Question
Worried about weight loss
19 November 2012. Related: All topics.
My wife and I are both HIV positive. After initially gaining weight from 42kg to 52kg in the first year on treatment my wife has dropped back down to around 46kg in the last year. I am worried, as I have read that weight loss is linked to a worse prognosis even in people stable on treatment.
She started treatment with a low CD4 (50) and active toxoplasmosis infection. However, since starting treatment 2 years ago her viral load has remained undetectable (other than 1 or two blips) and her CD4 count has risen to over 400 where it appears to have stabilized.
The doctors have not mentioned anything about her weight loss on our usual visits although the HIV nurse seemed quite surprised when she last saw us.
Our next appointment with the doctor is not until February. Should we arrange an appointment before then to discuss this weight loss or can it wait until then?
What are the best foods that are cheaply available in the UK that can encourage weight gain? Do you have any other advice for us with regard to this situation?
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Answer
Hello,
Thanks for getting in touch. An unexplained weight loss of 10% is something which you do need to talk to your doctor about. This is because this may be a sign of an undiagnosed infection.
It’s worth rearranging your appointment, or going to see your GP about this. They will be able to look for reasons behind the weight loss and may also be able to suggest dietary supplements to encourage weight gain.
Best of luck, please let me know how you get on, and if you have any questions!
Hi Siku,
If your CD4 is this low, you need to be using ARVs.
i-base advocates aren’t medical doctors, therefore if you’re still losing weight and you’re unable to stop vomiting you need to see a doctor.
Hi I am hiv positive and been sick for months because I couldn’t eat I was vomiting all foods after 3 months of speculation and in and out of hospital it was discovered that I had stomach TB I had already lost a lot of weight then and already went for surgery to remove my cecum unfortunately the wound was septic and I started TB treatment my CD was a very low 17 and but was doing better after two weeks Art but I am struggling with treatment as I am back to vomiting and back to losing weight I am scared
Hi Akulo,
As Rebecca says on this Q&A if you’re losing a lot of weight you need to talk to your doctor about it.
However, please see this guide to a balanced diet and your health. Making changes to your diet can help you to put on weight. You can also ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian for advice on this too.
But how’s the HIV treatment going? Are you feeling okay? And if you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results please tell us what they are.
what medicine can I take to gain weight,am on ARVs
Hi Beatrice,
It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about unexplained weight loss. That’s because it might be caused by another infection.
But how is your HIV treatment going? Please let us know what meds you’re taking. And if you have access to your viral load and CD4 results, please tell us what they are.
Here’s the guide to a balanced diet and your health. There’s a lot of tips in this about food that can help you gain weight.