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Does HIV Cause Weight Loss?
Question: I would like to resubmit my question that was sent to Dr. Shafi Ullah XXXXXXX to another doctor for a second opinion.
For the past couple of years people have been commenting that I've "lost a lot of weight" despite the fact that I don't exercise or diet. I've weighed the same (185lbs) all this time. In fact, even if I gain more weight, my face, neck, and upper chest have sagged, and lost collagen and muscle tone. In my opinion I look sick but I feel fine. By the way I'm 50 years old. I have friends who are older that actually look like they have gained a little weight. I've had high risk encounters, but nothing anal. I've been tested for HIV and other STDS and they've all come back negative. Back in 2005 I was hospitalized for a swollen knee and had a tap done. The doctor found "crystals" and asked if I was sexually active and I said "no" (which was true at that time, although I had had a high risk encounter 10 years earlier). I've read that some STDs hibernate for 10 or more years. My STD tests indicated the presence of "mucus threads." I have been to an oncologist and he said my blood samples are fine. What other thing can be causing this "wasting away" appearance? I think I'm becoming the "incredible shrinking head." XXXXXXX
For the past couple of years people have been commenting that I've "lost a lot of weight" despite the fact that I don't exercise or diet. I've weighed the same (185lbs) all this time. In fact, even if I gain more weight, my face, neck, and upper chest have sagged, and lost collagen and muscle tone. In my opinion I look sick but I feel fine. By the way I'm 50 years old. I have friends who are older that actually look like they have gained a little weight. I've had high risk encounters, but nothing anal. I've been tested for HIV and other STDS and they've all come back negative. Back in 2005 I was hospitalized for a swollen knee and had a tap done. The doctor found "crystals" and asked if I was sexually active and I said "no" (which was true at that time, although I had had a high risk encounter 10 years earlier). I've read that some STDs hibernate for 10 or more years. My STD tests indicated the presence of "mucus threads." I have been to an oncologist and he said my blood samples are fine. What other thing can be causing this "wasting away" appearance? I think I'm becoming the "incredible shrinking head." XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
Your concern is that you look as though you have lost weight but actually you have lost none.
HIV leads to actual weight loss and there is condition known as AIDS related lipodystrophy/body fat redistribution that occurs in HIV positive patients being treated with Antiretroviral medications. But that is not the case with you.
Neither of the other STDs can lead to this kind of clinical presentation.
Presence of mucus threads is quite normal and they are just normal secretions of the genitourinary tract.
I think that the sagging and wrinkled appearance is part of natural ageing coupled with photoageing, due to cummulative sun exposure over the years.
By the way significant weight loss (>10% of body weight) in middle age should be investigated because malignancies do come into picture. That part has been taken care of by oncologist.
Since you have'nt lost any weight actually, therefore you have nothing to worry about. I think the sagging is part of normal ageing and photoageing.
Lastly, I would say that exercising would be the only thing that I would suggest in your case. Regular exercising in the form of walking, jogging, cycling, swimming etc keeps one fit and active, tones up body and is a good measure to keep weight under control. Those who exercise regularly (e.g athletes) have a lower heart rate as compared to those who don't.
Hope this helps
Regards
Nothing to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
Your concern is that you look as though you have lost weight but actually you have lost none.
HIV leads to actual weight loss and there is condition known as AIDS related lipodystrophy/body fat redistribution that occurs in HIV positive patients being treated with Antiretroviral medications. But that is not the case with you.
Neither of the other STDs can lead to this kind of clinical presentation.
Presence of mucus threads is quite normal and they are just normal secretions of the genitourinary tract.
I think that the sagging and wrinkled appearance is part of natural ageing coupled with photoageing, due to cummulative sun exposure over the years.
By the way significant weight loss (>10% of body weight) in middle age should be investigated because malignancies do come into picture. That part has been taken care of by oncologist.
Since you have'nt lost any weight actually, therefore you have nothing to worry about. I think the sagging is part of normal ageing and photoageing.
Lastly, I would say that exercising would be the only thing that I would suggest in your case. Regular exercising in the form of walking, jogging, cycling, swimming etc keeps one fit and active, tones up body and is a good measure to keep weight under control. Those who exercise regularly (e.g athletes) have a lower heart rate as compared to those who don't.
Hope this helps
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for clearing things up.
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting your query on healthcaremagic
Regards
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting your query on healthcaremagic
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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