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 annah,
How much weight have you lost, and over what time period?
Hi I’m on Tribuss, I keep on losing weight, what must I do?
Hi Sinah,
Weight loss is due to a lot to of things. What meds are you on?
I discovered in 2010 that i’m positive,so decided to start treatment now in 2017 my CD4 was 700,i’m worried about my weight loss.could this be caused by arvs??
Hi Zinhle,
A 4kilo weight loss isn’t something to worry about. Also the weight loss could be due to many reasons, of which one is stress.
I start HIV treatment last year my weight was 50kg and nw is 46kg.Please help me Im worried to lose too much weight like these.
Hi Tumi,
Its now very rare for people to lose weight due to ARVs. Therefore, you should be OK.
You might be feeling weak due to the meds, or due to stress. How are you doing?
hey I I’ve just found out I’m HIV positive…I was diagnosed on 20/09/2017 and i was infected on August so I have just started taking meds…will I loose weight in future?I’m too worried about my weight coz I’m a bodybuilder and I always feel weak nowadays
Hi Dieno,
Are you living with HIV? If you are what meds are you on? Might the weight loss simply be you losing your baby weight?
Hi I’m Dineo and have 10 months baby which im breastfeeding.. I have lost weight and continues to lose more…what can I do to boost my weight???