Autoimmune-Friendly Doctors Near Me Asheville

If you’ve been told your symptoms are “just stress,” shuffled from specialist to specialist, or left feeling like no one truly understands what you’re going through—you are not alone.

Many people living with autoimmune conditions feel dismissed, overwhelmed, or stuck in a cycle of flares and frustration. The conventional approach often focuses solely on suppressing symptoms with medications, without ever asking the deeper questions:
Why is your immune system overreacting? What’s triggering inflammation in your body? And how can we support real healing?

At Caring for the Body, PLLC in Asheville, we believe autoimmune care should be compassionate, comprehensive, and personalized. That’s why we practice functional medicine—a root-cause approach that looks at the whole person: your biology, your lifestyle, your environment, and your story.

By identifying the underlying imbalances—whether in your gut, hormones, nutrition, or immune system—we help you move beyond symptom management and into a sustainable healing process.

If you’re ready to be truly seen, heard, and supported, we invite you to take a new path toward vibrant health—right here in Asheville.

What Are Autoimmune Disorders?

Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system—designed to protect you—mistakenly targets your body’s own tissues, thinking they’re invaders. This chronic misfire can lead to persistent inflammation, tissue damage, and a wide range of symptoms depending on which systems are affected.

Autoimmunity can impact almost any part of the body, including the:

Thyroid (as in Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease)
Joints (Rheumatoid arthritis)
Gut (Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, Celiac disease)
Skin (Psoriasis, Lupus)
Brain and nerves (Multiple sclerosis, autoimmune encephalitis)

There are over 80 recognized autoimmune conditions, and many share overlapping symptoms. Some individuals may experience signs of immune dysregulation long before receiving a clear diagnosis.

Common early symptoms include:

Fatigue or low energy
Joint and muscle pain
Digestive issues
Skin rashes
Brain fog or memory problems
Increased sensitivity to foods, chemicals, or stress

Autoimmune conditions often develop gradually and can be difficult to detect in their early stages. That’s why early intervention, root-cause investigation, and whole-person care are essential to slowing progression, reducing flare-ups, and improving quality of life.

At Caring for the Body, we don’t wait for things to get worse—we help you uncover what’s driving inflammation now, so you can take proactive steps toward healing and long-term wellness.

What Makes a Doctor Autoimmune-Friendly?

Autoimmune conditions are complex, and no two patients experience them the same way. That’s why finding an autoimmune-friendly doctor—one who truly understands the layered nature of these illnesses—is essential to healing.

An autoimmune-friendly doctor doesn’t just treat symptoms or rely on standard labs alone. Instead, they take the time to listen, investigate, and partner with you to uncover the why behind your condition.

At Caring for the Body, PLLC, Dr. Cynthia Libert is known for her deep commitment to patients with autoimmune disease. Here’s what sets an autoimmune-friendly doctor apart:

Understands the Complexity
Autoimmune conditions often involve multiple systems—thyroid, gut, hormones, brain—and change over time. A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work.

Goes Beyond the Basics
We don’t stop at basic lab tests or prescriptions. We use advanced testing and functional assessments to uncover hidden root causes like leaky gut, chronic infections, mold exposure, or hormonal imbalances.

Focuses on Root Causes
Rather than suppressing the immune response, we aim to understand why the immune system is overreacting—and address underlying inflammation, toxic load, gut permeability, and stress.

Prioritizes Collaboration and Compassion
We believe healing happens in partnership. That means taking the time to listen, offering clear explanations, and walking alongside you with empathy and long-term support.

Conditions We Commonly Support

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
The most common autoimmune thyroid condition—often associated with fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, and cold intolerance.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
An inflammatory joint disease that can cause pain, stiffness, and fatigue; often linked to gut health and systemic inflammation.

Lupus (SLE)
A systemic autoimmune disease that can affect skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and more—requiring a whole-body, root-cause approach.

Sjögren’s Syndrome
Characterized by dry eyes and mouth, but often accompanied by fatigue, joint pain, and systemic inflammation.

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Autoimmune conditions affecting the skin and joints; often driven by immune dysregulation, gut imbalances, and toxins.

