Vitamin D and Lupus: What You Should Know

If you’re living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), you know how unpredictable and exhausting it can be. 

A recent study from Mandalay General Hospital in Myanmar offers new insight into how vitamin D might play a role in managing lupus symptoms—and it’s something you can act on.

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. That means your immune system—which normally protects you—starts attacking your own tissues. It can affect your skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and more. Symptoms vary, but common ones include fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and anemia.

What Did the Study Look At?

Researchers wanted to see if there’s a link between vitamin D levels in the blood and how active lupus is. They studied 60 people with lupus, mostly women in their 20s, and measured:

• Their vitamin D levels

• Their disease activity using a score called SLAM (Systemic Lupus Activity Measure)

They divided participants into two groups:

• Active lupus (more symptoms)

• Inactive lupus (fewer symptoms)

What Did They Find?

The results were clear:

• People with active lupus had much lower vitamin D levels (average 12.2 ng/mL)

• People with inactive lupus had higher vitamin D levels (average 26.1 ng/mL)

• There was a moderate link between low vitamin D and higher disease activity

In simple terms: less vitamin D = more lupus symptoms

What Does This Mean for You?

While this study doesn’t prove that low vitamin D causes lupus flares, it does suggest that vitamin D might help regulate your immune system. It could be a useful marker for tracking your disease—and possibly even a target for treatment.

Here’s what you can do:

• Talk to your doctor about checking your vitamin D levels

• Ask if supplements are right for you

• Spend safe time in the sun (with sunscreen!)

• Eat vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, eggs, and fortified milk

A Word of Caution

This was a small study, and more research is needed to confirm the findings. But it’s a promising step toward understanding how lifestyle and nutrition can support autoimmune health.

Final Thoughts

Living with lupus is tough—but knowledge is power. This study gives you one more tool to help manage your symptoms and feel more in control. Vitamin D might not be a cure, but it could be part of your healing journey.

Stay curious, stay hopeful, and keep advocating for your health.

Read The Study Report

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Food Sources of Vitamin D : Nourishing from the inside 

Vitamin D and it's link to Lupus (SLE)

10 Tips for living with Autoimmune Fatigue

The information on this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for treatment by a health care practitioner.

I’m Taking Thyroid Medication… So Why Do I Still Feel Awful?

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis quite a few years ago, and like many people, I was prescribed thyroid hormone replacement—levothyroxine. I thought that would be the fix. My labs started looking “normal,” but I didn’t feel normal. I was still exhausted, foggy, gaining weight without explanation, and constantly battling mood swings. It felt like my body was betraying me, even though I was doing everything “right.”

So I started digging. And what I found changed everything.

Hashimoto’s Isn’t Just a Thyroid Problem

What I didn’t realize at first is that Hashimoto’s is actually an autoimmune condition. My immune system is attacking my thyroid, and the medication only replaces the hormones—it doesn’t stop the attack. That’s why symptoms can persist even when your TSH levels look fine.

I learned that healing Hashimoto’s requires a whole-body approach. Here’s what I’ve been trying—and what’s actually helping.

1. Tackling Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a huge part of autoimmune disease. I started by cutting out gluten and dairy, which are common triggers for people with Hashimoto’s. I also added more anti-inflammatory foods like wild salmon, berries, turmeric, and leafy greens. Within weeks, I noticed less joint pain and fewer energy crashes.

 2. Supporting My Gut

I kept reading that 70–80% of the immune system lives in the gut. That blew my mind. I did a food sensitivity test, through the hospital, and discovered I had issues with salicylates. I also started taking a high-quality probiotic and added bone broth to my routine. My digestion improved, and surprisingly, so did my brain fog.

3. Checking Nutrient Levels

Even though I was taking thyroid meds, my body was still low in key nutrients. I got tested and found out I was deficient in:

• Selenium

• Zinc

• Vitamin D

• B12

I added targeted supplements (with guidance from a functional medicine practitioner), and it made a noticeable difference in my energy and mood.

4. Managing Stress (For Real)

I used to roll my eyes at the idea that stress could affect my thyroid. But cortisol plays a huge role in hormone balance. I started doing breathwork, journaling, and walking outside daily. I also made sleep a priority—no more scrolling at midnight. It’s not perfect, but I feel more grounded and less reactive.

5. Rethinking My Medication

This one was tricky. I learned that some people don’t convert T4 (levothyroxine) into T3 (the active hormone) efficiently. I spoke with my doctor about trying a combination therapy that includes T3, and it’s been a game-changer. If your symptoms persist, it’s worth exploring options like natural desiccated thyroid or compounded meds.

Final Thoughts

If you’re living with Hashimoto’s and still feel awful despite taking your meds, you’re not crazy—and you’re definitely not alone. Your body is asking for deeper support. For me, healing has been about listening, researching, and making small but powerful changes.

I’m still on the journey, but I finally feel like I’m moving forward—not just surviving.

SLE and the Gut Microbiome: Why What’s Inside Matters

Living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) means navigating a complex and often unpredictable illness. But what if part of the puzzle lies not just in your immune system—but in your gut?

A recent review titled “To look forward is to look within” explores how the gut microbiome—the trillions of bacteria living in your digestive tract—might play a role in SLE symptoms, flares, and even treatment response. Here's what patients need to know.

What Is the Gut Microbiome?

Your gut is home to a diverse community of microbes that help digest food, support immunity, and keep inflammation in check. When this balance is disrupted—a state called dysbiosis—it can affect your whole body, including your immune system.

What Did the Study Find?

Researchers reviewed multiple studies on adults with SLE and found consistent patterns:

• Less diversity: People with SLE tend to have fewer types of gut bacteria.

• Imbalance: A lower ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (two major bacterial groups) was common.

• Overgrowth of certain bacteria: Some bacteria, like Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, and Ruminococcus gnavus, were more abundant in SLE patients.

• Leaky gut: Dysbiosis may increase gut permeability, allowing substances to enter the bloodstream that trigger immune responses.

• Link to symptoms: Changes in the microbiome were associated with disease activity, flares, kidney involvement (lupus nephritis), and other symptoms.

How Do Treatments Affect the Gut?

Medications like hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids—commonly used in SLE—can also influence gut bacteria. While they help manage symptoms, they may shift the microbiome in ways we’re still learning about.

What About Gut-Friendly Therapies?

Early research suggests that:

• Dietary changes may help rebalance the microbiome.

• Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)—transferring healthy gut bacteria from a donor—shows promise, though it's still experimental.

What Does This Mean for You?

While we’re not yet at the point of prescribing probiotics or FMT as standard SLE care, this research highlights a powerful truth: your gut health matters. It’s part of the bigger picture of how SLE develops, flares, and responds to treatment.

Looking Ahead

The gut microbiome won’t replace your current treatment plan—but it may become part of it. As science evolves, we may see more personalized approaches that include nutrition, microbiome support, and immune regulation.

For now, talk to your healthcare team about any gut symptoms you’re experiencing. And remember: your body is complex, wise, and worthy of care—from the inside out.

READ REVIEW

You might also like:

Food Sources of Vitamin D : Nourishing from the inside 

Vitamin D and it's link to Lupus (SLE)

10 Tips for living with Autoimmune Fatigue