Episode #222: EBOO and TPE: Breakthrough Therapies for Chronic Illness with Dr. Tami Lyday, DO, MS
In a Nutshell
Dr. Tami Lyday, a functional medicine expert in mold illness, Lyme, and autoimmunity, uses **EBOO** (extracorporeal blood oxygenation/ozonation, ~$1,500/session, treats 2L blood to kill viruses/bacteria, reduce fibrin/inflammation, boost mitochondria) and **TPE** (therapeutic plasma exchange, ~$7,000/session, removes cytokines/toxins/spike proteins/mycotoxins from plasma) as breakthrough therapies for chronic conditions like Hashimoto's, Long COVID, dementia, CFS, fibromyalgia, and neurodegeneration—often resolving symptoms after addressing mold first with binders (e.g., cholestyramine), antifungals (e.g., BEGGi nasal spray, nystatin), and environment remediation (ERMI/HERTSMI-2 testing). 90% of "chronic Lyme" cases involve mold; these therapies excel post-detox (3x weekly EBOO initially, 2x weekly TPE for severe cases), combined with stem cells for regeneration, yielding dramatic gains like 61% cognitive improvement and brain fog clearance. Access via thelidaycenter.com; she plans mold-free healing centers for optimal results.
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Episode 222: EBOO and TPE: Breakthrough Therapies for Chronic Illness with Dr. Tami Lyday, DO, MS. Dr. Tami Lyday has been a physician since 2006, functional and integrative specialist since 2017. Spent 11 years as family practitioner, unsatisfied with conventional approaches. Mother's illness and treatment side effects led to integrative medicine. Functional medicine addresses root causes, not symptom-treating medications. Training in functional medicine, mold-related illness, and Lyme disease. One of only 26 Shoemaker-certified practitioners for mold protocols. Opened Lyday Center for mystery illnesses unresponsive to conventional treatment, seeking natural solutions. Expanded to thyroid disorders and energy levels. Mission: heal the world, one patient at a time.
Expert in mold illness, chronic Lyme, autoimmunity, complex chronic conditions. Uses EBOO (extracorporeal blood oxygenation and ozonation) and TPE (therapeutic plasma exchange) for challenging cases.
Started as conventional doctor giving drugs in 8-12 minute visits. Mother's breast cancer during residency in Illinois sparked journey. Mom had breast removal, implants, became autoimmune. Learned acupuncture for her chronic pain, worked until plateau. Added tools as needed. Mom stabilized but dropped functional journey due to time and effort. Dr. Lyday addressed own chronic daily headaches since age 6. Neurologists and neurosurgeons suggested Vicodin, dismissed. Suspected Lyme/co-infections from age 12 summer camp in Eagle River, Wisconsin (won most mosquito bites with bullseye rings). Mold exposure from childhood home in Chicago/Illinois with flooding basement, wood-paneled walls. Still triggers when visiting. Read Richie Shoemaker's Surviving Mold while waiting for functional medicine interview, self-prescribed cholestyramine for 3 days, headaches gone. Pursued Shoemaker certification after IFM certification.
Hit walls with patients, added tools. Shoemaker didn't address everything. Joined Dr. Neil Nathan's fellowship after reading Toxic, learned from Dr. Kristen Reese (Dr. Christa). Added Lyme treatment via ELADS and Dr. Horowitz training, despite initial reluctance, due to Wisconsin's Lyme prevalence and retired local doctors.
Genes load the gun, environment pulls the trigger. Breast cancer not genetic (3% are). Mom active, marathon runner, no meds pre-cancer. On Premarin (horse urine hormones). Double mastectomy, implants triggered reactions: 13 surgeries to tolerate. Body reacted immediately (e.g., flew home from Iceland cruise due to red mass). Cholesterol rose to over 300 (acute phase reactant). Statin caused reactions. On Arimidex (generic switch worsened). Legs gave out, diagnosed lupus (ANA >1:320). Breast implant illness confirmed later. Family autoimmunity (grandmother Hashimoto's, mom Hashimoto's). Triggers: implants, hormones, mold, possible Lyme/co-infections. Best post-implant removal and 10 weeks gluten-free, then relapsed with sandwiches. Home toxicity overwhelmed.
