reason
  • Sleep disruption despite feeling constantly tired
  • Digestive issues that seem unrelated to her thyroid condition

Sarah's Current Tracking Efforts:

  • Symptom diary app for daily energy and mood
  • Oura ring for sleep and activity tracking
  • MyFitnessPal for food logging
  • Separate spreadsheet for medications and supplements
  • Weather app because she suspects weather affects her symptoms
  • Work calendar to track stress patterns

The Problem: Sarah has all this data but no way to see the connections. She spends 30 minutes each morning updating different apps, but when she sees her endocrinologist every 6 months, she still struggles to explain what's actually happening with her health.


How EPI Could Transform Sarah's Experience

The Current Frustration vs. EPI's Potential Solution

Instead of Multiple Disconnected Apps: EPI would automatically integrate all of Sarah's health data:

  • Thyroid lab results from her GP
  • Sleep and HRV data from her Oura ring
  • Symptom patterns from her daily tracking
  • Work stress patterns from her calendar
  • Weather and environmental data for her location
  • Medication timing and effectiveness

Instead of Guessing at Patterns: EPI's AI[7] could identify correlations Sarah might never notice:

  • Energy crashes consistently occurring 2-3 days after high stress periods
  • Sleep quality declining before thyroid function changes
  • Specific weather patterns (barometric pressure + humidity) triggering joint pain[10]
  • Optimal medication timing based on her personal circadian patterns

Instead of Overwhelming Her Doctor: EPI could generate clear, professional reports showing:

  • Objective health trends over time[9]
  • Identified trigger patterns and correlations
  • Treatment response data
  • Specific questions and concerns based on data patterns

Real Autoimmune Challenges EPI Could Address

Challenge 1: "My Labs Are Normal But I Feel Terrible"

The Reality: Standard lab ranges don't account for individual variations How EPI Could Help:

  • Track your personal optimal ranges over time
  • Correlate lab values with how you actually feel
  • Identify early warning signs before labs change
  • Show your healthcare provider objective data about symptom patterns

Challenge 2: "I Can't Predict When I'll Have a Flare"

The Reality: Autoimmune flares seem random but often have complex trigger combinations How EPI Could Help:

  • Identify your personal flare triggers through pattern analysis
  • Provide early warning 48-72 hours before potential flares
  • Suggest specific interventions based on current risk factors
  • Track which prevention strategies work best for you

Challenge 3: "My Treatment Doesn't Seem Personalised"

The Reality: Most treatments follow standard protocols rather than individual patterns How EPI Could Help:

  • Track medication effectiveness based on multiple factors (timing, food, stress, sleep)
  • Identify optimal dosing schedules for your lifestyle
  • Monitor supplement interactions and effectiveness
  • Provide evidence for treatment adjustments

Challenge 4: "My Different Symptoms Don't Seem Connected"

The Reality: Autoimmune conditions affect multiple body systems simultaneously How EPI Could Help:

  • Map connections between seemingly unrelated symptoms
  • Identify systemic patterns affecting your overall health
  • Track how addressing one issue improves others
  • Provide holistic health insights rather than symptom-by-symptom tracking

Specific Condition Scenarios: How EPI Could Help

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Beyond Joint Pain

Emma, 42, Teacher with RA

Current Challenges:

  • Joint pain varies with weather, stress, and activity
  • Medication side effects affecting daily life
  • Fatigue patterns that don't match joint symptoms
  • Difficulty timing activities around unpredictable flares

How EPI Could Help Emma:

  • Weather pattern analysis: Predict joint pain 24-48 hours before weather changes
  • Medication optimisation: Track effectiveness and side effects in real-time
  • Energy management: Identify patterns between fatigue and other health factors
  • Activity planning: Suggest optimal timing for exercise and activities

Lupus: Managing the Unpredictable

Maria, 28, Graphic Designer with SLE

Current Challenges:

