Living with lupus can be a daily struggle—the fatigue, pain, and unpredictability of symptoms can make things hard enough. Factor in the conventional care methods that at times can be more draining than helpful, and it can feel more isolating and difficult than ever to get the help you need.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissue. Common impact areas of this condition include joints, skin, and internal organs. Traditionally, conventional approaches to treating lupus have mainly included symptom management and preventing damage to internal organs. However, new functional medicine approaches focus on identifying and addressing root causes and underlying triggers, aiming for whole-person balance and well-being.
Here at PrimeHealth Denver, a dedicated functional medicine clinic in Denver, Colorado, you can explore solutions to your lupus with tailored treatment plans from certified functional medicine providers, all designed with you at the center. We partner with patients with complex chronic conditions like lupus to uncover the cause of the symptoms, and empower patients with treatments that can stop conditions like lupus in their tracks rather than simply manage symptoms.
We work with conventional rheumatologists, offering complementary tools and insights while our functional medicine approach fills a gap, investigating the ‘why’ behind symptoms and rejecting temporary band-aid fixes to symptoms.
In this article, we’ll explore exactly what lupus is, what can trigger it, testing, treatment strategies, and how PrimeHealth Denver can help.
Understanding Lupus: Beyond the Surface Symptoms
Lupus manifests differently in each person. Some may experience a “remission” with long periods of no symptoms, while others may experience “flares” where their lupus symptoms are frequent and extreme. Key symptoms can include:
- Profound fatigue: This can be debilitating, and is especially prevalent in lupus patients, making everyday life difficult and daily tasks a struggle.
- Joint and muscle pain: While severity of the pain can vary, some patients with more severe cases can experience disruptive pain.
- Skin issues: Butterfly rashes, discoid lupus, and photosensitivity are all possible skin impacts.
- Fever: While low-grade fevers are common in those with lupus, fevers of 101°F or higher are a sign of a flare up, and may require urgent medical attention.
- Hair loss: This can vary from person to person, and can become severe in nature.
- Organ involvement: Vital organs such as the kidneys and the heart may be impacted by lupus flareups.
While conventional medicines such as NSAIDs, antimalarials (Plaquenil), corticosteroids (Prednisone), immunosuppressants (Methotrexate, Azathioprine), and biologics (Belimumab, Anifrolumab) can be vital in managing inflammation and preventing additional organ damage, there are limitations. Conventional medications focus on the symptoms, and as with all medications, certain side effects pose a risk.
Functional medicine focuses on why the immune system is dysregulated, and identifies the specific contributing factors that are causing the condition.
Digging Deeper: Uncovering Your Lupus Triggers with Functional Medicine
While some people may be genetically predisposed to lupus (and the condition tends to be more common in women), certain environmental and lifestyle factors can also trigger lupus. Smoking, unhealthy diet, and lack of sleep are all lifestyle factors that can trigger or worsen lupus. Environmental impacts such as prolonged exposure to UV rays like sunlight, certain drugs and antibiotic medications, stress, infections, or exposure to chemicals like silica dust and heavy metals can also cause significant lupus flareups. With women in particular, hormones can play a role in lupus flareups, and an imbalance of hormones can worsen lupus flares.
As functional medicine works to solve some of the mysteries behind what causes lupus, there are a few key areas the science investigates:
Gut Health
Your gut biome is the epicenter of immune system regulation. An imbalance in gut microbes, also known as gut dysbiosis, has been consistently connected with lupus as being a root cause for the condition. Additionally, leaky gut syndrome creates a compromised barrier within the intestine, allowing toxins to pass through the body and cause systemic inflammation.
Due to the centrality of the gut and its major role in transporting nutrients throughout the body—and flushing out toxins—compromised intestinal barriers can lead to increased flareups of lupus, and have often been identified as one of the causes of the condition.
Environmental Toxin Exposure
There are several environmental factors that may lead to the development of lupus in the body. For example, if you have an occupational exposure to crystalline silica (most commonly found in construction materials), heavy metals like lead and cadmium, pesticides, or solvents, your risk for developing lupus is much higher. Inhaling toxins through smoking or air pollution can also be a potential trigger for lupus.
Chronic Infections and Immune Dysregulation
Some chronic infections, such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), have a strong association with lupus. Since lupus is a condition in which healthy tissue is under attack, EBV can be especially triggering, as one of its main mechanisms involves attacking immune cells called B cells. With less immune cells available to stop the sabotage of healthy tissues from lupus, EBV can cause higher flares and stronger risk of disease activity.
