Question

What can I do to put on weight?

20 September 2016. Related: All topics, Side effects.

Hi, I recently found am HIV positive in june 2016 and I started taking my medication around July my cd4 count was 203 and now am experiencing a loss of fat in my body. I keep on taking medication but what must I do to maintain my body on the right tract because I used to be muscular. I am eating lot of vegetables and high protein food and high fibre. 

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Hi

Without details of your weight loss, over which time and your normal weight, it is difficult to provide individual information. Unexplained weight loss of more than 5% of your body weigh over 6 months is something that your doctor needs to try to explain..

If you are now on treatment then neither HIV not the meds are likely to be causing body changes. This is because there is so little HIV and because this isn;t a side affect of HIV meds.

The only exception is if your combination includes a drug called stavudine. If the medicine package shows stavudine, then ask your doctor about changing to a different drug.

Otherwise, everything you would do to build muscle mass is the same as for someone who is HIV negative. Take advice from a health trainer at a gym for this. It usually involves eating higher carbohydrates and proteins and building up resistance exercise.