Therapeutic Plasma Exchange
The "Oil Change" for Your Body

TPE is a medical procedure that removes and replaces the plasma in your blood. This treatment is used to remove harmful substances, such as antibodies or toxins, and is often prescribed for autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, and certain neurological conditions.

A typical TPE session takes about 2 to 3 hours, though the exact time can vary based on factors like your body size, hydration level, and the ease of accessing your veins. Your nurse will ensure the process is as smooth and comfortable as possible.

The number of TPE treatments varies based on your health. For the initial round of treatment, patients may need from 1-6 sessions, with quarterly maintenance sessions recommended. Dr. Muran will recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Most patients experience little to no pain. You may feel discomfort from the needle insertion or slight coldness from the replacement fluids. A nurse will monitor you closely to ensure comfort.

Insurance coverage for TPE is diagnosis-dependent. Standard medical indications (like Guillain-Barre or Myasthenia Gravis) are often covered. However, TPE for longevity, general detox, or optimization is typically an out-of-pocket investment. We can provide a Superbill for you to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.

Yes. Many patients use TPE as a "debulking" strategy. Mold mycotoxins and Lyme-related inflammatory complexes often circulate in the plasma. TPE mechanically removes these burdens, which can be especially helpful for patients who are too sensitive for aggressive oral detox protocols.

For general health span optimization, many protocols suggest a series of 2-4 sessions once a year, or a single maintenance session quarterly. Dr. Muran will design a frequency that matches your biological age and inflammatory markers.

Great question. When you donate plasma, you are giving it away, and your body regenerates it over time. In Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, we remove your plasma but immediately replace it with therapeutic-grade Albumin or fluids during the same session. This ensures you maintain blood volume and receive the benefits of the clean replacement fluid instantly.

TPE is non-selective, meaning it removes both "bad" autoantibodies and "good" immunoglobulins. However, the body is resilient and typically regenerates healthy immunoglobulins within 2-3 days. For patients with compromised immune systems, we may supplement with IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) post-treatment.