Chronic Stress and HPA Axis Dysfunction
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis is a complex part of the endocrine system in the body that is responsible for handling stress. While short-term stress can temporarily strengthen the immune system, chronic stress can significantly hinder it, resulting in cortisol resistance and immune dysregulation. As such, stress is a recognized lupus flare trigger. Tests such as cortisol or DHEA tests can help identify if high stress hormones are causing lupus flareups in your body.
Nutrient Deficiencies and Imbalances
Vitamin D and lupus are closely intertwined, with one imbalance affecting the other. Those with lupus may find themselves deficient in Vitamin D, and conversely, those with a Vitamin D deficiency may also develop or experience more severe symptoms of lupus. Since Vitamin D can come from sunlight, one of the factors known to irritate lupus symptoms, symptoms can be especially prevalent when those with lupus are overexposed to sunlight. Through immune modulation, or the process of changing how the immune system responds to stressors, Vitamin B, Omega-3s, magnesium, zinc, antioxidants, and other vital nutrients can be introduced to the body to help combat the symptoms of lupus.
Food Sensitivities and Intolerances
Those with lupus may find themselves with some new food sensitivities and intolerances, thanks to chronic inflammation and leaky gut as two associated causes of the condition. Common triggers such as gluten and dairy can cause gastrointestinal upset, and can cause lupus symptoms to be more severe. Sometimes, symptoms may improve just with simply removing gluten and dairy from your diet.
PrimeHealth Denver’s Investigative Toolkit
At PrimeHealth Denver, we use advanced functional testing to move beyond just standard guesswork and symptom management. Our board certified practitioners Dr. Soyona Rafatjah MD, Jennifer Thomspon, MHS, PA-C, IFMCP, Savannah Young, MSN FNP-C, Abby Mcpherson, MPH PA-C IFMCP, Nicole Stamatakos, RD, Patient Coordinator Jessica Farrell, Patient Success Manager Alex Englehart, and owner Luke Schmidt are here to guide you through identifying the cause of your lupus, and treating the condition at its source.
| Test Category | Specific Test Example | What It Assesses | Why It Matters for Lupus |
| Gut Health | GI-MAP Stool Test | Microbiome balance (dysbiosis), inflammation, leaky gut markers, pathogens | Identifies gut imbalances strongly linked to immune dysregulation, inflammation, and potential autoimmune triggers |
| Environmental Toxins | Urine Toxin Panels | Levels of heavy metals, pesticides, mold mycotoxins, plasticizers | Assesses exposure to known or suspected immune disruptors and triggers for autoimmunity |
| Nutrient Status | Blood/Urine Nutrient Test | Levels of Vitamin D, Omega-3s, B vitamins, minerals, antioxidants | Reveals deficiencies (like Vitamin D) or imbalances crucial for immune function and energy production |
| Stress Hormones | Adrenal Stress Profile | Salivary cortisol rhythm, DHEA levels | Evaluates HPA axis function and the impact of chronic stress on the body, a known flare trigger |
| Infections | Blood/Stool Pathogen Test | Antibodies to EBV, CMV; presence of gut pathogens | Identifies potential chronic infections (like EBV reactivation) that may perpetuate inflammation |
| Food Sensitivities | IgG Food Sensitivity Panel | Delayed immune reactions to various foods | Helps identify potential dietary triggers contributing to inflammation and leaky gut |
| Autoimmune Markers | Advanced Blood Panels | ANA, Anti-dsDNA, Anti-Sm, complement levels, inflammatory markers (ESR, hs-CRP) | Tracks specific lupus antibodies and overall inflammation to monitor disease and response to therapy |
Note: Specific test recommendations are always personalized based on individual history and presentation.
Crafting Your Personalized Roadmap to Wellness: Functional Medicine Strategies for Lupus
With PrimeHealth in Denver, Colorado, you won’t find a simple one-size-fits-all “lupus diet” or standard protocol to follow. Instead, we identify success plans for each individual person, bringing a tailored, multi-faceted approach to your care.
Foundational Nutrition
With this approach, the ultimate goal is to reduce inflammation throughout the body, support gut health, and provide healthy nutrients to help combat the immune system attacks caused by lupus.
An anti-inflammatory diet would prioritize colorful fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants, healthy fats such as avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds, whole foods, quality protein, and foods high in Omega-3s such as fatty fish like salmon and mackerel.
To help reduce symptoms, processed foods, sugar, refined carbs, unhealthy fats, and any common triggers like gluten or dairy that are identified with each specific patient should be avoided. Many people who struggle with lupus have found a Mediterranean diet has been a beneficial one to follow to help combat symptoms of lupus.
