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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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Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound for weight loss in lupus, shown with GLP-1 injection pens, lupus butterfly, heart and kidney icons, and measuring tape.

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound for Weight Loss in Lupus: What Patients Should Know

Many people with lupus ask me about the newer weight-loss and diabetes medicines such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro,
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
Effects of lupus on the body

Effects of lupus on the body [Feb 2025 Update]

The effects of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on the body are diverse, impacting individuals in unexpected and varying
Man with yellow eyes due to jaundice from hepatitis

Lupus and Hepatitis B Vaccine: Endorsed in the CDC guidelines

Lupus and Hepatitis B Addendum: The recommendations for hepatitis B vaccines changed in 2022. The CDC recommended that
Dr. Donald Thomas gets the COVID-19 vaccine

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
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: Benlysta or Lupkynis? Which is better for lupus nephritis? Benlysta or Lupkyinis?
Photo of sunspots: Johns Hopkins Lupus Center Reviews

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
World Lupus Day awareness ribbon

World Lupus Day 2025

Every year on May 10, the world comes together to observe World Lupus Day. In 2025, this important
Sleep hygiene recommendations for lupus patients

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
Woman using eye drops for dry eyes and lupus

Dry Eyes and Lupus: Eye Doctor Tips and Tricks [January 2026 Update]

Dry eyes are very common in lupus patients, especially those with Sjogren’s disease. Around 25% of systemic lupus
Heart Attacks, Strokes, and Blood Clots in Lupus

Heart Attacks, Strokes, and Blood Clots in Lupus

People with lupus face a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots,
Image of the central nervous system for CNS lupus

CNS Lupus: When Lupus Affects the Brain & Spine

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can attack the brain, spinal cord, and many other organs. When this
Lupus and infections

Lupus and Infections

Lupus infections remain one of the most serious complications for people living with the condition. Chapter 22 of
Anti-SSA (anti-Ro) in a lupus patient

Anti-SSA Test (anti-Ro): Know Your Labs

Understanding the Anti-SSA (Anti-Ro) Blood Test in Lupus and Sjögren’s Have you recently received a positive anti-SSA blood
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
Probiotic supplements and lupus

Lupus and Taking Probiotics/Prebiotics: The truth [Updated JUN ’26]

Should You Take Probiotics for Lupus? Question of the Day: “Probiotic supplements seem to be a real trend
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
Lupus headaches

Lupus Headaches: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment [March 2025 Update]

Most systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients get headaches. Are these due to lupus? Or are they due to
shingles on the back of a white person

Lupus and Vaccines: Shingles, Shingrix, and Zostavax

Knowing how lupus and vaccines interact is important since infections are one of the top two causes of
Childhood stress and lupus question answered by Dr. Donald Thomas

Childhood Trauma, PTSD, Racism, Stress, and Lupus

Crucially, multiple studies show that stress and trauma increase the risk of developing lupus, as well as causing
Illustration of collecting a urine sample

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 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
Woman with Sjogren

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
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
Photosensitivity and lupus. Young woman in straw hat casting intricate shadows on her face under bright sun.

Lupus and Photosensitivity

Photosensitivity is one of the most common and important triggers of lupus symptoms. For many of us living
Low vitamin D levels can make lupus worse

The Best Lupus Books? Look in the useful list below

Kelli of “More Than Lupus” describes what she considers the best lupus books ​ What are your favorite
Pregnant black woman's stomach with a fetus ultrasound at image for having a successful pregnancy with lupus

How to Have a Successful Pregnancy with Lupus [June 2026 Update)

A successful pregnancy is possible in most women who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with proper preparation and
New lupus test for lupus flares announced by The Lupus Foundation

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
salmon for anti-inflammatory diet with vegetables

Lupus Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Lifestyle changes advice [January 2025]

Anti-Inflammatory Diet Guide for Autoimmune Diseases Eating an anti-inflammatory diet can significantly help manage autoimmune diseases like lupus
Lupus related hair loss

Hair and Skin Problems in Lupus [Feb 2025 Update]

Most individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience skin involvement or hair loss. There are many different types
COVID-19 vaccine for lupus patients

Moderna and Pfizer Vaccines: How Effective is One COVID shot?

CDC Study answers this question Please get your COVID-19 vaccine! We all would like life to go back
COVID-19 vaccine for lupus patients answer by Dr. Don Thomas

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
Lupus and pregnancy

Lupus, The Reproductive System, and Pregnancy

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a complex autoimmune disease that can affect various organs and systems
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
White woman with shoulder pain fibromyalgia autoimmune disease blog post

Is Fibromyalgia an Autoimmune Disease? Research suggests “YES!”

Research Article: Passive transfer of fibromyalgia symptoms from patients to mice Goebel A, Krock E, Gentry C, Israel
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
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
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
Benlysta During Pregnancy - photo of pregnant woman

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
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
Photo of a black woman getting a botox injection

Botox Injections and Lupus

If you have lupus and are considering Botox injections for cosmetic or medical purposes, it’s important to understand
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
Vitamin D supplement preventing disease: How to prevent lupus

How to Prevent Lupus & Other Autoimmune Diseases [April 2026]

This blog post will give advice on how to prevent lupus and other autoimmune diseases. I will first
Two thumbs up

FDA approves Benlysta for lupus nephritis December 2020

Benlysta (belimumab) is the 1st drug ever FDA-approved to treat lupus nephritis ​Historic milestone! ___________________________ NOTE: Johns Hopkins
Model of the kidney

What to Know about a Lupus Nephritis Urine Sample [UPDATED June 2024]

Lupus patients should provide a urine sample regularly to see if there is possible inflammation of the kidneys
Lupus in Children and Adolescents

Lupus in Children and Adolescents

Lupus in children and adolescents, known as childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE), is a complex autoimmune disease that
News Flash COVID-19 vaccine for lupus patients

Covid-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients: Please get your vaccine

Should We be Recommending the COVID-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients?: Yes! What I tell my systemic lupus patients
3D image of kidneys and adrenal glands

Lupus and Adrenal Insufficiency

Many people with lupus need corticosteroids such as prednisone or methylprednisolone to control inflammation and prevent organ damage.
Dry mouth from lupus and Sjogren

Lupus Can Cause Tooth Decay: How to Prevent Dry Mouth and Cavities (October 2025 Update)

Lupus patients have a high rate of poor dental health and tend to lose their teeth at a
Illustration of a clipboard, doctor and thyroid

Lupus and Thyroid Medications

Lupus and thyroid disease go hand in hand. The thyroid gland is at the front of the neck,