Lupus can be hard to diagnose, so it’s important that you know the signs and take action by seeing a medical professional right away if you suspect lupus. And because it can show up in so many different ways, it can often be mistaken for other diseases. The signs of lupus differ from person to person. Some people have just a few signs; others have more. Please talk to your medical or healthcare professional if you experience three or more of these common signs of lupus:

• Extreme fatigue (feeling tired all the time)
• Painful or swollen joints
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Unexplained fever
• Chest pain with deep breathing
• Depression, seizures, or headaches; trouble thinking; and/or memory problems
• Unusual hair loss (mainly on the scalp)
• Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress
• Red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the nose and cheeks
• Sensitivity to the sun
• Low blood count
• Swollen glands
• A history of lupus in your family

Other signs may include mouth sores, unexplained seizures (convulsions), "seeing things" (hallucinations), repeated miscarriages, and unexplained kidney problems.

Download the lupus symptom checklist here to make notes to take to your next appointment with your healthcare professional:

• put a check mark beside the symptoms you have
• where they are located
• when you first noticed them
• how often you’re experiencing them
• when you experience them

When discussed with your doctor or healthcare professional, this will give a better picture of your symptoms for diagnosis and treatment. Some important tips on talking to your doctor follow the symptom checklist.