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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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Proteinuria in lupus nephritis. This is what a kidney looks like

Lupus Nephritis Diagnosis: Now in a nutshell in this video [FEB 2025 UPDATE]

Lupus Nephritis Diagnosis in easy-to-understand language ___________________________ NOTE: Johns Hopkins University Press, publisher of The Lupus Encyclopedia, is 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
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
Beat cancer woman with pink gloves and pink ribbon for breast cancer

Lupus and Cancer Risk: Learn to Prevent Cancer! [August 2024]

People who have lupus have an increased risk for getting some cancers. Knowing what they are and how
CBD for lupus medical marijuana leaf symbol

CBD for Lupus: Look here for the best advice [2023 Update]

Medical Marijuana (Cannabis, Cannabinoids, THC, CBD for Lupus)? Should patients use CBD or other cannabis products for lupus?
Anti-cardiolipin antibodies and lupus

Anticardiolipin Antibodies and Lupus [Feb 2025 Update]

Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACLA), a type of antiphospholipid antibody, can thicken the blood and potentially cause devastating blood clots
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
Woman who has a malar rash (butterfly rash) due to lupus with lupus disease activity

How Severe is Your Lupus? Use a Lupus Severity Index

Read on to learn how you to figure out your lupus disease activity with a Lupus Severity Index
treatment of lupus showing a lot of pills tablets and capsules

Treatment of Lupus: Best Practices & Guidelines [Mar ’25 Update]

The treatment of lupus has improved significantly over the past decade. Most patients can expect to go into
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
A lupus patient with Jaccoud

Lupus Tendonitis: A Common Cause of Pain in Lupus Patients

https://www.lupusencyclopedia.com/book-photos/#tendon…
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
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
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
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
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
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
Text stating Mitochondria is the Powerhouse of the Cell a cause of fatigue in lupus

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).
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  
Graphs showing Lupkynis voclosporin efficacy in lupus nephritis Lancet article

Voclosporin for Lupus Nephritis: Great results in The Lancet

Note the impressively higher response rates in the blue bars (Lupkynis + mycophenolate + steroids) compared to pink
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
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
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
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 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
Image of blood cells

Benlysta Reviews: Learn the amazing truth on how it works

  …
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
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
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
Coronavirus vaccine for COVID-19 and lupus patients

COVID Vaccine for Immunocompromised Patients and What Drugs to Stop [December 2023 UPDATE]

The American College of Rheumatology Provides Guidance for stopping drugs to enhance the COVID vaccine for immunocompromised patients
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
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
Image showing complications of dry mouth from lupus exocrine involvement

Lupus and The Exocrine Gland System: Sjögren’s Disease [Mar ’25 Update]

Lupus patients can have dry mouth, eyes, and skin. Most of the time, this is due to having
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
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
Benlysta is FDA approved to treat lupus nephritis

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
Newspaper on fire about lupus patients and COVID-19 vaccines

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
Photo of person holding a soap bubble

The Best Soap for Lupus Patients (Feb 2025 Update)

Selecting the right soap for lupus patients is crucial because certain soaps can worsen irritation from cutaneous lupus
White blood cells in urine or pyuria

Lupus and High White Blood Cells in Urine

Elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts can arise in lupus patients for various reasons. This article will delve
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 symptoms in men

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
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
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
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
A lupus Coombs test being done in a lab

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
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
White woman doctor giving female lupus patient a flu shot

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
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
COVID Booster vaccine for lupus patients is possible according to research study

Immunosuppressed Patients Respond to Booster Shots: Hope for a COVID Booster Vaccine for Lupus and Other Autoimmune Disease Patients? [Updated 8/12/21]

  Will a COVID Booster Vaccine for Lupus Patients Increase Response Rates? We do not know, yet. However,
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