Celiac Disease
An autoimmune reaction to gluten that can damage the small intestine and lead to widespread inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and gut dysfunction.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
An immune-driven neurological condition where addressing inflammation, infections, and mitochondrial health can be essential for management.

Crohn’s Disease / Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel diseases that involve immune dysfunction and chronic digestive symptoms; we focus on microbiome restoration and gut healing.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME)
Often overlaps with autoimmunity; may be driven by viral load, mitochondrial dysfunction, and nervous system dysregulation.

Undiagnosed Autoimmune-Like Symptoms
If you're experiencing fatigue, joint pain, rashes, or brain fog with no clear diagnosis—we can help investigate hidden immune system imbalances and early-stage autoimmunity.

Why Functional Medicine Works for Autoimmune Conditions

Autoimmune diseases don’t appear out of nowhere—they develop over time, often triggered by a combination of factors that conventional medicine may overlook. That’s why functional medicine is uniquely positioned to help.

Instead of treating isolated symptoms, functional medicine takes a systems-based approach—looking at how your immune system, gut, hormones, brain, and environment are all interconnected.

At Caring for the Body, PLLC, we use this deeper, whole-person model to identify and address the root causes of autoimmune activity. Some of the most common contributors we investigate include:

Gut Permeability (“Leaky Gut”)
When the gut lining is damaged, it can allow food particles, toxins, and microbes to enter the bloodstream—triggering immune responses and chronic inflammation.

Chronic Infections
Lingering infections like Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Lyme disease, and mold/mycotoxin exposure can keep the immune system in a constant state of alert.

Food Sensitivities
Certain foods—especially gluten, dairy, and processed sugars—can provoke immune reactions in sensitive individuals, driving inflammation and flares.

Hormonal Imbalance Autoimmune conditions often worsen during times of hormonal fluctuation (like perimenopause). Estrogen, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and DHEA all impact immune function.

Environmental Toxins
Pesticides, plastics, heavy metals, and household chemicals can overload the body’s detox systems and contribute to immune dysregulation.

Dr. Cynthia Libert’s Approach to Autoimmune Healing

Comprehensive Testing

We begin with advanced, functional diagnostics to identify hidden triggers and imbalances that fuel immune dysfunction, including:

GI-MAP stool analysis to assess gut microbiome, pathogens, and inflammation
Food sensitivity panels to detect immune responses to common dietary triggers
DUTCH hormone testing for adrenal, thyroid, and sex hormone balance
Toxin and mold panels to assess environmental burden
Thyroid antibodies and inflammatory markers to monitor immune activity

Personalized Protocols

Once we uncover the root causes, we design a personalized plan tailored to your needs and goals. Your protocol may include:

Anti-inflammatory nutrition therapy focused on gut and immune healing
Targeted supplements to support immune regulation, detoxification, and mitochondrial energy
Lifestyle guidance on sleep, movement, hydration, and circadian health

Mind-Body-Spirit Alignment

Healing is not just physical. Many patients with autoimmune conditions carry a history of stress, grief, or emotional depletion. Dr. Libert’s faith-informed approach honors the whole person:

Gentle exploration of emotional and spiritual stressors
Coaching on stress resilience, breathwork, and nervous system regulation
Optional prayer and encouragement rooted in biblical principles of healing and restoration

Ongoing Partnership

Autoimmune healing takes time—and you don’t have to do it alone. We offer:

Consistent follow-up visits to adjust your plan as you heal
Access to our functional health coaching team
Optional membership programs for long-term support and community connection

Start Your Autoimmune Healing Journey Today

You don’t have to keep pushing through flare-ups, unanswered symptoms, or the uncertainty of chronic illness. There is a better way—one that honors your body’s wisdom, gets to the root of the problem, and empowers you to reclaim your health.

At Caring for the Body, PLLC, we believe autoimmune healing is possible with the right guidance, the right testing, and a personalized plan grounded in compassion and science.

Ready to take the next step? We're here to support you.

Schedule Your Free Autoimmune Strategy Session
Talk with a member of our care team to share your story, ask questions, and discover how functional medicine can help.
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Call Our Asheville Office at (828) 490-1545 Prefer to speak directly? We’d love to hear from you and help you get started.

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Our advanced diagnostic tools and individualized protocols are designed to help you feel better, faster—without relying solely on medications.