What is an Autoimmune Disease?

Autoimmune diseases happen when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells.

Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue

• Muscle weakness

• Joint pain

• Brain fog

• Vision problems

• Skin changes

• Inflammation

• Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Many autoimmune diseases share similar symptoms, which can make diagnosis difficult.

The Myasthenia Gravis community helped inspire this hub.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is one of the most common autoimmune diseases affecting Black women.

Black women are 2–3 times more likely to develop lupus than White women according to the Lupus Foundation of America.

Common Symptoms

• Extreme fatigue

• Joint pain

• Butterfly rash on face

• Kidney problems

• Hair loss

• Fever

Why It Matters

Black patients often develop lupus:

• At younger ages

• With more severe disease

• With higher complication rates

Learn More

• Ask about ANA blood testing
• Track symptoms
• Seek rheumatology care early

Rheumatoid Arthritis causes inflammation and joint damage.

It can affect:

• Hands

• Wrists

• Knees

• Feet

Common Symptoms

• Morning stiffness

• Joint swelling

• Fatigue

• Weakness

Early Treatment Matters

Early treatment can prevent permanent joint damage.

Treatment may include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications

• Biologics

• Physical therapy

Thyroid Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune thyroid diseases include:

• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

• Graves’ Disease

These conditions affect metabolism and energy levels.

Common Symptoms

• Fatigue

• Weight changes

• Hair loss

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Temperature sensitivity

Important Facts

Thyroid disease is common and often overlooked.

Simple blood tests can help diagnose thyroid disorders.

Labs to Ask About

✔ TSH

✔ Free T4

✔ Free T3

✔ TPO Antibodies

✔ Thyroglobulin Antibodies

✔ TSI (if hyperthyroid symptoms)

Sjögren’s Syndrome affects moisture-producing glands.

Common Symptoms

• Dry eyes

• Dry mouth

• Fatigue

• Joint pain

• Difficulty swallowing

Some patients also experience:

• Neuropathy

• Lung involvement

• Kidney involvement

Important Facts

Many people live with Sjögren’s for years before diagnosis.

Symptoms are often mistaken for aging or medication side effects.

✔ ANA

✔ Anti-SSA (Ro)

✔ Anti-SSB (La)

✔ Rheumatoid Factor

✔ ESR

✔ CRP

✔ CBC

Multiple Sclerosis affects the brain and spinal cord.

Research shows Black patients often experience more aggressive disease progression.

• Vision problems

• Numbness

• Weakness

• Balance problems

• Fatigue

MS is often overlooked in Black patients because of outdated assumptions about who develops MS.

MS requires showing “dissemination in space and time.”

That means:

• Damage in different locations in the CNS

• Damage occurring at different times

MRI helps prove both.

To diagnose MS, doctors typically use:

✔ Neurological exam

✔ MRI of brain and spine

✔ Lumbar puncture (if needed)

✔ Evoked potential tests

✔ Blood tests to rule out other diseases

Stiff Person Syndrome is a rare autoimmune neurological condition.

• Muscle stiffness

• Muscle spasms

• Balance problems

• Sensitivity to noise or stress

Because it is rare, diagnosis can take years.

Specialists such as neurologists are usually needed.

Diagnosing Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) requires a combination of clinical evaluation, antibody testing, and specialized nerve studies.

There is no single test alone that confirms SPS. Diagnosis is based on symptoms + lab + electrical testing findings.

• It is rare

• Symptoms may mimic anxiety disorders

• Early labs may be inconclusive

• Many clinicians have never seen a case

If SPS is suspected, testing from your healthcare provider may include:

✔ Anti-GAD65 antibodies

✔ Amphiphysin antibodies

✔ EMG

✔ MRI brain & spine

✔ Lumbar puncture (if needed)

✔ Cancer screening (if indicated)