Celiac and Lupus

Those are not freckles, that is an example of a butterfly rash.  

Who would have thought that there is a connection between Celiac and lupus?  Well there is one, those who have Celiac are at higher risk for Systematic Lupus. It wasn't until I ran into someone who had been diagnosed first with Celiac, and then with Lupus, that I even knew there was a connection. Since Celiac and lupus can be found on the same DNA sequence, it seems they can also be activated at the same time. Those with Celiac should probably get a basic blood test to make sure that Lupus is not even a possibility for them.  I will be doing so just to make sure that this is not an issue for me, more of a ruling out test.  

Both Lupus and Celiac can be found on the HLA DR4-DQ8. Since both Celiac and Lupus are often found together on that particular gene sequence, they can also be triggered together.  However, the tests for these are very different and one or the other may be missed if not all the tests are done.

Lupus is different in everyone and shows up differently in every person who has it.  Here are a few of the basic signs of lupus; a person may only have one or two of these symptoms, or all of them.  However, having these issues does not always prove Lupus.  Many of these can come from other issues or complications.  The only one that is an indicator is the butterfly-shaped rash.  If you have this, please get tested as soon as possible. 

·         Fatigue and fever

·         Joint pain, stiffness and swelling

·         Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose

·         Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure

·         Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods 

·         Shortness of breath

·         Chest pain

·         Dry eyes

·         Headaches, confusion, memory loss

·         Sudden hair loss

Since there is a risk factor for those diagnosed with Celiac, I strongly suggest getting an exclusionary test.  The earlier you diagnose Lupus, the less chance there is for lupus-related complications.  Also it never hurts to have an exclusionary test done.  This way you can be sure that this is not an issue for you.