does everyone with hiv loose weight is there meds you can take to gain your weight back what can you do to stop loosing weight

Weight loss in HIV has a number of different causes and is most typically associated with advancing disease and CD4 decline. Treating HIV with medication generally prevent weight loss although of course some older medications, d4T and AZT, triggered fat loss in many people. There are no medications approved in the EU for weight loss in HIV but in the US there are multiple agents including Marinol, Oxandrin, Megace and rh Growth Hormone. Generally, one avoids there mainly hormonal treatments until 10% weight loss or evidence of muscle wasting is observed. There are too many side effects and unwanted consequences to use them as preventatives. The best preventions are a health 'mediterranean' diet with sufficient calories to maintin your weight and regular exercise, a mix of cardio and strength types, to build and maintin muscle. Starting HIV meds round the recommended CD4 <350 range will limit ny risk of progressing to CD4 range where illness and weight loss are more common Kind Regards Dr Moyle