Advanced Cellular Support. Precision Wellness.
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) is a cutting-edge treatment that uses a specialized medical device to remove and replace a portion of your plasma—the liquid component of your blood. This process is designed to filter out substances that may be interfering with your body’s natural balance.
“A two-year study found that Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, when combined with IVIG, was associated with an average 2.6-year reduction in biological age after just six sessions.”
What Happens During Therapeutic Plasma Exchange?
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange is a nonsurgical outpatient procedure performed through IV access in a comfortable, closely monitored clinical setting.
Your blood is drawn and circulated through an FDA-cleared apheresis device.
The machine separates your plasma from the rest of your blood.
That plasma is replaced with an albumin solution (a sterile, medical-grade protein).
The treated blood is returned to your body.
The entire session typically lasts between 1.5 to 3 hours. Most patients relax, listen to music, or read during the treatment.
Who Is It For?
At Tringali Vibrant Health, we offer TPE as part of a holistic strategy to support longevity, immune resilience, and optimized wellness—especially for those navigating inflammation, recovery, or age-related changes. People choose Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for a variety of reasons, including:
Interest in proactive aging support
Immune system modulation
Recovery following illness or chronic stress
Athletic performance and recovery
General wellness and detoxification
While TPE is FDA-cleared and used in various hospital settings, it is important to speak with a medical provider to determine if it is appropriate for you.
Ready to Explore TPE?
If you’re curious about whether Therapeutic Plasma Exchange is right for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our clinical team. We’ll review your medical history, discuss your wellness goals, and guide you through the process.
Contact us to schedule your TPE consultation today. 561-283-1166
What is Plasma?
Plasma makes up about 55% of your blood and serves as its liquid foundation. It’s a golden, straw-colored fluid that carries nutrients, hormones, proteins, and other vital substances throughout the body—nourishing your organs, supporting immune function, and helping maintain internal balance.
But over time, plasma can accumulate harmful elements: viral fragments, environmental toxins, inflammatory messengers, immune complexes, and abnormal proteins. These unwanted substances circulate systemically, placing stress on every cell and tissue—and potentially accelerating aging and disease processes.
This is where Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) comes in: by removing and replacing this burdened plasma, we give your body a clean slate, supporting detoxification, reducing inflammation, and restoring optimal cellular function.
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange FAQs
What is Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE)?
TPE is a procedure that removes and replaces a portion of your plasma—the liquid part of your blood. Using a specialized device called an apheresis machine, blood is drawn, plasma is separated and removed, and the remaining blood components are mixed with a sterile protein solution (typically albumin) and returned to your body.
What is Plasma?
Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood, making up about 55% of its total volume. It is a pale yellow fluid that serves as a vital medium for carrying nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout your body. Plasma is composed of:
- Water (about 92%): Keeps the blood fluid and helps dissolve and transport substances.
- Proteins (about 7%): Including Albumin, Globulins, Fibrinogen –
- Other Components (about 1 %): Includes electrolytes, glucose, hormones, gases, and waste products like carbon dioxide.
What is Albumin?
Albumin is a protein in your blood that helps maintain fluid balance and transports important substances. During TPE, it may be used as a replacement fluid to restore balance and support your body’s functions.
Why TPE?
TPE has been incorporated into treatment plans for Neurological Conditions, inflammatory disorders, chronic viral infections, kidney problems, and more. It works by removing harmful proteins and other components from the body that, over time, can accumulate and exacerbate these conditions. It may also support issues such as:
- Increased lipoprotein (a} and other lipid levels
- Chronic inflammation
- Genetic predisposition to neurodegenerative conditions
- Long Covid
- Brain fog
How does TPE work?
During TPE, your blood is drawn from your body through a needle. A machine separates the plasma (the liquid part of your blood) from the blood cells. The plasma is replaced with a substitute solution, such as albumin, and the rest of your blood is returned to your body.
How long does it take?
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.
What are the benefits of TPE?
