Improve Your Life: A Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Flare Test
Revolutionary New Lab Test: Predicts if a lupus patient will have a systemic lupus erythematosus flare! A systemic
History of Lupus
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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Lupus and Sleep: Strategies to Sleep Better!
Lupus and Sleep Problems are Common: Strategies to improve your sleep (October 2024 Update) Tips on better sleep
Lupus and the Urinary System [March 2025 Update]
Kidney inflammation (lupus nephritis) occurs in around 45% of people who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, lupus
World Lupus Day 2025
Every year on May 10, the world comes together to observe World Lupus Day. In 2025, this important
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 and the Nervous System
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) commonly affects the body’s nerves. Our nerves cause us to be able to feel
Lupus and The Digestive System
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is an autoimmune disorder that can affect nearly every organ
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
Dr. Donald Thomas gets his extra COVID vaccines: It was easy!
UPDATED September 2021: I cannot wait to get my extra COVID vaccines … specifically my 3rd booster shot!
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
How to collect a urine sample properly for testing (UPDATED January 2025)
It is essential for lupus patients to regularly collect an accurate clean catch urine sample
Lupus and Vitamin D Advice: Can be lowest in women of color
Lupus and vitamin D in Women of Color. Why and what to do- “Ask Dr. T!” question of
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
How to Have a Successful Pregnancy with Lupus [May 2025 Update)
A successful pregnancy is possible in most women who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with proper preparation and
Lupus Mottled Skin & Symptoms (Feb 2025 Update)
One skin issue associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is “mottled skin,” with livedo reticularis being one of
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
New Pneumonia, Shingles, RSV, and Hepatitis Vaccine Recommendations [2024]
Centers for Disease Control 2024 Vaccine Recommendations In 2024 came out with its new vaccine recommendations. In this
Symptoms of Lupus in Men [March 2025 Update]
While lupus is more common in women, 10% of lupus patients are men. Understanding the symptoms of lupus
COVID Vaccines, Evusheld & Stopping Drugs for Shots [FEB 2023 Update]
Stopping Methotrexate for 1 Week as Effective as 2 Weeks after Flu shots [FEB 2023 Update) This
Research Results in Dealing with Autoimmune Disease Fatigue Now
The causes of fatigue and dealing with autoimmune disease fatigue. Tips on how to improve energy with
Lupus and Purple Rashes
What Are Purple Rashes on the Skin? Purple rashes on the skin can signal a variety of health
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
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
Lupus and Creatine Phosphokinase
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is a complex autoimmune disease that can affect multiple systems
3 Ways to Stop Lupus Kidney Disease Progression [Jan 2025]
It is indeed possible to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with lupus and
Benlysta During Pregnancy: Safe and Effective [UPDATE July 2024]
July 2024 Update on Benlysta in Pregnancy A review in the British Medical Journal discussed the recent studies
Three Potential Book Covers for The Lupus Encyclopedia 2nd Edition
THE VOTE IS IN! See the new book cover below 315 people voted for the new book cover
Botox Injections and Lupus
If you have lupus and are considering Botox injections for cosmetic or medical purposes, it’s important to understand
How the Covid-19 Vaccine Works: amazing!
It is amazing how the COVID-19 vaccine works (the mRNA vaccines, especially) It intrigues me how the COVID-19
Is Lupus Hereditary?
Is Lupus Hereditary? “Yes” Around 200 genes have been identified that increase the risk of getting lupus. This
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
Traveling With Lupus – Advice From a Rheumatologist
Traveling with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presents its unique challenges. Making sure that you stay as healthy and
Proteinuria in Lupus Nephritis: Video tips and the bottom line [March 2025 UPDATE]
When excessive protein leaks from the kidneys and into the urine, it is called proteinuria. Proteinuria in lupus
Increase Energy with Lupus ([February 2025 Update]
Did you know that energy loss is the most common disabling problem in people living with systemic lupus
Lupus and Cancer: Lupus Encyclopedia
As if dealing with lupus alone wasn’t enough, there is an association between Lupus and Cancer. Lupus patients
Lupus and COVID vaccine: Tested in the clinical trials = safe and effective!
Lupus and COVID vaccine: Dr. Thomas recommends not waiting to his patients, read below… Research regarding the COVID
Johns Hopkins Lupus Center Reviews: 2025 Sunspots & Milder Lupus?
Johns Hopkins Lupus Center Reviews: Could sunspots in 2025 lead to milder lupus? 2014 photo by NASA showing
Living With Lupus Blog: The Lupus Encyclopedia – Q & A Video
Dr. Donald Thomas Answers Lupus Patients’ Questions on His Living With Lupus Blog: The Lupus Encyclopedia Watch this
“Do I need a mask after vaccination?” Now here is the truth
Please continue to protect yourself as you did before if you have lupus or another systemic autoimmune disease
Understanding Lupus Life Expectancy [Feb 2025 Update]
Dr. Thomas has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in their 70s, 80s, and 90s! Living with lupus is
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
Understanding the Lupus Coombs Test (March2025 Update)
The Direct Coombs test is a criterion in the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) classification criteria. It is also
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
Fatigue in Lupus and Sjogren’s [March 2025 Update]
Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms affecting individuals living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
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
Managing Bone Health With Bisphosphonate Drugs
Individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased risk of broken bones (fractures) due to osteoporosis. Increasing
How Severe is Your Lupus? Use a Lupus Severity Index [May 2025 Update)
Our goal in treating systemic lupus erythematosus is complete remission while using medications that include hydroxychloroquine (if not
Lupus and Vegetarian Diet: What is the best medical evidence?
Ask Dr. T Question about lupus diet and vegetarians Lupus and Vegetarian Diet? Eating a Vegetarian Diet can
Joint Protection Advice for Lupus Arthritis [July 2025 Update]
Joint protection is crucial in managing pain. When you rest a painful joint or tendon, you help decrease
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