Severe dry eyes; dry lips and skin; malaise. should i get a referral to see a rheumatologist (symptoms could be sjogren's?)?

Not necessarily: Your primary case physician can do some initial lab studies to screen for the disease as well as other possible causes of your symptoms including rood disease. If needed a rheumatology referral can then be made if findings warrant.

Yes: Your symptoms are consistent with sjogren's. You might also consider seeing an eye md who can measure your tear production. Lastly, there is a new finger stick test for sjogren's which will help make diagnosis much earlier than traditional blood testing called sjo made by nicox. Only a few offices currently offer it at the moment, though.