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 am James. Am tested + in 2017 but start treatment in 2019 two months ago after loss of weight and my cd4 is below 100 (84). What will I do to boost my cd4
Hi Caroline,
If your HIV is under control, which it is given your results, then this would imply that your weight loss isn’t related to you being positive. With regards to the rash, you’ll need to see a dermatologist about this.
Caro I started my treatment 2006 but I’m also loosing weight to more than 10kg every three months starting this year but I notify my doctor about it,then he did some blood test for thyroid and blood sugar etc Around January this year and again around July same Test but all results came negative no problem at all.My CD4 980, sometimes 1080 and viral load undetected less than 40 but still continue to be skinny and resently I have facial skin rush.Need help of gaining weight or back to my body again
Hi Beauty,
Talking to a specialist dietitian may help. Or you could try switching to a different ARV.
It’s quite funny how the doctors don’t have any explanation or suggestions to weight loss. I also have the same problem. I’ve been on the treatment for a year and lost weight from the first month till now. I tried shakes and centrum but no change. I really need to gain my weight back. Please share info.
Hi Regina.
With regards to weight, this could be due to a number of issues. This will need to be discussed with a doctor.
You’ve said that you’ve been on meds since 2013 and that your viral load is 500, has it ever been undetectable?
Hi I’m Regina and I’m HIV since 2013,I’m on ARV Aluvia and lamzid my viral load is higher than 500,but I can’t gain wait, I told doctor about it but not advice me till today.
Hi Sophy,
Have you lost a lot of weight? Do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results?
Please let us know, and tell us what HIV meds you are taking.
I’m so sorry to hear that you don’t have doctors at the clinic. If you live in South Africa you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign for local support.
i started in 2006 and well till i started loosing weight in 2013 and the problem is that we dont have doctors in our clinic and i dont have money to go to the private doctor
Hi Leta,
It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about your weight loss.
But how is the HIV treament going? Do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results? And what ARVs are you taking?
Please let us know.