How Early Does Wasting Start

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Wasting Syndrome

Hormone levels can affect the metabolism. HIV seems to change some hormone levels including testosterone and thyroid. Also, cytokines play a role in wasting. Cytokines are proteins that produce inflammation to help the body fight infections. People with HIV have very high levels of cytokines. This makes the body produce more fats and sugars, but less protein. Unfortunately, these factors can work together to create a "downward spiral." For...

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Early HIV infection and facial wasting

Quick question: Is it possible to experience facial wasting early in an HIV infection before medication is started? In other words, can HIV alone cause lipoatrophy early in the course of infection?Thanks,Gloria at Body Positive...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

That has not been observed much in early HIV infection in the setting of good CD4 counts and maintaining body weight. Some patients with recent HIV infection can progress rapidly (fortunately that is a small minority of patients) and with low CD4... Read more »

Facial wasting early on HIV

Hi Doctor:I am asking my question here because on your lipodystrophy forum there doesn't seem to be much activity lately.I became HIV + about a year ago, and started meds viramune/3tc/viread about 2 months later.Viral load is <50 and tcells...

Response from Brian Conway, M.D.

University of British Columbia

I'm glad to hear you're doing well on your current therapy. It is one that is not to be expected to cause lipo to any significant extent, it is easy to take (4 pills/day) and doesn't seem to be causing you any significant side... Read more »

Facial wasting early on HIV

Hi Doctor: I am asking my question here because on your lipodystrophy forum there doesn't seem to be much activity lately. I became HIV + about a year ago, and started meds viramune/3tc/viread about 2 months later. Viral load is <50 and...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Thanks for your post.It's not too common to see lipoatrophy occur so rapidly in persons receiving non-d4T containing treatments like you; however, while unusual, it certainly has been seen and might very well be a possibility. More germain is... Read more »

Wasting early in treatment

My significant other and I have been recently diagnosed with HIV. I have a CD4 of 530 and he has a CD4 of 200. He, moreso than I, is having a hard problem gaining weight and his face is started to look sunken. Is this because of the recent start of...

Response from Gerald Pierone, M.D.

AIDS Research and Treatment Center of the Treasure Coast

Hello and thanks for posting. Clearly, Atripla causes less facial wasting than older NRTI-based regimens. However, it would be overstating things to suggest that Atripla does not cause facial lipoatrophy or wasting. There are also a number of... Read more »

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Wasting Symptoms

Posted by Anonymous

Here it goes, I read on one of the sites sent from this one that one of the first things you notice about HIV+ folks is the loss of fat from the cheek bones, arms, and legs. The video didn't say whether this happens quickly or only after HIV+ folks... Read more »

When to Start Meds

Posted by Survivor, 1 Reply

Starting HIV-Positive Patients on HAART Early Reduces Treatment-Related Complications, Study Finds

February 9, 2006

HIV-positive patients who begin highly active antiretroviral therapy when they have high CD4+ T cell counts reduce their risk for... Read more »

Facial Wasting?

Posted by Anonymous

Please help!! I have been told that there is a wasting condition assicated with HIV. In particular wasting of the face . Is it remotely possible that this wasting can start right away( within 3-4 months of infection) I am scared so far all my test... Read more »

living with facial wasting

Posted by chrisFFF, 1 Reply

Hello,
I wanted to write because I have recently started a website to help people living with facial wasting. Lipoatrophy is a pretty emotional issue to deal with, and I wanted to have a place for people to connect about it and find out how to treat... Read more »

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