This booklet covers two problems that you may experience when taking combination therapy: changes in body fat and changes in your metabolism, also known as lipodystrophy. The booklet looks at what may cause or contribute to these changes, what the long-term consequences might be, and what can be done to treat these problems. The first part covers body fat changes and the second part covers metabolic changes, but the two problems often occur together. This booklet is not intended to replace discussion with your doctor about your treatment. However, it may help you to decide what questions to ask about any course of treatment you may be considering.

Acknowledgments

Written by Michael Carter.
Fourth edition 2006

NAM is grateful to the funders of this booklet series:
NHS London HIV Consortium and Elton John AIDS Foundation

Thanks for the assistance of:

• Alastair Duncan, Guys and St Thomas’s Hospital, London
• Dr Jonathan Cartledge, Mortimer Market Centre, London
• Dr Martin Fisher, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton
• Prof Brian Gazzard, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London
• Melissa Irwin, Guys and St Thomas’s Hospital, London
• Dr Graeme Moyle, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London
• Dr Adrian Palfreeman, Medical Research Council, London
• Dr Barry Peters, Guys and St Thomas’s Hospital, London
• Participants in the YMCA Positive Health programme for their comments on an earlier edition of this booklet