My mom only has the skin lupus, and not the kind that infects internal structures. I am also male (which I understand lessens your risk?). My father has no autoimmune diseases. I do have a few autoimmune disease however, which include hypothyroidism, and a small area of psoriasis on my leg.

Are there other autoimmune disease I should be concerned about down the road? I’m turning 24 in a few months, and again I am also male.

Answer
Although anyone can get lupus, most estimates show that 9 out of 10 people who contract lupus are women. With it also being 3 times more likely to be found in African American women than white women

Is it possible to have lupus even though non of your family has lupus?

I have tested positive for lupus, and I have many lupus symptoms. My doctors believe I may have lupus, but I have not been officially diagnosed with lupus. All of my family members are very healthy. No one in my family has any illnesses. No one in my family has ever had any type of autoimmune disease. I am the first and only person. Is this possible and how could this be?

Answer
More often than not people who are diagnosed with Lupus do not have anyone in their family with Lupus. My wife is one example of this. Her family is very healthy yet she has severe organ involved SLE.

Researchers believe that both genetics and environmental factors cause Lupus. The important part now isn’t to worry about where you got it from but rather to focus on how to keep yourself healthy. Make sure you get to know your doctors and have an open line of communication with them. Lupus is a very treatable disease but if it gets out of control it can be very difficult to recover from.

If you have any questions you can post them here, but I would definately go to the Lupus Foundation of America at Lupus.org and learn more about your disease.