Pregnancy

Lupus and pregnancy

Lupus, The Reproductive System, and Pregnancy

February 19, 2025

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a complex autoimmune disease that can affect various organs and systems in the body, including the reproductive system. For individuals with lupus, pregnancy and reproductive health require careful consideration and specialized care. Understanding …

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 [May 2025 Update)

July 17, 2022

A successful pregnancy is possible in most women who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with proper preparation and monitoring. However, the risks of complications, like miscarriage, preeclampsia (high blood pressure with protein in the urine), early delivery, and lupus flares …

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 hives on arm

Lupus and Hives

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause hives (also called urticaria). Hives are itchy, swollen bumps that appear on

close-up photo of persons eye

Lupus and The Eyes

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs and systems,

itchy skin like happens with lupus rashes

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

X-ray of lupus joint and muscle pain

Lupus Joint and Muscle Pain [February 2025 Update]

Close to 90% of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) will have joint and muscle pain. Fortunately, today’s

A lupus patient with Jaccoud

Lupus Tendonitis: A Common Cause of Pain in Lupus Patients

https://www.lupusencyclopedia.com/book-photos/#tendon…

Illustration of a clipboard, doctor and thyroid

Lupus and Thyroid Medications

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

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

Sea moss along the coast

Sea Moss as a Lupus Prebiotic

Patients ask about Sea Moss as a Lupus Prebiotic: Sea moss was never on my radar until 2022-2023.

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

Male lupus patient with a mask

“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

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

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

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

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

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

Lupus eye

Lupus Eyes

Have you ever wondered how lupus might secretly impact your eyesight? Most people know lupus can attack the

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

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

COVID booster vaccine button

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

Anti-inflammatory diet for lupus and autoimmune diseases

Anti-inflammatory Diet for Autoimmune Disease: New Research (AI Protocol)

The Autoimmune Protocol (AI protocol) is another term for the anti-inflammatory diet. The chart below was shown to

Lupus and the urinary system

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

Lupus patient with COVID coronavirus

Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine: Now see me excited to get it

What was it like getting the COVID-19 vaccine? … and some advice for lupus patients A rheumatology

Root cause of lupus research

New Research: A Root Cause of Lupus? [Reported July 2024]

New research claimed they discovered a root cause of lupus. Researchers at Northwestern Medicine and Brigham and Women’s

Herbal supplements for lupus that worsen lupus

Supplements That Worsen Lupus & 6 That Help [March 2025 Update]

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is overactive. This post discusses a 2024 research study

Anti-inflammatory diet for lupus patients

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

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

blood vessels vascular with red blood cells floating inside an artery

Diabetes Drug Pioglitazone Helpful for Lupus [Suggests NIH study]

Lupus Research Article Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist pioglitazone improves vascular and metabolic dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus This

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

Dr. Don Thomas explains ANA negative lupus

Can You Have Lupus With a Negative ANA Test? “Yes you can!” (October 2024 Update)

Protect yourself from medical mistakes. A study by a large group of international lupus experts (Systemic Lupus International

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

Bisphosphonate drugs and lupus

Bisphosphonate Drugs and Lupus

Many SLE patients have fractures in their spine (vertebral fractures), and around half do not realize it. After

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.

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

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

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

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

World Lupus Day 2025

Every year on May 10, the world comes together to observe World Lupus Day. In 2025, this important

Two arm wrestlers representing Saphnelo vs Benlysta

Saphnelo vs Benlysta? What is the Best Medicine for Lupus? [February 2025]

Saphnelo and Benlysta are two FDA-approved biologics for treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They work in two very

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 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

Vitamin D supplement preventing disease: How to prevent lupus

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

Discoid lupus erythematosus on the cheek of a white woman with systemic lupus

Can Discoid Lupus Turn into Systemic?- “Sure” Now more about the truth

The Latest Research Answers the Question: “Can discoid lupus turn into systemic lupus erythematosus?” Discoid lupus: note the

Lupus and the digestive system

Lupus and The Digestive System

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is an autoimmune disorder that can affect nearly every organ

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

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

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

Antibody levels after COVID vaccine in patients taking immunosuppressant drugs

Antibody Levels After COVID Vaccine

Some Immunosuppressant Drugs Cause Lower Antibody Levels after COVID Vaccine than do Other Drugs Home » Pregnancy A

Woman holding thermometer to head during what is a lupus flare

What is a Lupus Flare: Prevent and Treat [March 2025 Update]

Did you know that even mild to moderate lupus flares are associated with a two-fold increased risk of

Extra COVID vaccines are important for us to prevent infection

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!