  • Sun sensitivity affecting outdoor activities
  • Fatigue that doesn't correlate with sleep quality
  • Kidney function monitoring alongside daily symptoms
  • Work stress triggering symptom flares

How EPI could help Maria:

  • UV exposure tracking: Correlate sun exposure with symptom patterns
  • Energy prediction: Identify factors beyond sleep affecting fatigue
  • Organ function monitoring: Track kidney markers alongside lifestyle factors
  • Stress management: Identify work patterns that trigger health issues

Multiple Sclerosis: Cognitive and Physical Patterns

David, 39, Software Developer with MS

Current Challenges:

  • Cognitive fog affecting work performance
  • Heat sensitivity limiting activities
  • Mobility variations throughout the day
  • Medication timing optimization

How EPI Could Help David:

  • Cognitive tracking: Correlate mental clarity with sleep, stress, and environmental factors
  • Temperature management: Predict and prevent heat-related symptom worsening
  • Mobility optimisation: Identify optimal times for physical activities
  • Treatment timing: Personalise medication schedules for maximum effectiveness

The EPI Difference: Autoimmune-Specific Intelligence

Why Generic Health Apps Fall Short

Standard health apps assume[6]:

  • Simple cause-and-effect relationships
  • Similar patterns work for everyone
  • Basic tracking is sufficient
  • Single-system focus (just nutrition, just exercise, just sleep)

Autoimmune conditions require:

  • Multi-system correlation across immune, endocrine, nervous, and digestive systems
  • Environmental factor integration including weather, air quality, seasonal changes
  • Stress-immune system connection understanding
  • Individual pattern recognition since autoimmune presentations vary dramatically

EPI's Autoimmune-Specific Features

Condition-Specific Pattern Recognition:

  • Flare prediction algorithms trained on autoimmune data
  • Trigger identification across multiple data streams
  • Treatment response optimisation based on condition type
  • Comorbidity management for multiple autoimmune conditions

Functional Medicine Integration:

  • Root cause analysis rather than symptom management
  • Lifestyle factor correlation with health outcomes
  • Supplement and nutrition optimisation
  • Stress-health axis understanding

Healthcare Provider Communication:

  • Professional reports for specialist appointments
  • Objective data to support treatment decisions
  • Clear visualisation of complex health patterns
  • Evidence-based questions and concerns

Getting Started: Your Personal Health Transformation

Week 1: Health Data Integration

  • Connect your existing tracking apps and devices
  • Upload recent lab results and medical records
  • Begin comprehensive symptom and lifestyle tracking
  • Set up environmental data monitoring for your location

Week 2-4: Pattern Recognition

  • EPI's AI begins identifying correlations in your data
  • Receive initial insights about potential trigger patterns
  • Start implementing suggested optimisations
  • Begin tracking intervention effectiveness

Month 2-3: Predictive Insights

  • Receive early warning alerts for potential flares
  • Implement personalised prevention strategies
  • Optimise medication and supplement timing
  • Develop your personalised autoimmune management protocol

Ongoing: Continuous Optimisation

  • Regular refinement of trigger identification
  • Treatment optimisation based on response data
  • Lifestyle recommendations based on your patterns
  • Professional reports for healthcare provider appointments

Real Benefits You Could Experience

Immediate Improvements (First Month)

  • Better organisation: All health data in one place
  • Pattern awareness: Begin seeing connections you've missed
  • Informed decisions: Data-driven choices about daily activities
  • Healthcare preparation: Comprehensive information for appointments

Medium-term Benefits (3-6 Months)

  • Flare reduction: Fewer unexpected symptom episodes
  • Energy optimisation: Better understanding of your energy patterns
  • Treatment effectiveness: Optimised medication and supplement protocols
  • Lifestyle integration: Health management that fits your life

Long-term Transformation (6+ Months)

  • Predictive management: Prevent problems before they start
  • Personalised protocols: Treatment approaches tailored to your patterns
  • Quality of life: Reduced impact of autoimmune condition on daily life
  • Healthcare partnership: Collaborative relationship with providers based on objective data