100% of chronic illness from modern toxins: chemicals deemed safe, endocrine disruptors, 5G. Without them, no chronic illness even with genes (e.g., blue zones). Toxicity (environmental, exogenous, endogenous) tops contributors to complex conditions.
Combines Shoemaker, Nathan, Christa approaches. Shoemaker started discussion, cholestyramine effective but limited (50-60% recovery). First consult: Richie labs (VIP, MSH, VEGF, TGF-beta, ADH) for symptoms. Skips expensive HLA mold gene unless legal/insurance. Pre-visit mold/Lyme questionnaires. In-person: VCS test. Urine mycotoxin: Vibrant total with plastics for TPE/EBOO candidates (shows pre/post decrease). RealTime for others (best industry, Medicare-covered). MycoTOX (Dr. Campbell) for acute exposure (e.g., post-Disney Airbnb). Mosaic for recent (mycophenolic acid clears in 2 weeks). No way to date exposure timing.
Start with ochratoxin (in 96% water-damaged buildings, all mold patients). Prefer cholestyramine (stronger bind than Welchol, 25% less effective). Transparent discussion: gritty, additives (pharmacy vs. compounding). Compliance key (e.g., spectrum patients). Welchol tablets huge (up to 6/day), better than zero (e.g., college student pockets for class). Single agents for other mycotoxins per Nathan/Christa (known dose/response, sensitive patients). Gets difficult cases from Nathan/Christa.
Prefers single ingredients for binders because people may tolerate charcoal but react to clay. Avoids Quicks with four ingredients due to unknown dose ratios. Likes control and dosing precisely. Uses Takimi and Integrative Therapeutics charcoal made in Green Bay, dosing up to 1000 mg to assess Herxheimer reactions (herx). Starts low (250 mg) to gauge tolerance before adding binders like Carella, matching doses based on charcoal tolerance (e.g., if can't tolerate four charcoal, start with one Carella).
Real Time Labs groups mycotoxins into five groupings; Vibrant tests specific mycotoxins, showing more types.
Uses ERMI (HERTSMI-2) for wider range of toxic mycotoxins, especially low-dose ones, for owned homes. For prospective homes or cost-saving (tested 45 office spaces), uses cheaper HERTSMI-2 ($155 vs $290 ERMI). Collaborates with Indoor Environmental Professionals (IEPs/IEI guys) for remediation.
Actinobacteria and endotoxins prominent in Shoemaker protocol but not routinely tested; hasn't seen consistent clinical benefit despite logical paper/data. Patients post-Shoemaker Actinobacteria protocols (scrub downs, house cleans) show no reversal of damage like neuroinflammation, fatigue, mast cell activation. Prioritizes other issues first; Actinobacteria path unrealistic given journey's difficulty. Endotoxins from external environment emphasized in Shoemaker, but internal microbiome LPS/endotoxins also potential SIRS triggers.
Skeptical of antifungals in Shoemaker community (called "antichrist"); contrasts: Shoemaker/binders, Neil Nathan/Christa binders+antifungals, Dr. Campbell antifungals only. Aligns with Nathan/Christa based on experience (first 3 years strict Shoemaker, incomplete results).
Used MARONS (sinus nasal swab) initially per Shoemaker, finding colonization. Switched to empirical BEGGi spray ($35 + shipping, compounding pharmacy: Bactroban, EDTA biofilm busters, itraconazole antifungal, low-dose gentamicin for resistant bacteria). Uses across mold patients (3-6 months out of mold); improves breathing/sleep unnoticed before. Cheaper than $200 MARONS; personal success: resolved asthma/outdoor allergies (off 4 Rx) in 3 months.
For gut: antifungals if persistent leaky gut/food sensitivities post-binders. Relies on intuition over costly tests (GI-MAP, OAT for arabinitol/tartaric/citramalic acid). High gliotoxin on urine test suggests colonization/systemic fungal load.
