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!
I’m on my third dose of trivens, I can’t seem to see any difference, I thought I would gain weight after taking just my first dose
Hi Annah,
Please see Q13 here: http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
How much weight have you gained and over what period of time? What’s your lifestyle like?
Hi im hiv positive an my problem is im gaininng weight im now 97kg and wanna loose weight can i use the apple cider plus green tea caps?
Hi Irv,
I’m sorry but this isn’t something that i-base are able to help you with.
Hello. Irvin I’ve been taking my medication Everyday I’ve missed my appointment because I’ve been working so much but lately I’ve been losing weight or having been gained weight I’m staying in La but my doctor is in Lancaster in he’s never there only Thursday his Name is Dr.Chang I can’t never get in contact with him I’m really starting to worried about my weight in I just need to contact him
Hi Confirm,
Which meds are you taking? How is your lifestyle?
I been taking my meds and I have lost body fat how can I gain my weight back and body fat
Hi Hans,
This Q&A is for people who are HIV positive. Are you HIV positive? If so, what meds are you taking?
I was hospilised for waist pain and spinal pain and I refused an operation of the spine because of the risk involed since then i cannot recover back my weight which has dropped from 90 to 70 and this is a about six months since i was discharged. How can i improve on my weight.
Hi Nelly, Please go to see your doctor to find out why you’re losing weight. As it says above it may be the sign of undiagnosed infection.