- Help minimize inflammation to combat signs of aging
- Support mental clarity, memory, and cognitive function
- Support heart health and circulation
- Assist in the removal of toxins and support the body’s natural detoxification process
- Support the immune system
- Support overall health and wellness
How many treatments will I need?
The number of TPE treatments varies based on your health or what the doctor suggests. For the initial round of treatment, patients may need from 1-6 sessions, with quarterly maintenance sessions recommended. Your provider will recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Is TPE painful?
Most patients experience little to no pain during the procedure. You may feel discomfort from the needle insertion or slight coldness from the replacement fluids. A nurse will monitor you closely to ensure comfort.
What are the risks or side effects of TPE?
TPE is a well-established treatment with over 50 years of clinical use and an excellent safety profile, though, like any procedure, it carries potential side effects such as:
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Risk of infection (if using a catheter)
- Allergic reactions to the replacement fluids
Your nurse will take precautions to minimize these risks.
Does insurance cover TPE?
We are a private-pay practice, so all services—including Therapeutic Plasma Exchange—are offered on a self-pay basis. However, we are happy to provide a detailed superbill after your treatment, which you may submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement, depending on your individual plan and coverage.
We recommend checking with your insurance carrier in advance to determine whether they offer out-of-network benefits for this type of service.
What is IVIG, why is it used, and will it be part of my procedure?
IVIG (Intravenous Immune Globulin) is a highly purified antibody therapy used to replenish healthy antibodies after Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE). Since TPE removes both harmful antibodies, IVIG helps restore immune function by providing new, functional antibodies. This is particularly beneficial for autoimmune diseases, where the body attacks its own tissues, as IVIG helps modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation.
What is the difference between ozone therapy and TPE?
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) and Ozone Therapy are both blood-based treatments but serve different purposes:
- TPE removes and replaces plasma to eliminate harmful substances like autoantibodies, toxins, or abnormal proteins, making it a standard treatment for autoimmune, neurological, and blood disorders.
- Ozone Therapy involves mixing a small amount of a patient’s blood with ozone (0 3) and reinfusing it, aiming to enhance oxygen delivery, support immune function, and reduce inflammation.
TPEi s an FDA-approved and clinically established procedure, whereas Ozone Therapy is not widely regulated or approved for most medical conditions. Your doctor can help determine the best treatment for your specific needs.
The Longevity Research on Therapeutic Plasma Exchange
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange is gaining interest as a novel approach to support healthy aging and immune balance.
One of the largest studies in this space—The Circulate Trial—explored how plasma composition may influence biological aging. Conducted over two years, the trial examined more than 3,000 biomarkers and 38 biological clocks in healthy adults, with and without the addition of IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin). Researchers studied how TPE may affect molecular markers tied to inflammation, immune function, and cellular aging.
While additional studies are needed to fully understand the long-term effects, the Circulate Trial represents a meaningful step in investigating the therapeutic potential of plasma-based interventions.
Read the Full Peer-Reviewed Study Here
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange and Alzheimer’s Disease
Recent research has shown that Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) may offer promising benefits for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In a major clinical trial, patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s who received a series of TPE treatments experienced significantly slower cognitive and functional decline compared to those who received a placebo. Researchers believe this may be due to TPE’s ability to reduce inflammation and remove harmful proteins like amyloid-beta by exchanging damaged plasma for fresh albumin. While more research is needed, these results suggest that Therapeutic Plasma Exchange may be a powerful tool in supporting brain health and slowing the progression of neurodegenerative disease.
Functional Medicine at Tringali Vibrant Health
Your Pathway to Vibrant Health:
We dive deep to understand you
Step 1: Comprehensive Health History
A 90 minute intake with a Tringali Vibrant Health Provider (in-person or virtual)
We uncover your hidden blueprint
Step 2: Advanced Functional Lab Testing
Advanced lab work (at our locations, your local lab, or in the privacy of your own home)
We Put the pieces together
Step 2: Your Personalized Health Strategy
A 60 minute consultation with a Tringali Vibrant Health Provider (in-person or virtual)