Prefers pharmaceuticals over herbals (not strong enough for heavy colonization). Uses itraconazole (liver-protect, avoid if in mold/high-carb diet as fungistatic) or nystatin (fungicidal, safe long-term, no liver/resistance issues; notes chronic "Candida" patients actually moldy). Amphotericin (oral compounded, gut-only, kidney-safe unlike IV "Ampho-terrible"; higher cost). Starts nystatin if exposed/diet poor, itraconazole later post-remediation.
EBOO supports antimicrobial/antifungal via ozone/oxygen in 2L blood but insufficient alone due to biofilms; doesn't reach sinuses/gut crevices. Still needs binders, nasal spray, antifungals.
90% chronic Lyme patients have mold/mycotoxin component (Wisconsin exposure, genetics). Starts mold first to restore immunity; Lyme/co-infections (Borrelia, Bartonella, Babesia) become manageable (1-2 weeks acute). 90% need only mold treatment. Treats chronic Lyme first if acute (tick bite, bullseye), dominant symptoms, or inescapable moldy environment for boost.
Post-mold: shorter, less aggressive Lyme/co-infection treatment.
Avoids early recommendation due to medical PTSD; starts after validation. For hypersensitive (e.g., fresh fish/avenal diet), mandates immediately with labs as cell danger response blocks healing. 50% new patients start vagal reprogramming (Gupta, Primal Trust, vagal stimulator). Mandatory for reactors before aggressive therapies to expand toolbox, reduce environmental/treatment sensitivity.
EBOO: hypercharges mitochondria, microbial support. TPE (Therapeutic Plasma Exchange): removes immune-irritating toxins/proteins, detoxification support.
Use later as "frosting" post-clean environment/binders (e.g., $7000 TPE vs home remediation). Early for dire cases (e.g., advanced autoimmune outliving 2-year prognosis). Reserves expensive EBOO/TPE; uses cheap ozone (nasal $100, rectal, joint injections for lymph/mobility).
Ideal for autoimmunity (clears cytokines/proteins for self-regulation). Reduces inflammation dramatically (cup analogy). Combines with LDN, LDI for marathon approach given genetics/toxins.
Hashimoto's often involves Borrelia, EBV, heavy metals, mold; explores predisposition factors.
Dr. Lyday sees resolution of Hashimoto's antibodies all the time after addressing mold. She's listed as an expert in the Hashimoto's world. Every Hashimoto's patient she's seen has mold. Endocrinologists tell patients with Hashimoto's to return when they've eaten their thyroid completely, but without addressing mold, Hashimoto's persists. Addressing mold gets to the root cause.
Patient mix is 60% autoimmune chronic illness and 40% biohackers/anti-aging. Anti-aging patients are healthier, want to live to 180 like Dave Asprey, and experience less pushback from the body, which resists leaving its defective state. Less worry about sensitization in healthy patients.
EBOO processes 2L of blood (1/3 to 1/2 of blood supply), exposing it to ozone and oxygen. Ozone is unstable, turns into oxygen upon contact, excels at treating viruses and bacteria (bacteria dislike hyper-oxygenation). Also removes some things via filtration. Superior to 10-pass ozone or MAH due to higher blood volume treated. Cost-effective compared to 10-pass. Best combined with TPE: remove garbage first, then hyper-oxygenate remainder.
Ozonation provides both oxygen (mitochondrial support) and ozone (superior for killing viruses/bacteria). Some machines add UV light.
Compared to MAH (60ml blood) or 10-pass (600ml, expensive), EBOO treats 2L+ at lower cost (~$1,500 vs. higher for 10-pass), better ROI.
Requires good vascular access: two points (one out, one return; can be same arm, different vessels). Evaluate vascularity at consult. For poor access (e.g., post-chemo, hard labs), start Venus protocol (herbs for vein access). Some need ports for TPE/EBOO.
