The latest side effect being reported with HIV drug combinations is a disturbance in how the body processes and absorbs fats. The technical term is lipodystrophy . The symptoms can include high levels of a type of fat called cholesterol, and other fats known as triglycerides. Other symptoms are a swollen belly, big breasts, loss of weight in the face, and loss of fatty tissue in the arms and legs. In a few cases, high levels of fats in the blood have caused heart problems because of fat build up in the coronary arteries.
Many doctors now recommend regular use of a test that measures how much fat is in the blood.
The test is called a fasting lipid test. The test should be done before starting HIV treatment, and at least every three months afterwards. Lipodystrophy is also associated with high blood sugar and, more rarely, diabetes. Symptoms to watch out for include increased thirst and hunger, unexplained weight loss, increased urination, fatigue, and dry, itchy skin. GTT measures the ability of the body to process sugars properly.