If gut healing is found to be a major cause of your lupus, foods high in fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics can help support gut healing. We’ll work with you to develop guided elimination diets to slowly remove harmful or triggering food groups from your diet.
Targeted Supplementation
By adding supplements to your diet, we can bridge the gap between what your body needs and what it isn’t being given naturally. Our expert practitioners will guide you through this process, and create a personalized approach based on testing and your individual needs.
Some key supplements that may be recommended are:
Vitamin D: Improves fatigue symptoms, manages inflammation.
Omega-3 Fish Oil: Anti-inflammatory, CV support, oxidative stress, and potential fatigue improvement.
Curcumin (Turmeric): Potent anti-inflammatory/antioxidant.
Probiotics/Prebiotics: Based on stool tests for healthy microbiome balance.
Other Potential Support: B vitamins such as methylation, Magnesium, Glycine, and some botanicals may also be recommended.
Lifestyle as Powerful Medicine: Stress Management and Resilience
Since stress is one of the biggest links to symptoms of lupus, building resilience and improving stress can help reduce lupus symptoms.
Evidence-based stress reduction techniques such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), meditation and deep breathing, yoga, and Tai Chi are all great first steps in reducing your stress. Additionally, implementing the “Spoon Theory,” or the idea that you only have so many “spoons” to handle tasks each day, can help you balance your responsibilities with rest to avoid unnecessary stress and burnout.
Additionally, consistent movement and exercise can help with lupus symptoms despite fatigue being a major hindrance for many people dealing with the condition. While it can be tricky to get up and go at first, long-term fatigue can be reduced with consistent steady movement, and your overall mood and joint and bone health may improve.
It’s important to listen to your body and not overexert yourself, especially during flares. Start slow, use low-impact routines like walking, swimming, and yoga, gently pushing yourself through fatigue without going too far, and remember to stay hydrated with plenty of electrolytes.
As for another crucial lifestyle change: Restorative sleep can help repair immune function and can address fatigue. Many who suffer from lupus struggle with poor sleep, as well. Proper sleep routines such as avoiding screens and caffeine before bedtime, sleeping in a cool, dark room, and maintaining a regular sleeping and waking time can all aid in improving symptoms.
Finally, reducing the burden of toxins in your body can make a big difference in improving symptoms. Minimize your exposure to harmful materials that may cause lupus by filtering water, eating organic foods when feasible, and use diligent sun safety practices. SPF 55 or higher is recommended when outdoors. Additionally, if you are a smoker, quitting will help resolve your symptoms faster.
Your Partner in Health: The PrimeHealth Denver Difference
PrimeHealth Denver is a supportive partner in your lupus care, providing personalized, root-cause functional medicine right here in Denver, Colorado. We work with the patient and your existing medical team for comprehensive care, and we look beyond conventional symptom management to help you find the healthiest version of yourself.
You can find personalized treatment plans through in-depth provider visits with expert practitioners like Dr. Rafatjah, advanced functional testing, and individual wellness plans with health coaching and ongoing support to empower you to be an active participant in your health journey.
Ready to investigate the underlying factors causing your lupus and discover targeted treatment strategies designed just for you? Schedule your initial consultation with a functional medicine expert at PrimeHealth Denver today.
Frequently Asked Questions about Functional Medicine and Lupus
Can functional medicine cure lupus?
Functional medicine is not a cure, but it focuses on the root causes rather than just temporarily treating symptoms, which can lead to overall symptom improvement, remission potential, and holistic management. It is not a replacement for conventional care.
Is it safe to combine functional medicine with conventional treatments?
Yes! Functional medicine is intended to be complementary. It is crucial to inform all providers what treatments you are seeking, as collaboration is key to success.
What results can I realistically expect?
Like most treatment plans, results will be highly individual, but some potential improvements you may see include: reduced fatigue, pain, flares; better digestion, mood, and well-being. It is a gradual process that requires commitment.
How is PrimeHealth Denver’s approach different from my regular doctor’s approach?
A conventional approach may involve managing and diagnosing the lupus. PrimeHealth Denver specifically investigates the why behind your lupus using deeper testing (gut, toxins, and nutrients), and creates personalized holistic care plans involving nutrients, lifestyle changes, and possibly supplements.
Will my insurance cover functional medicine consultations or testing at PrimeHealth Denver?
Coverage varies. Consultations often are not directly covered, and lab coverage can vary. During your consultation, we will have a transparent discussion with you on any potential costs.
