Anabolic steroid treatment in people with HIV
The anabolic steroids have been studied as a treatment for AIDS wasting, and have been shown to be safe and effective, helping the formation of lean muscle mass. To be most effective, anabolic steroid treatment should be combined with a program of resistance training.
Studies have been restricted to men because of concerns about the side-effects of steroid treatment for women.
There have been concerns that the use of anabolic steroids can depress the immune system. This has not been looked at in any great detail. The only study to examine this found that neither CD4 nor CD8 cell count were lowered in HIV-positive men with AIDS wasting treated with anabolic steroids.
Testosterone replacement therapy in people with HIV
It is estimated that as many as 40% of HIV-positive men who are ill because of HIV have low levels of testosterone (hypgonadism). Low testosterone can result in decreased appetite, depression, poor metabolism of food, and sexual problems, including the inability to obtain and maintain an erection.