Session: 1.5-2 hours total (50 minutes ozone/UV for full treatment; 25-30+ minutes considered full). Sensitive patients may do less to avoid Herxheimer reactions.
Post-session: Binders like charcoal to minimize Herx; push fluids. Most feel incredible next day; some fatigue immediately after. Rare issues.
Protocol: Start with 3 weekly sessions to treat all blood, then assess. Ongoing: monthly or 3x/year depending on exposure/toxicity.
2L is sweet spot for diffusion; treat active blood load, bind debris. Body prefers bite-sized pieces, especially sicker patients. Stacking (e.g., out-of-town week: TPE + EBOO + stem cells) may intensify symptoms/fatigue short-term but better long-term. Tissue release more relevant to TPE than EBOO.
Uses dialysis filter: clears small/midsize molecules (possible mycotoxins, pesticides, spike protein, immune complexes, cytokines, cholesterol, fibrin, metabolic wastes). Foam in collection varies (e.g., overflows sometimes); analyzes particulates ongoing. Leans to TPE for confirmed toxin removal.
Reduces fibrin, improves blood viscosity/coagulation (relevant post-COVID microclotting). Videos show clots pulled; husband's first session clogged machine. Ozone/oxygen contribute even if not direct pull. Acts as reset but not standalone for spike protein, inflammatory modulators, cytokines.
Best for viruses (ozone + UV deactivates) and bacteria (bactericidal). Ideal for active viral illness or reactivations (e.g., EBV). Prep biofilms with nattokinase etc. for max effect.
- Fungi: Indirect/supportive, not curative for colonization.
- Parasites: Symptom relief for bloodborne; not intracellular/GI.
Not strong for Bartonella/Babesia (intracellular).
Plasma is fluid with dissolved proteins where cytokines, inflammatory proteins, toxins hide. Removing plasma allows diffusion from tissues if not overloaded.
Apheresis removes blood components extracorporeally:
- Plasmapheresis: Plasma.
- Leukapheresis: WBCs.
- Erythrocytapheresis: RBCs.
- Plateletpheresis: Platelets.
- Lipoproteinpheresis: LDL cholesterol.
Inuspheresis (UK/Europe, e.g., INUS): Multi-step filtration removes immune complexes, fibrin, toxins, pollutants. Cleans/replaces own plasma (like oil change without new oil). Walk-in clinics exist. US working toward experimental INUSpheresis mid-next year.
TPE vs. conventional plasmapheresis (PANS/PANDAS, small volumes, no replacement): TPE exchanges full/partial plasma volume (1.0 = total, 1.5 = 1.5x). Uses albumin (not fresh frozen plasma). Starts 0.6-0.7 volume first time for tolerance; body resists rapid detox.
No filter; natural filtration via bulk plasma removal. Blood removed, separated, non-plasma returned, plasma discarded/replaced.
My first TPE used my foot for access, which was not ideal for vessel patency on return. It took 4.5 hours. With good vessels like my husband's big tubes, a full body filtration takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
Pre-Procedure Preparations
I prepare ahead for success: vascular access, tolerance, and feeling good afterward.
Frequency Protocols
Frequency depends on needs. For patients on borrowed time with high cytokines and inflammatory proteins, twice weekly for 3 weeks, then reassess with total toxin panel including plastics or tracked markers like spike protein, fibrin, or Shoemaker inflammatory markers (planned but costly without coverage).
For anti-aging superhumans aiming for 180 years, monthly; recommend 5-6 sessions (cost-driven).
In dementia, 6-12 sessions reduce amyloid and mental dysfunction; cheaper than nursing home/memory care at $18,000/month, even twice weekly for months.
Depends on patient, budget, goals, speed, direction.
TPE removes good things too, so replace essentials. Calcium is biggest issue due to citrate anticoagulant binding calcium and potassium.
Give specialized mix similar to Myers' (intro IV with everything) plus pre-procedure calcium. For sensitives reacting to citrate, vein protocol includes natural antihistamine Dehist by Orthomolecular to reduce histamine, H1 blocker morning of, and Tums for calcium. Post-procedure, calcium and more in 1L Myers-esque bag.
