Weight changes — Lupus can sometimes cause weight loss or weight gain. Weight loss may be unintentional and due to decreased appetite or problems with the digestive system (see 'Digestive system' below). It can also be a side effect of some medications used to treat lupus.
Lupus can lead to weight fluctuations, depending on how the condition and its treatments affect a person's body.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects women, especially women of color. In addition to lupus symptoms, many also struggle with their weight. Obesity is more common in people with lupus than the general population.
Weight change can be a problem when you're living with lupus. The disease itself, along with many of the medicines used to treat it, can cause your weight to rise or fall beyond your control. You may have taken steroids at some point in your life with lupus—or you may be taking them now.
And since many people with lupus manage their disease with steroids, which can cause weight gain, they may find it especially hard to stay trim.
In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, the frequency of obesity is similar to or higher than in general populations [1], with prevalence ranging from 28% to 50% [2,3].
Type 1 diabetes, which is mostly detected at a younger age is another autoimmune condition that may lead to weight gain. In this condition, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, leading to a spike in the blood sugar level. Insulin plays a major role in directing the body how to use and store glucose for energy.
Lupus can rarely cause vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) in the intestines, sometimes called lupus enteritis. Symptoms include: Abdominal pain (pain in the belly area) Feeling very full or bloated. Diarrhea (watery poop)
Lupus can also drastically change one's appearance. Patients can have hair loss, rashes and scarring, as well as medication side effects like weight gain, hair loss and stretch marks,” says Dr. Jolly, who has led a number of studies on body image in people with lupus.
Kidneys About one half of people with lupus experience kidney involvement, and the kidney has become the most extensively studied organ affected by lupus. Lungs About 50% of people with SLE will experience lung involvement during the course of their disease.
Both lupus and treatments for the condition can interact with the GI system. The symptoms are nonspecific and can include nausea and abdominal pain. Lupus can lead to widespread inflammation, including inflammation of the blood vessels in the intestine. Health experts refer to this as lupus enteritis.
Some people may even experience depression, confusion, seizure, or strokes as a result of lupus. The disease can also affect blood vessels, causing Raynaud's disease discussed below.
Rashes on other parts of the body. Pain or swelling in joints. Fever, often low-grade. Chest pain when taking a deep breath.
98% of all people with systemic lupus have a positive ANA test, making it the most sensitive diagnostic test for confirming diagnosis of the disease. The test for anti-nuclear antibodies is called the immunofluorescent antinuclear antibody test.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with a wide range of clinical presentations resulting from its effect on multiple organ systems. There are four main types of lupus: neonatal, discoid, drug-induced, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the type that affects the majority of patients.
For example, untreated lupus can lead to blood disorders such as anemia or thrombosis. Other potential serious complications include: Chronic digestive distress that could include difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, indigestion, intestinal inflammation, liver enlargement, or pain when vomiting or feeling nauseous.
Antibody blood tests
The test you will hear about most is called the antinuclear antibodies test (the ANA test). 97% of people with lupus will test positive for ANA.
The prognosis of lupus is better today than ever before. With close follow-up and treatment, 80-90% of people with lupus can expect to live a normal life span. It is true that medical science has not yet developed a method for curing lupus, and some people do die from the disease.
Some of the most common signs of lupus are a rash and joint pain, says Konstantinos Loupasakis, MD, a rheumatologist with MedStar Washington Hospital Center, but symptoms can also include fatigue, hair loss, mouth sores, and fever. “There's a great range of manifestations we see with lupus,” he says.
Bloating, or swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the tissues can cause weight gain. This may be due to menstruation, heart or kidney failure, preeclampsia, or medicines you take. A rapid weight gain may be a sign of dangerous fluid retention. If you quit smoking, you might gain weight.
Blood and urine tests.
The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test can show if your immune system is more likely to make the autoantibodies of lupus. Most people with lupus test positive for ANA. But, a positive ANA does not always mean you have lupus.