Building your body to survive: the use of anabolic steroids for HIV therapy.

Posit Aware. 1998 Mar-Apr;9(2):37-41.

Building your body to survive: the use of anabolic steroids for HIV therapy.

Vergel N.

AIDS: The loss of lean body mass (LBM) that is commonly associated with wasting
syndrome has been linked to death in HIV disease. Bioelectrical Impedance
Analysis (BIA) is a simple, inexpensive and painless technique used to assess
body composition. The test gives a good reading of body cell mass, fat mass, and
body water, and can be used to detect loss of LBM when it first occurs. BIA is a
useful tool in managing and preventing wasting. Other factors that influence LBM
include testosterone levels and anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids, synthetic
analogs of testosterone, are a Class III regulated drug. The use of anabolic
steroids is controversial, and abuse by athletes led to the drugs being banned
for many uses. A list of approved steroids, their actions, and potential problems
associated with their use is included. Another table rates the major steroids for
their effectiveness in AIDS therapy.