How does Hydroxychloroquine work for Lupus (SLE)? [JUN 2024 Update]
December 2022 update: Hydroxychloroquine is a disease-modifying agent for lupus (along with Benlysta). Antimalarial drugs can treat autoimmune
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 Purple Spots on Skin
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple systems in the body, including the skin. Purple spots
Now Research Shows: Lupus tendinitis, common cause of lupus pain
Jaccoud’s arthropathy due to lupus tendinitis (lupus tendonitis) and lupus tenosynovitis What is lupus tendinitis (also spelled lupus
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
Top Dermatologist Tips For Itchy, Dry Skin in Lupus and Sjögren’s [October 2024 Update]
Quick Advice Guaranteed to Help Most with Dry Itchy Skin: Stop using Dove and other soaps that say
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
Super spreader COVID-19: Infections surge big due to this [Updated]
Super spreader COVID-19: New study shows the answers in the Annals of Internal Medicine Wear a mask to
Symptoms of Lupus in Men
While lupus is more common in women, 10% of lupus patients are men. Understanding the symptoms of lupus
CNS Lupus: When Lupus Affects the Brain and Spinal Cord
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can attack the brain, spinal cord, and many other organs. When this
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
The Lupus Secrets [Practical Tips for Living with Lupus]
Do you have lupus, then you absolutely want to learn about follow The Lupus Secrets so that you
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
Lupus Tendonitis: A Common Cause of Pain in Lupus Patients
https://www.lupusencyclopedia.com/book-photos/#tendon…
Lupus and the Nervous System
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) commonly affects the body’s nerves. Our nerves cause us to be able to feel
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 Â
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
Early Signs of Lupus in Females
Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, predominantly impacts women. Around 90% of lupus patients are women, while 10% are
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
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
3 Proven Ways to Stop Lupus Chronic Kidney Disease Progression [January 2025]
Reducing the worsening of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in lupus and other autoimmune diseases is possible. I have
Benlysta approved for lupus nephritis: is it for mild cases?
Lupus Question of The Day: Is Benlysta for mild lupus nephritis? Ask Dr. T question and shortened answer
Understanding the Lupus Coombs Test: Know your labs! (October 2024 Update)
The Direct Coombs test is also known as the direct Coombs antibody test and the direct antiglobulin test
Lupus and Gastro Issues
Lupus and its treatments can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the intestines. Understanding the
Lupus Can Cause Tooth Decay: How to Prevent Dry Mouth and Cavities (October 2024 Update)
Can lupus cause tooth decay? Learn here to lower your risk of losing teeth from dry mouth! ​
Lupus in Women: From Puberty to Menopause
Lupus in women occurs much more often than in men. There are many reasons this occurs. Also, lupus
Provocative Advice: Lupus Patients need COVID Vaccines [2021]
Evaluation and recommendations by noted lupus experts: Lupus patients need COVID vaccines Hot off the press from Lupus
Proteinuria in Lupus Nephritis: Video tips and the bottom line [FEB 2023 UPDATE]
UPDATE FEB 2023: Watch YouTube video about diagnosing lupus nephritis (LN) early, how it is diagnosed and what
Hydroxychloroquine Decreases the Risk of Death
Research article shows that taking hydroxychloroquine decreases the risk of death by 83%: Impact of Antimalarial Adherence on
The aiSLE DX Flare Risk Index Test: A new lupus lab test
The aiSLE DX Flare Risk Index test The Lupus Foundation of America, in its continuous quest to advocate
Weight Loss & Exercise in Lupus: the science & patient view
The video provided below offers valuable insights into practical information regarding weight management and exercise for individuals with
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
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
Antibody Levels After COVID Vaccine
Some Immunosuppressant Drugs Cause Lower Antibody Levels after COVID Vaccine than do Other Drugs Home » History of
CAR-T Cell Therapy For Lupus Made Simple (October 2024 UPDATE)
The field of CAR-T therapies in treating autoimmune diseases like lupus is rapidly expanding. As of April 2024,
COVID Vaccine and Lupus: Join in a Research Study Now
How the COVID Vaccine and Lupus Interact is Important to Figure Out: Consider Joining this NIH Research Study
Itchy Skin Can Be a Sign of Active Lupus
Updated JUN 2023 Itchy skin can occur with active lupus rashes (cutaneous lupus). However, other causes are much
Anifrolumab FDA approval to treat systemic lupus [Saphnelo]
Anifrolumab FDA Approval to Treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) AstraZeneca announced its anifrolumab FDA approval on 8/2/2021. In
Lupus Headaches: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs and systems. One of
How to Prevent Lupus & Other Autoimmune Diseases [January 2025]
This blog post will give advice on how to prevent lupus and other autoimmune diseases. I will first
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
How to Stop Lupus Hair Loss:
How to stop hair loss! – Yes! You can do things to help! And learn that much of
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
Lupus Joint and Muscle Pain
Close to 90% of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) will have joint and muscle pain. Understanding lupus
10 Reasons Not to Get a Flu Shot: Learn the Truth Now!
10 Reasons Not to Get a Flu Shot: The Flu Shot is a Life-Saver for Lupus Patients, Other
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
Lupus and The Endocrine System
Lupus, a complex autoimmune condition, impacts various systems in the body, including the endocrine system. The endocrine system
Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine to Prevent Lupus and Other Diseases?
An Epstein Barr virus (EBV) vaccine to prevent lupus? EBV infection may be a common trigger, causing the
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!
Positive ANA workup – Is it lupus or not? [October 2024 Update]
Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are present in up to 20% of the healthy population, depending upon the particular lab