What are the Possible Causes of Lupus?

What Causes Lupus?

In order to hopefully treat and prevent recurrence of lupus we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow lupus symptoms to develop?"

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Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind lupus consists of three steps:

Step 1: List the Possible Causative Factors

Identify all disease conditions, lifestyle choices and environmental risk factors that can lead to lupus symptoms. Here are six possibilities:

Adrenal Fatigue
Atherosclerosis
Autoimmune Tendency
Lyme Disease*
Low DHEA
Gluten Sensitivity

* symptoms can be very similar

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

Identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

unexplained missed periods

poor tolerance of heat

diminished perspiration

recurring depression

history of colon cancer

severe fatigue after slight exertion

Addison's disease

breast cancer

frequent 'chills'

long-term cortisol use

minor health decline

probable miscarriage

... and more than 100 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of lupus symptoms:

Cause	Probability	Status
Low DHEA	94%	Confirm
Autoimmune Tendency	71%	Possible
Gluten Sensitivity	25%	Unlikely
Lyme Disease**	1%	Ruled out
Atherosclerosis	0%	Ruled out
Adrenal Fatigue	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

** Symptoms can be very similar

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Immune System Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about lupus:

Have you ever been diagnosed with Lupus (SLE, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)?

Possible responses:

→ No / don't know
→ Minor episode(s) now resolved
→ Major episode(s) now resolved
→ Current minor problem
→ Current major problem

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either history of lupus or lupus, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Atherosclerosis

Numerous studies have confirmed premature, accelerated atherosclerosis in SLE patients. Although the exact cause is not known at this point, atherosclerotic heart disease is a common cause of morbidity and death amongst lupus patients.

Autoimmune Tendency

Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease

Some patients diagnosed SLE may in fact be suffering the results of gluten intolerance. In these cases, removing gluten from the diet may completely cure the patient. [Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2004; 63: pp1501-3)]

Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency

Lupus is one of the auto-immune diseases, caused by a hyperactive ("hypervigilant") immune system that attacks a person's own protein as if it were foreign matter. One reason for this is poor adrenal function. Adrenal steroids modulate (slow down) the immune system: when there is not enough of these steroids the immune system goes berserk.

Low DHEA Level

Low blood levels of the hormone DHEA have been associated with more severe symptoms in people with SLE. Preliminary trials have suggested that 50 to 200mg per day DHEA improved symptoms in people with SLE. One double-blind trial of women with mild to moderate SLE found that 200mg of DHEA per day improved symptoms and allowed a greater decrease in prednisone use, but a similar trial in women with severe SLE found only insignificant benefits.

Lyme Disease

Lyme arthritis is often mistaken clinically for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™