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Dr. Don Thomas, MD

I am Dr. Donald Thomas, MD, a rheumatologist treating hundreds of lupus patients for over 30 years. Read my first blog post here to understand why I started this website and blog about “The Lupus Encyclopedia” and “The Lupus Secrets”.

Dr. Don Thomas also enjoys educating and empowering doctors, medical students, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and patients.

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Melatonin being produced by the pineal gland in lupus

Melatonin For Lupus May be Good Per the Best Medical Evidence [NEW!]

Melatonin For Lupus: What does the Research Show?         (Updated August 2021) Why do people
Discoid lupus on the chest of a white woman Saphelo for lupus

Saphnelo for Lupus: One of Two Approved Biologics [February 2025 Update]

Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) effectively treats individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus. It reduces the overactivity of an immune system molecule
Lupus and gastro issues

Lupus and Gastro Issues [March 2025 Update]

Lupus and its treatments can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the intestines. Mouth sores
Drawing of an electron microscopic view of the hepatitis C virus

Lupus and Hepatitis C: Lupus Patients Should be Tested for Hepatitis C

The interactions of hepatitis C and systemic lupus is strange, and hepatitis C can mimic lupus … read
Image of woman taking a pill as a lupus fog treatment

Lupus Fog Treatment? Vitamin Improves Memory in Research

Finding an effective lupus fog treatment remains elusive. Yet, a 2023 study called the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin
Man with lupus with hands on his chest during a heart attack

Bottom Line on Diabetes vs Lupus and Stroke & Heart Attacks

Lupus and Stroke and Heart Attacks: A bigger problem than we thought! We have known for a long
VA disability for lupus

VA Disability for Lupus: Navigating Your Claim [Feb 2025 Update]

Startling statistic: A large study showed that Afghanistan and Iraqi veterans suffering from PTSD were twice as likely
Lupus, the Heart and Blood Vessels

Lupus, the Heart and Blood Vessels [March 2025 Update]

Lupus can significantly impact the heart and blood vessels, known as the cardiovascular system. This article goes into
Medication blister packet

Heparin versus Warfarin for Lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can lead to blood clots through various mechanisms. In addition, lupus patients are at
Proton pump inhibitor induced subacute cutaneous lupus on upper back of woman with systemic lupus erythematosus

Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Due to Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitor-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Clinical characteristics and outcomes In this post we’ll cover subacute cutaneous
Is lupus hereditary? Image of DNS double helix

Is Lupus Hereditary?

Is Lupus Hereditary? “Yes” Around 200 genes have been identified that increase the risk of getting lupus. This
Lupus and purple spot

Lupus and Purple Spots on Skin

Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia): Platelets are a type of blood cell that helps blood clot. This protects us
Use of DHEA in lupus patients

DHEA and Lupus: Research shows it to be useful and good in some

Other Facts about DHEA and lupus – DHEA and lupus: DHEA stands for DeHydroEpiAndrosterone – It is produced
wrist brace for joint protection for the wrist with lupus arthritis

Joint Protection Advice for Lupus Arthritis

Joint Protection Advice for Lupus Arthritis Joint protection is essential in dealing with pain. When you rest a
Lennon Wall graffiti in Prague Czech Republic that says Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Lupus and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”

What do the following have in common? Lupus A drawing by a 3-year-old Julian Lennon Flowers and gardening
A lupus patient with Jaccoud

Lupus Tendonitis: A Common Cause of Pain in Lupus Patients

https://www.lupusencyclopedia.com/book-photos/#tendon…
Woman with lupus helping lupus research for the Lupus Foundation of America

Share Lupus Experiences Now: Help current research on lupus

IF YOU HAVE LUPUS OR ARE A CAREGIVER: Help current research on lupus by sharing your experiences with
Type 1 interferon cytokines are inhibited by the anifrolumab FDA approval drug

Anifrolumab FDA Approval to Treat Systemic Lupus [Saphnelo February 2025 Update]

Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) is the 2nd FDA-approved biologic to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The first biologic was belimumab
Anatomical drawing of a kidney with artery, vein, and ureter

Benlysta for lupus nephritis: Studies show it is effective

Hot off the press SEP 2020! The future is very bright for lupus treatments!     The future
Stomach pain in lupus

Lupus Stomach Medications: Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and problems are common in lupus patients and can significantly impact their quality of life.
Lupus question should I get a 5th COVID vaccine and Evusheld

Do I need a 5th COVID Vaccine AND Evusheld if I have lupus? [December 2023 UPDATE]

December 2023 Update: Yearly Fall COVID shots and a replacement for Evusheld The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has
Lupus and the Nervous System

Lupus and the Nervous System

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) commonly affects the body’s nerves. Our nerves cause us to be able to feel
Lupus eye

Lupus Eyes

Have you ever wondered how lupus might secretly impact your eyesight? Most people know lupus can attack the
A mask, needle, and syringe as symbols to protect from COVID-19

What is Evusheld and Who Should Get Evusheld: Prevent COVID-19 [OCT 2022 Update]

What is Evusheld? It is a treatment to prevent COVID-19 infections. It is not a vaccine. It is
Urticaria hives allergic reaction in systemic lupus erythematosus SLE

Allergies and Itching after COVID vaccine? Announcing Research Here

Results from 64,900 vaccines: How often are allergies and itching after COVID vaccine? We’ll take a look at
Map of the USA showing shortage of rheumatologists for lupus patients

Colossal Shortage of Rheumatologists is Here: Panic?

