Again, thanks so very much for this web site. You really have no idea how wonderful it is. Are we into semantics- lypoatrophy vs. lypodystrophy- thinning of the skim vs. the redistribution of fat, which would equal the same thing- but perhaps Im wrong; or perhaps one is the elimination of fat vs. the redistribution of it. At any rate, I was told by one of the doctors at the local HIV clinic that PIs will increase fat cells- he didnt have any comment re the Nucks. Im on 3tc, abacavir, and sustivia. My viral load is undetectable. Im having mild lypoatrophy on my arms and butt. If I were to change to PIs might the little fat which I have left fill out, or is it in the end the luck of the draw? Again, thanks so very much.

Michael (Toronto)

Lipodystophy is a broad term that means abnormalities in fat distribution(loss and/or gain). Lipoatrophy is a sub-category of lipodystrophy which describes fat loss. Lipoatrophy has been more associated with the nukes than PIs while fat gain has been more attributable to PIs. However, there is a lot of crossover and uncertainty about what is going on. Using a PI to try to gain lost fat would probably not work. Use of oral diabetic drugs is being tried as a possible treatment but it is too early to say whether that will pan out. KH