Does Lupus Cause Weight Gain? Why People With Lupus Notice Shifts in Their Weight
Key takeaways:
Lupus is an autoimmune condition that affects many parts of the body. Lupus doesn’t directly cause weight gain, but people with lupus often experience weight changes.
Medications that treat lupus, like corticosteroids, can cause weight gain as a side effect. People with lupus often have to take steroids for long periods of time, which can lead to weight gain.
Lupus can also cause arthritis, muscle pain, and severe fatigue. These symptoms limit people’s ability to keep physically active, which can also contribute to weight gain.
Lupus is a lifelong autoimmune condition that can affect every part of the body. People with lupus can experience a wide range of symptoms and develop other health conditions like kidney damage, arthritis, eye disease, and heart problems. Lupus treatment stops the immune system from attacking healthy tissue and can stop serious lupus complications from starting.
Living with lupus isn’t easy and neither is lupus treatment. Since lupus can affect every area of your health, it’s natural to have questions about changes you experience during treatment. Some people living with lupus notice a significant shift in their weight. Weight changes with lupus are common, but they can also affect your health and response to treatment.
Why do people with lupus experience weight fluctuation?
You may have noticed that your weight isn’t as stable since being diagnosed with lupus. Lupus doesn’t directly cause weight gain. But lupus symptoms and treatments can cause weight fluctuations. Here’s how living with lupus can affect your weight.
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1. Medications used to treat lupus can cause weight gain
Today, there are many more lupus treatment options than in the past. Newer treatment options help keep the immune system in check and stop lupus flares from starting. But even with new treatments, most people living with lupus need to take corticosteroids, like prednisone.
Corticosteroids stop inflammation and help regulate the immune system. They can help relieve lupus symptoms by calming lupus flares. But corticosteroids can also cause many side effects, including weight gain. Corticosteroids tell your body to hold onto fluid, and they also increase your appetite. Both of these actions can cause weight gain. Taking corticosteroids for long periods of time can also lead to Cushing’s syndrome, which causes fat buildup around the torso.
Many people living with lupus often need to take high doses of corticosteroids to control their flares. And some people need to take steroids for weeks or months to keep their immune system under control. That means people living with lupus are more likely to experience weight gain as a side effect of taking corticosteroids.
2. Lupus symptoms make it hard to stay physically active
People living with lupus often experience severe muscle and joint pain. They can also develop lupus arthritis. These physical symptoms make it hard to complete daily activities. People also experience extreme tiredness (fatigue) during flares because of widespread inflammation.
The combination of all these symptoms makes it very hard for people to stay physically active. People tend to gain weight when they’re not as physically active.
3. Lupus can lead to other medical conditions that can impact weight
Lupus can lead to other health conditions that can cause weight gain. Some people also develop hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Hypothyroidism can also cause weight gain.
Lupus can also affect your sleeping patterns. Poor sleep can lead to weight gain over time. People living with lupus are also at higher risk for developing depression. Many people living with depression also experience weight gain over time.
While many people experience weight gains, it’s important to note that lupus can also lead to weight loss and malnutrition. People who experience long bouts of inflammation or who develop organ damage from lupus are more likely to develop unintentional weight loss.
Is weight gain from lupus common?
Yes. Weight gain from lupus is common, especially if you’re taking high doses of corticosteroids or your mobility is affected. Many people living with lupus have to deal with both of these situations at the same time, which puts them at higher risk for weight gain.
In fact, people living with lupus are more likely to be diagnosed with obesity than other adults of a similar age. In studies, up to half of all people living with lupus were diagnosed with obesity.
Can obesity worsen lupus symptoms?
Yes. People living with both lupus and obesity tend to experience more severe episodes of fatigue and pain. They also have a higher risk of developing additional health problems like:
Type 2 diabetes
Heart disease
High cholesterol
Decreased mobility
People with lupus may experience these health conditions at a lower body mass index (BMI). In one study, women living with lupus developed health complications associated with obesity starting at BMI of 26.8. These complications are more commonly seen in people with a BMI over 30.
Tips for managing weight while living with lupus
It can be hard (and even impossible) to avoid weight fluctuations when you’re living with lupus. But there are things you can do to keep your weight within your target range.
1. Stay active
Try to stay as active as you can. You should shift your activity level based on how you’re feeling. Some days, you may only feel well enough to walk around your home. But other days, you may be able to go for a run or bike ride. Embrace whatever activity level your body allows.
You can also look into new ways of staying active. Low-impact activities like yoga, water aerobics, and tai chi can be easier on your body while still stimulating your muscles and reinforcing your balance and strength.
2. Eat a well-balanced diet
There’s no set of specific foods that can help you avoid lupus flares. And in general, it’s a myth that certain foods can trigger a lupus flare. Some people may notice they’re more likely to develop a lupus flare after eating certain foods. If that’s the case for you, it’s OK to avoid those foods. But there’s no need to avoid specific foods if you haven’t noticed any connection between specific foods and flares.
But it’s still a good idea to eat a well-balanced diet. This means a diet that includes plenty of whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, and lean meats, including fish. Avoid ultra-processed foods when you can. Ultra-processed foods contain a lot of calories and relatively few nutrients, which can lead to weight gain.
3. Talk with your care team about your treatment options
Talk with your care team about your medication plan. You may not be able to avoid corticosteroids completely, but you may be able to take a lower dose or shorter courses. Your care team may assume that you’re happy with your current treatment plan if your symptoms are under control.
It’s important to advocate for yourself and let your healthcare team know when you want to consider other options. Keep these conversations going and make sure to check in with your healthcare professional regularly so you can learn about new treatment options as they become available.
The bottom line
Lupus doesn’t directly cause weight gain. But side effects from lupus symptoms and lupus treatments can lead to weight gain. Corticosteroids are a mainstay of lupus treatment. These medications can cause weight gain. Arthritis, pain, and fatigue can make you less active, which can also lead to weight gain.
Why trust our experts?
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Lupus symptoms.
Coleman, L. (2018). Diet and lupus. Lupus Foundation of America.
Goessler, K. F., et al. (2022). Lifestyle interventions and weight management in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: A systematic literature review and metanalysis. Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.
Katz, P., et al. (2011). Impact of obesity on functioning among women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Care & Research.
Klionsky, Y., et al. (2020). Thyroid disease in lupus: An updated review. ACR Open Rheumatology.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Cushing syndrome.
Stojan, G., et al. (2021). Cachexia in systemic lupus erythematosus: Risk factors and relation to disease activity and damage. Arthritis Care & Research.