World-wide shortage of rheumatologists= getting worse. This is why it is getting harder to get an appointment with
Lupus and hives on arm

Lupus and Hives

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause hives (also called urticaria). Hives are itchy, swollen bumps that appear on
sick girl for blog about children with kidney inflammation blog post

Benlysta for pediatric lupus nephritis: FDA-approved

  Benlysta for children with lupus kidney inflammation (lupus nephritis): FDA-approved on July 26, 2022 This is a
Malar butterfly rash symptom of lupus

Types of Rash in Lupus: A Comprehensive Guide [March 2025 Update]

Lupus patients have many more types of rash than the commonly discussed butterfly rash and discoid lupus. After
systemic lupus can go into remission on medication

Can Lupus Go Into Remission? – Now thrilled to say “Yes!”

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) can go into a lupus remission on medications or treatment Lupus patient: “My doctor
Normal SD-OCT in a lupus patient

Rheumatologists: What if hydroxychloroquine eye tests show retinopathy [FEB 2023 Update]

Do not automatically stop hydroxychloroquine if your eye doctor tells you your patient has HCQ-retinopathy! Read more about
dry skin close up on the face of a woman

Lupus and Dry Skin

Lupus often manifests its effects on the skin. One potential problem is dry, itchy skin. Fortunately, a lot
Connective Tissue Disease written on a white board by a doctor

Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease: It Is Real! (Feb 2025 Update)

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is one of the most common diagnoses made by rheumatologists. Many systemic lupus
Lupus patient getting intravenous immunoglobulin

Intravenous Immunoglobulin: IVIG for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Immune globulins (also called immunoglobulins) are antibodies. A large number of antibodies given in IVIG for systemic lupus
Malaria organism infecting a red blood cell

How does Hydroxychloroquine work for Lupus (SLE)? [February 2025 Update]

Did you know that using hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to help lupus patients was discovered by accident? Since that accidental
Botox or filler injections for lupus picture of a woman getting a lip injection

Is it Safe to Receive Botox or Filler Injections For Lupus Patients?

A lupus patient at Kelli Roseta’s “More Than Lupus” asks the question ” … is it safe to
Probiotic supplements and lupus

Lupus and Taking Probiotics/Prebiotics: The truth [Updated JUL ’23]

Lupus and taking probiotics: Should you take probiotics if you have lupus, and what are the best probiotics
Pain from Fibromyalgia

Lupus and Fibromyalgia

Lupus and Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Connection Lupus and fibromyalgia are two distinct conditions, but they often coexist, causing
bacteria in urine bacteriuria can cause lupus flares

Bacteria in Urine Increases Lupus Flares

If we prevent bacteria in urine (bacteriuria), could we decrease lupus flares? Bacteria in urine was found in
Woman sitting on chair

Spotlight on a Good Poem by Devoted Lupus Warrior

Lupus by Lupus Warrior and Lupus Fighter Shanelle Gabrielle “​I still have a purpose … A reason to
Survey about being diagnosed with lupus and The Lupus Foundation of America

Participate in this lupus survey if you live in the USA [Survey is closed]

The Lupus Foundation of America wants to learn more about the difficulties in being diagnosed with lupus Click
Arm wrestling to see which is better for lupus nephritis: Lupkynis or Benlysta

Lupkynis vs Benlysta for Lupus Nephritis: Dr. Thomas Has His Verdict!

Which is better for lupus nephritis? ​Here is my answer! Which is better for lupus nephritis? Benlysta or
Dry cracked skin

Top Dermatologist Tips For Itchy, Dry Skin in Lupus and Sjögren’s [October 2024 Update]

Unfortunately, dry, itchy skin is a common problem in lupus patients. Most patients try everything they think may
Word Symptoms in Scrabble Tiles

Early Signs of Lupus: What to Look For

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. Early diagnosis is key
X-ray of respiratory system

Lupus and the Respiratory System [March 2025 Update]

The respiratory system, or the pulmonary system, is commonly affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This system plays
Immunosuppressants and COVID vaccine ACR guidelines and recommendations

Immunosuppressants and COVID Vaccine: Fundamentals in the new guidelines

Immunosuppressants and COVID vaccine: which you should stop and not stop American College of Rheumatology Clinical Guidance Summary UPDATED
methotrexate for lupus bottle of methotrexate on label

Methotrexate for lupus: help it work better and prevent side effects [January 2025]

Methotrexate is one of the safest and most effective drugs for lupus. Since the 1980s, it has been
Dr. Donald Thomas MD holding the new edition Lupus Encyclopedia A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Health Care Providers

The Lupus Encyclopedia, edition 2: Now Available!

The Lupus Encyclopedia, edition 2: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Health Care Providers is now available at
Image that says CAR-T Cells made simple

CAR-T Cell Therapy For Lupus Made Simple (January 2025 UPDATE)

The field of CAR-T therapies in treating autoimmune diseases like lupus is rapidly expanding. As of April 2024,
Lupus medication list with drug allergy list including sulfa and Bactrim antibiotics

Good Advice on Lupus and Sulfa Antibiotics Like Bactrim [April 2025 Update]

Lupus and Bactrim: List sulfa antibiotics (like Bactrim) in your drug intolerance list if you have lupus Lupus