Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE).

What it is

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) separates your plasma, the liquid part of blood that carries proteins and antibodies, and replaces it with an albumin solution. It is an established hospital treatment for conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis and a rare blood disorder called TTP, where removing harmful antibodies or proteins helps.

Longevity clinics now offer it to lower inflammatory proteins and other factors that build up with age. The idea comes from mouse research showing that diluting old blood, even without adding young blood, improved tissue repair. Human studies for aging are small and still early.

What happens at a visit

1. A full medical workup, blood tests and physician clearance.
2. IV lines in both arms, or sometimes a temporary central catheter.
3. 2 to 4 hours as a machine separates your plasma and replaces it with albumin.
4. Continuous monitoring of vital signs and blood levels by medical staff.
5. Tingling or lightheadedness can happen and is treated with calcium.
6. Follow-up labs and a plan; longevity protocols often use 3 to 5 sessions.

Who it is for

• People with autoimmune or neurologic conditions their specialist treats with TPE
• People with high inflammatory markers that haven't improved with other approaches
• People following longevity research who want an advanced option
• People ready for a medical procedure with full physician oversight
• People who can commit to a series of sessions and follow-up labs

Evidence and safety

TPE is a well-established treatment for several autoimmune, neurologic and blood disorders. For aging, the support comes mainly from mouse studies, and human trials are small and ongoing. It is a medical procedure that needs full physician oversight and continuous monitoring. Risks include low blood pressure, low calcium from the anticoagulant, allergic reactions to replacement fluid and, rarely, infection at the catheter site.

How Gabriel helps