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 Connie,
Are you saying that you’ve lost 5kilos in a week?
I recently started my medication and I am losing my weight from 54Kg to 49 and my system is weak… it’s been only a week I have been taking my medication and my cd4 count is 136 can I still gain it back maybe after a month of taking medication?
Hi Beatrice,
Are toy saying that you’ve lost weight since you were diagnosed? If you have how much weight have you lost?
Hi Im also worried I have never gained weight since I started treatment in 2012
Hi Adex, please talk to your doctor about unexpected weight loss. This is very unlikely to be related to either HIV or treatment as this all sounds stable. Although supplement advertise as supporting your immune system, unless you have a vitamin deficiency, they are unlikely to give any benefit. Being on ART and eating a healthy balanced diet is more than enough :)
Hi I’m Adex. I’m positive and I’ve been on Atripla for many years, but in the past week, I’ve noticed a sudden decrease in my weight. And I’m worried it could be something else. I don’t miss my drugs, and I also take (Immunace), which is an antioxidant and immune protection tablet.
Hi Annah,
Weight loss can sometimes be due to meds. However, it can also be due to a lot other things. As you’ve lost 8 kilos I would talk to a doctor about this.
Hi it is Annah again my cd4 was 564 when I start taking tribuss , i was 57kg now 49kg
Hi Annah,
Over what sort of time frame have you lost this weight? What was your CD4 when you started meds? Have you had any other life changes recently?
Hi my name is Annah i am on tribuss before i was 57 kg now I am down to 49 i am worried what can do it seems like i keep on losing weight