Guides

Metabolic changes

Many HIV meds can change the levels of fat and sugar in our bodies.

Metabolic changes can also be caused by lifestyle factors including poor diet and lack of exercise.

These include:

  • Changes in blood lipids (fats) like cholesterol and triglycerides.
  • Changes in blood glucose (sugar) – an early sign of diabetes.

Routine monitoring by your HIV clinic, with blood or urine tests, look for these possible side effects

Other body changes

Body changes called lipodystrophy were reported as a side effect of the first HIV drugs.

Luckily, this is no longer a worry with modern HIV drugs.

Lipodystrophy and metabolic changes

Last updated: 1 September 2024.