Signs Of Wasting Syndrome

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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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signs of wasting in arms, hand, feet

What are the signs of wasting in your extremities(sp?) arms, legs, feet, hands?? i am seeing these dimple (indentations) on my hands & feet plus I have been losing weight since I dropped the Sustiva & started the PI'sThanks for any...

Response from Brian Conway, M.D.

University of British Columbia

Given your advanced immune disease, I would be most concerned about the possibility of something else going on (such as an opportunistic infection)rather than lipodystrophy as a cause for the changes you are seeing. You should talk to your doctor... Read more »

Could this be the first signs of wasting?

I was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in January of 2003. At the time of diagnoses I was hospitalized with a cd4 of 50, viral in the hundred thousands and with PCP. My lowest weight was 137 pounds. I started a drug regime of combivir and sustiva and seem...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

It is fairly common to rapidly gain weight and then lose some of the weight on that regimen even when doing well from the HIV and immune standpoint. An assessment of the distribution of the weight/fat by your HIV doc is important. Optimization of... Read more »

Exercise vs wasting syndrome

I have a question about exercise & nutrition versus wasting syndrome. First my last labs/dr visitwas 1/9 of this year. CD4 was 600, vl undetectable. I am a male, 5'8, slight build and all my adultlife weighed 145 until 5 years ago when I...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Eating healthy/exercising and carrying an appropriate (not excessive) weight makes sense for most patients even in the context of HIV infection. KH... Read more »

Treatment questions for wasting syndrome

I had been diagnosed with AIDS wasting for 3 years now but never knew why except for the symptoms that I was experiencing. My doctor had put me on injections of Testratone and Deca-Doublin every two weeks as well as Oxandrian. My symptoms went away...

Response from Douglas T. Dieterich, M.D.

New York University, School of Medicine

Dear Russell,Before you do anything else, get to see the eye doctor ASAP!Seeing spots can be very dangerous! The kidney problem is an unusual one and not likely to be caused by the medication. You did not mention your T cells and viral load though.... Read more »

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Wasting Worries

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Ok. Haven't had really any "symptoms" of HIV. But, it seems like over the last year since my posible exposure, I have lost mass in my legs and arms while gaining weight at my midsection. My cheeks are sunken in as well.

2 questions.

Is it... Read more »