HIV and Lipodystrophy
Key Points
- Lipodystrophy refers to the changes in body fat that can affect some people with HIV.
- Lipodystrophy can include buildup of body fat, loss of body fat, or both.
- Lipodystrophy may be due to HIV infection or medicines used to treat HIV. Newer HIV medicines are less likely to cause lipodystrophy than HIV medicines developed in the past.
- Lipodystrophy will not be a concern for most people who start HIV treatment now.
What is lipodystrophy?
Lipodystrophy refers to the changes in body fat that can affect some people with HIV. Lipodystrophy can include buildup of body fat, loss of body fat, or both.
Fat buildup (also called lipohypertrophy) can occur:- Around the organs in the abdomen
- On the back of the neck between the shoulders (called a buffalo hump)
- In the breasts
- In the arms and legs
- In the buttocks
- In the face
What causes lipodystrophy?
Lipodystrophy may be due to HIV infection or medicines used to treat HIV. Newer HIV medicines are less likely to cause lipodystrophy than HIV medicines developed in the past.
Lipodystrophy will not be a concern for most people who start HIV treatment now.
How is lipodystrophy treated?
There are ways to manage lipodystrophy. Making dietary changes and getting regular exercise may help to build muscle and reduce abdominal fat.
Liposuction (surgical removal of fat) and injectable facial fillers are sometimes used to treat lipodystrophy. There are also medicines that may help lessen the effects of lipodystrophy.
This fact sheet is based on information from the following sources:
- From the Department of Health and Human Services: Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents with HIV: Adverse Effects of Antiretroviral Agents
- From the Department of Veterans Affairs: FAQ: Will HIV medicines cause changes to your fat and stomach?
- From the Health Resources and Services Administration: Guide for HIV/AIDS Clinical Care: Abnormalities of Body-Fat Distribution