Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

Eliminate foods that cause an allergic response or to which there is a sensitivity (fast, use an elimination diet, or allergy test to isolate such foods)
Reduce animal fats
Avoid all dairy products
Avoid tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tobacco (all in the Solanacea family of plants)
Avoid alfalfa in any form (herbal tea, sprouts, etc.)

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

Beta-Carotene: 90,000 I.U.
Vitamin A: 10,000 I.U.
Vitamin B12: 1,000 mcg. IM twice weekly
Vitamin C: 1-3 gm.
Vitamin E: 1200-1600 I.U. daily - can also be applied directly to skin lesions
Vitamin K (Phytonadione): 1 mg.
Magnesium: 500-1000 mg.
Zinc: 30-50 mg.
Selenium: 200-300 mcg.
Copper: 2-4 mg.

Supplements: (references)

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): 10-25 mg. for women, 15-50 mg. for men - higher doses if necessary
Omega-3 Fatty Acids : 2 - 5 gm. TID
Hydrochloric Aicd (HCl): 20 - 40 grains (likely, but only if lab work confirms)

Botanicals: (references)

Tincture - Momordica : take 1/4 tsp. TID
Tincture - Bupleurum, Dioscorea, Centella, Glycyrrhiza: take 1/4 tsp. TID

Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

General Lupus:
Lupus, erythematosus:
Lupus, face:

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here

Other Therapies: (references)

Avoid quartz dust, antibiotic allergy, environmental pollution and other xenobiotics
Stop smoking
Remove silicon breast implants
Fasting may be beneficial

Recommended Labs:

Check for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): CBC with Diff, Blood Chemistry, Urinalysis, CRP, ANA with Reflex, Quantitative Immunoglobulins, Tissue Biopsy
Rule out acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Hematologist Exam of CBC, Prothrombin Time, Activated Partial Thromboblastin Time, Fibrinogen, Immunophenotyping, Cytogenic and Molecular Diagnosis
Rule out acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritits: Urinalysis, Streptozyme, Blood Chemistry
Rule out adrenal insufficiency: Serum ACTH/Cortisol/Aldosterone, Plasma Renin, 24-Hour Urinalysis
Rule out allergies: IgG Food Allergy Antibody, IgG and IgE Inhalent Allergy Antibody
Rule out amenorrhea: History, Hormone Panel, Thyroid Panel with TSH, hCG
Rule out anemia: Blood Chemistry, Iron Deficiency Panel
Rule out autoimmune and chronic benign neutropenia: Bone Marrow Exam
Rule out autoimmune hepatitis: SMAs, CBC with Diff, Liver Panel, Blood Chemistry
Rule out chronic fatigue syndrome: ESR, Adrenal Function, Liver Function, Coxsackie Virus B Titer, HHV6 Titer, C. pneumoniae Titer
Rule out erythema infectiosum (Fifth Disease): CBC with Diff, Parvovirus B19 Antibody
Rule out fibromyalgia: History, CRP, ANA
Rule out Goodpasture's Syndrome: Urinalysis, CBC with Diff, Renal Function, Anti-GBM Titers, Renal Biopsy
Rule out hematuria: Urinalysis with Culture, Renal Profile, ASO Levels
Rule out hepatitis B and C: Hepatitis Panel
Rule out HIV: ELISA, Western Blot
Rule out infectious arthritis: Joint Fluid Culture
Rule out Lyme Disease: Western Blot
Rule out nephrotic syndrome: Urinalysis, CBC with Diff, Renal Function, Anti-GBM Titers, Renal Biopsy
Rule out occult malignancies: Antimalignant Antibody
Rule out osteoarthritis: X-Ray
Rule out other autoimmune disorders: ANA with Reflex
Rule out pericarditis, viral: CBC with Diff, Blood Chemistry, Nasopharangeal Aspirate and Stool for Virus Isolation, Blood Culture, Chest X-Ray, Echocardiogram
Rule out pleural effusion: Pleural Fluid Analysis, Chest X-Ray
Rule out polyarteritis nodosa: CBC with Diff, ESR, CRP, 24-Hour Urine, Creatine Phosphokinase
Rule out pseudogout: Joint Fluid Aspiration
Rule out pyelonephritis: Urinalysis, CBC with Diff, Renal Function, Urine Culture, Renal Ultrasound
Rule out rheumatic fever: CRP, Heart-Reactive Antibodies D8/17, Chest X-Ray, Echocardiogram
Rule out rheumatoid arthritis: ANA, Rheumatoid Factor
Rule out serum sickness: CBC with Diff, ESR, Urinalysis, Renal Panel, Quantitative Immunoglobulins
Rule out system sclerosis: CBC with Diff, Urinalysis, Blood Chemistry, ESR, ANA with Reflex, Quantitative Immunoglobulins
Rule out thyroid disorders: Thyroid Panel with TSH, Anti-TPO, Thyroid Scan with Radioactive Iodine Uptake

* The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.