Some places do IVIG or immunoglobulins after; not yet (machine since May), expensive; prefer stem cells post-TPE for better results.
Vascular Access
TPE needs two access points like EBOO. Dual access port handles both. Single lumen port needs second access. 100% of patients so far used peripheral access. One starting Monday may need port (has dual lumen).
Full plasma exchange causes volume loss, replaced with albumin (human blood product) commonly.
Hematocrit determines plasma-to-RBC ratio; higher hematocrit means thicker blood, less plasma. Need current CBC and ideal body weight to calculate therapeutic exchange (2.5-4.5L albumin).
Albumin safety concerns: viral inactivation and protein fractionation make spike protein/virus transmission unlikely; never isolated spike from albumin. No non-vaccinated donor guarantee, but no evidence seen.
Citrate reactions (muscle cramps, tingling) from calcium drop; prevented with pre-calcium, Tums, post-Myers-esque (covers calcium, potassium, potential losses).
Plasma color indicates toxicity; should be straw-colored, see-through. Milky, thick, opaque means lipids, clotting factors, immune complexes, cytokines, toxins.
Worst case: patient's lipid-filled plasma clogged machine (sickest patient, borrowed time).
Dr. Lyday's experience: Pre-TPE total toxin panel (6/24) had 2 in red (1 mycotoxin, 1 forever chemical), 14 in yellow (mycotoxins, environmental chemicals, metals, plastics). Post-one TPE (8/10), none in red, 12 in yellow down 40-60%.
TPE targets untreatable toxins like forever chemicals. Removes plasma volume, allows diffusion from stores (sequestered toxins); subsequent TPEs more effective. Twice weekly for advanced cases maximizes this.
TPE more filtration/detox than antimicrobial, but removes plasma infections, endotoxins, immune complexes. Minimal effect; EBOO stronger for antimicrobials.
Combo: TPE then EBOO same day (two accesses) for plasma clean then blood clean.
Long COVID: Spike protein persistence key; removes it, flares infections (EBV, Bartonella, Mycoplasma), mold, mycotoxins. Dr. Lyday starting twice-weekly TPE intensive with Radiance Labs pre/post for cytokines/longhauler panel (long COVID, chronic Lyme, post-vax, mold).
Reduces spike load (50%+?), enhances adjuncts (digestive enzymes, nicotine, proteolysis) at lower doses; cheaper, gentler. Life-changing for long haulers.
EBOO supports activated infections (Bartonella, Mycoplasma, EBV, possible persistent SARS-CoV-2); TPE for spike detox.
Both EBOO/TPE need anticoagulants. EBOO: low-dose heparin in circuit fluids. TPE: citrate (ACD-A); low heparin bleed risk too high.
Citrate reactions possible (mold doc concern: fungal fermentation); no mycotoxin association shown. Manage as histamine reaction: pre-Dehist, H1 blocker. Limbic/nocebo component if aware of fungal origin.
Citrate advantages: protein-bound, mostly discarded with plasma; minimal bleed risk vs. heparin (safer for travel).
No hormone/nutrient drops reported (patients often on bioidentical hormones). Clotting factors/antibodies expected losses; may evolve to adjust hormones or IVIG.
TPE anti-aging tool; reverses biological age, reduces dementia risk. Dr. Lyday plans 2x/year or quarterly post-spike/inflammatory treatment. Aphaeresis future alternative.
Ideal combo: TPE (remove garbage) + EBOO (recharge mitochondria/blood cells) + stem cells/exosomes (pluripotent regeneration, reset to toddler state; prefer donor over autologous if sick).
For series, stem cells at end (mature 90 days, expensive). Single visit: TPE + EBOO + stem cells.
If doing EBOO once a month for a series of months, stem cells after each one makes sense. If doing a couple a week, wait for the series to be over and give an infusion after the last one.
TPE could turn around dementia. Brain fog is one of the first things people report gone after a TPE session. Brain fog is multicausal; TPE is incredible for it. For dementia, by diagnosis time it's often advanced, requiring minimum 6 TPE, more like 12. Ideal: two a week for series of weeks.
