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 have many years been in treatment but the time I had tb I started only with tb treatment later I knew I had arv then I was ok with lack of interest but after trying tribuss, odinume I changed to atroiza my CD 4 went to 1118 while before it used to he 850 when I started it was 350 but wht worries me i dont gain weight like used to be wht maybe the cause nails changes to be orange like
Hi Beatrice.
How long have you been taking ARVs for? What’s your viral load history?
I am on arvs my viral load is high. Am taking me med on time. .Should I change my mediation. .thanks
Hi Mimi,
What HIV treatment (ART) are you taking? And do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results?
What does the doctor say about your weight loss? Perhaps they can they recommend a dietitian. This can be important, especially as you may not be able to digest milk.
But here is a guide to a balanced diet and your health. I hope this gives you some idea for foods you can eat lots of that may help you gain weight.
15 January 2019.I am HIV positive,It’s been 9 years now I started the treatment 4 years ago,I started to loose weight after giving birth to my 4 years old daughter,I struggle to regain it,I am worried about weight loss,I tried so many different kinds of food,I started to eat fish more often just try to get my weight back,and I am having diarrhea,I even quit eating cereals/oats/kellogs because I have to put milk in them,please help me
Hi Lunga,
As Rebecca and Lisa say on this question, weight loss can be due to a lot of reasons. So it’s a good idea for your friend to talk to the doctor about it.
My frnd is taking ARVS but her weight loss is getting from bad to worst.Last month she was 40kg but she drop to35kg this month.PLEASE HELP
Hi Leesah,
Weight loss and gain can be due to a lot of reasons, this is something that will need to be discussed with a doctor.
Am HIV positive started this year taking treatment with a CD4(250)and my weight is going up and down and am getting stressed out of this situation i don’t know what to do.
Hi Lee,
Weight loss and gain are no longer common with modern day ARVs. If you were to have weight gain is wouldn’t have immediately.
Though lots of people have side effects when they first start medication, many don’t have any. If you haven’t had any side effects, this is great. For more info about starting medication please see here: http://i-base.info/guides/starting