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Lupus & related conditions

The big three of connective tissue diseases can all be diagnosed with simple blood tests. Find out more about each condition below.

Lupus

Lupus affects up to 1 in 750 of the female population. That makes it more common than Leukaemia or M.S.

Lupus mostly affects young women aged between 15 and 45. It is characterised by:

  • Fatigue

  • Rashes

  • Sun sensitivity

  • Aches and pains

  • Hair loss

  • Depression

  • Pleurisy

  • Multiple allergies

  • Recurrent miscarriages

  • Teenage migraines

  • Prolonged "glandular fever"

  • Teenage "growing pains"

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Lupus

Hughes Syndrome

Hughes syndrome is also known as the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) or "sticky blood". 

Hughes syndrome is characterised by blood clotting (thrombosis) and recurrent miscarriages.

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The symptoms and severity of Hughes’ Syndrome varies greatly. Most symptoms can be linked to blood clot­ting in both the veins and arteries.  

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Some of the common symptoms include:

  • Teenage migraine

  • Thrombosis

  • Strokes

  • Memory loss and visual disturbances

  • Recurrent miscarriage 

  • Cold blotchy circulation

  • Giddiness and ataxia

Hughes syndrome

Sjögren's

Sjögren's syndrome is similar to yet milder than Lupus but usually affects individuals in their 40's to 60's.

Sjögren's is often associated with symptoms including:

  • Dry eyes

  • Dry mouth

  • Previous "glandular fever" 

  • Arthritis

  • Raised ESR (marker of infection)

  • Bladder irritation

  • Occasional sun rashes

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Sjögren's can often be misdiagnosed as M.E. or fibromyalgia. 

Sjögren's
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