For other neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's, MS, ALS: TPE targets bad proteins, empties garbage, but must stop mechanism producing it. In Parkinson's, stem cells regenerate broken parts; series works well. MS and ALS areas of interest; several patients doing TPE now. In addition to TPE and EBOO, add interventions to stop bad protein production and nervous system self-destruction. Experimental clinics use low-dose chemotherapy to kill hyper-reactivation. TPE lessens and slows neurodegeneration; with add-ons, life-changing.
Six monthly TPE sessions led to 61% improvement in cognitive function.
That's correct; nobody would turn that down. Biggest concern: losing mind, ending in nursing home unable to care for self. 61% improvement incredible.
CFS and fibromyalgia are labels for symptom presentations driven by infections and toxicants. Fibromyalgia diagnosed in 20s is garbage diagnosis from non-investigative practitioner. All linked to infections/toxins: everyone has mold, Lyme/co-infections, high toxin levels. All respond beautifully to EBOO and TPE. Not much unique; different presentation than migratory joint pain/brain fog, but patients have those too. Like non-diabetic neuropathy; all respond well to TPE and EBOO.
EBOO ~$1,500/session. TPE ~$7,000, up to $10-14,000 depending on location. Device ~$250,000 for practice; costs will come down over time.
Dr. Lyday lived in moldy environment, vaccinated for COVID (two doses + booster) required until leaving hospital job. Went from Ironman-length workouts to barely walking hallway. Likely mold activating Lyme/Bart/Bartonella + spike protein. Gained 65 lbs in <2 months (leptin/insulin resistance).
Most drastic improvements: brain fog gone—no more post-it notes everywhere after first EBOO, especially first TPE. Quick-witted again. Worst MCAS patient: during COVID, vasovagal in stores from scents (Bath & Body Works, Downy, pesticides); passed out, 911 called. Now chemically tolerant; perfume in office doesn't cause fall/headache (headaches from toxins since age 4, e.g., dad's cigarette). Still treats with nattokinase, berberine, etc., but less necessary. Missed supplement day used to cause tizzy; now cell danger response down 60% after one procedure. TPE + stem cells life-changing: morning energy/refreshed, unseen since med school 20s. Biggest game changer.
Bought $240,000 TPE machine to avoid $12,000/procedure costs (planned 6 each for her/husband). Offers accessibly. Kit ~$490-500+ (plastic). Albumin ~$1,000/procedure (price spiked post-IV fluid crash; made in Asheville). Nurse + advanced EMT for 3+ hour procedures; pre/post testing adds costs.
Virtual consults available worldwide (patients in 12 countries, every state; saw Thai patient yesterday). 10% come in-person first (Wisconsin or meet). Website: thelidaycenter.com (TLC = The Lyday Center for Tender Loving Care; staff loved). Virtual works post-COVID.
Vision: mold-free healing centers (found property for first; opening ~1 year). Problem: healing modalities fail if returning to sick home. Centers on land plots (first ~20 acres): phosphatidylcholine, ozone, EBOO, TPE, hyperbarics, sauna, cold plunge, trainers, clean food. Little houses for short/long-term rentals. Work with indoor environmental pro/architect: HVAC pulls air out, clean post-occupancy; moderated water/VOCs exposure. Start with large healing center + studios/apartments; expand to bigger places on land; farm out to every state.
- Morning affirmations/manifesting (exhausting journey; feels like backslide when improving).
- Move body (sits long for virtual patients); block schedule, trainer 1x/week. Clean eating/supplements. Game changer: TPE/EBOO. Stem cells every 1-6 weeks (anti-aging, reverses clock with TPE/EBOO). Would add to every healer's plan.
thelidaycenter.com. Podcast: betterhealthguy.com/donate, /newsletters, Better Health Guy on Facebook/Instagram/X/TikTok. Episodes on Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Amazon Music/YouTube/Odysee. betterhealthguy.com.
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