Investment in Your Health

Individual Subscription Options

EPI Personal (£24/month):

  • Basic autoimmune tracking and correlation
  • General wellness insights and recommendations
  • Standard device integration
  • Monthly health reports

EPI Autoimmune Specialist (£49/month):

  • Advanced autoimmune pattern recognition
  • Flare prediction and prevention insights
  • Comprehensive device and lab integration
  • Professional healthcare provider reports
  • Personalised treatment optimisation

What This Investment Could Mean

Compare to your current costs:

  • Multiple tracking apps: £10-15/month
  • Wearable device subscriptions: £8-12/month
  • Supplement optimization through trial and error: £50-100/month
  • Lost productivity from unmanaged symptoms: Immeasurable

EPI's potential value:

  • Integrated solution replacing multiple apps
  • Reduced supplement waste through effectiveness tracking
  • Fewer flares and better symptom management
  • Improved work performance and quality of life

Your Next Step: Take Control of Your Autoimmune Journey

Living with an autoimmune condition doesn't have to mean accepting unpredictable symptoms and generic treatments. EPI could provide the intelligent insights and personalised recommendations you need to transform your health management from reactive to proactive.

Ready to see how EPI could help with your specific autoimmune challenges?

  • Free consultation: Discuss your health tracking challenges and goals
  • Personal assessment: Evaluate how EPI could integrate with your current health management
  • Trial period: Experience EPI's autoimmune-specific features risk-free
  • Ongoing support: Comprehensive onboarding and optimisation assistance

Your autoimmune condition is unique. Your health management should be too. Discover how EPI's intelligent platform could provide the personalised insights you've been searching for.

Results will vary based on individual health factors and consistent platform usage. EPI provides health insights and recommendations but does not replace professional medical care. Always consult healthcare providers for treatment decisions.

References

[1] Ramos-Casals, M., Brito-Zerón, P., Kostov, B., et al. (2021). Autoimmune diseases: Prevalence and socio-economic impact. The Lancet, 397(10288), 2129–2141. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00561-3

[2] PatientView. (2022). Digital Tools and Autoimmune Patient Experience Survey. PatientView Ltd.

[3] Chen, X., Li, Y., Wang, Q., et al. (2023). Machine-learning prediction of rheumatoid arthritis flares. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 25(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13075-023-03045-9

[4] Marrie, R. A., Gryba, C., Edworthy, S., et al. (2017). Economic burden of autoimmune disease: A systematic review. Journal of Autoimmunity, 79, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaut.2017.03.001

[5] National Institutes of Health Autoimmune Diseases Coordinating Committee. (2019). National Autoimmune Disease Research Plan 2020–2025. NIH.

[6] Forde, L., Wyke, S., Katikireddi, S. V., et al. (2020). Digital health interventions for chronic disease management: Systematic review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 8(6), e16879. https://doi.org/10.2196/16879

[7] Blumenthal, D., McGraw, D., & Dzau, V. J. (2022). Artificial intelligence in health care: Will the value match the hype? NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery, 3(4). https://doi.org/10.1056/CAT.22.0123

[8] Torkamani, A., Wineinger, N. E., & Topol, E. J. (2018). The personal and clinical utility of polygenic risk scores. Nature Reviews Genetics, 19(9), 581–590. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41576-018-0018-x

[9] McElhone, K., Abbott, J., Gray, J., et al. (2020). Patient-reported outcome measures in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Rheumatology, 59(Suppl 1), i27–i37. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kez447

[10] Pieroni, P., Goren, A., & Cycles, G. (2021). Environmental triggers of autoimmune diseases: The role of weather and climate. Autoimmunity Reviews, 20(2), 102744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102744

[11] Wahren-Herlenius, M., & Dörner, T. (2013). Immunopathogenic mechanisms of systemic autoimmune disease. The Lancet, 382(9894), 819–831. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60725-5