People with HIV disease value most the anabolic effects of steroids, since they have undergone metabolic changes that can potentially lead to wasting, and these steroids may reverse those metabolic changes. Marijuana, methadone and alcohol are all proven to decrease testosterone levels as well. Some may be impotent, and many will exhibit lowered rates of spermatogenesis. The cheapest and most accurate tests are the serum free and total testosterone level tests. It is also useful to measure testosterone levels at the same time of day, since the levels naturally vary over 24 hours.
Low replacement doses administered on an uninterrupted schedule are probably quite safe.
Weight loss is not a completely accurate measure of wasting. Much of HIV disease related weight loss is due to cachexia, a process whereby the immune system dysfunction causes the body to skip the part of normal metabolism that spends body fat and heads for muscle mass depletion for the protein that is needed to combat infection. Anabolic steroids may address the problem of dysfunctional metabolism, but they do not stop or treat opportunistic infections. The most favored steroids are the ones that are safest and most effective. These are toxic to the liver.