HIV and Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is very common among the general population, hence patients with HIV may also develop diabetes.
Studies have found that people living with HIV who take
antiretroviral medications
may be at greater risk for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can be present with no symptoms for years.
If the person is co-infected with hepatitis C, the risk appears to be greater. For a person living with HIV, body weight and family history are also considered possible risk factors.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly. Common symptoms include a thirst that you cannot seem to quench, blurred vision, and the need to urinate constantly.
Diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise, and medication. If left untreated, diabetes may lead to other more serious conditions, such as heart disease - a key reason why it is so important to have routine blood tests if you are HIV-positive. These tests include liver function tests, which can assess the presence of liver damage (a possible factor in HIV-related diabetes) and a glucose test to assess whether you may develop, or in fact have, diabetes.
Talk with your doctor about your risk for diabetes. Some of the common risk factors include being overweight, family history, race (Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians and Asian Americans) and older age.
