Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Op-Ed

On taking supplements for overall muscle gain purposes as a PLHIV

A Filipino living with HIV wants to know if it is safe for a PLHIV to take testosterone supplements (for overall muscle gain purposes), and Dr. Jose Narciso Melchor Sescon responds.

Published

Dr. Jose Narciso Melchor Sescon – president of the AIDS Society of the Philippines and current Chief of Clinics of Sta. Ana Hospital – answers all your HIV-related inquiries. For all your questions, email josescon1@gmail.com or info@outragemag.com.

Dear Doc,

Good morning!

Is it safe for a PLHIV to take testosterone supplements (for overall muscle gain purposes)?

Appreciate your response.

Regards,
Mr. Superbod

 

Thanks for your letter.

We already earlier discussed taking whey proteins as food supplement for people living with HIV.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

But let me reiterate that there are a lot of considerations to be looked at by your personal doctor before he/she can prescribe supplements for you. This is because what is taken needs to be customized to the health needs of the patient since his/her HIV status is not the only concern. Your doctor also has to check blood levels, renal and liver issues, and so on.

As such, a face-to-face professional medical consultation is needed.

In this article:, , , , , , , ,
Written By

Fondly called Jojo, Jose Narciso Melchor Sescon is a medical doctor with specialization in obstetrics and gynecology. Spending much of his time in public health services with focus on HIV and AIDS, STI, and sexual and reproductive health, Jojo wears multiple hats, blending public health advocacy and clinical-cum-administrative work. For 12 years, he served as the Executive Director of Remedios AIDS Foundation, the pioneering AIDS service organization in the Philippines. Then in 2008, he assumed the presidency of the AIDS Society of the Philippines, which he still heads now. Jojo is also the current Chief of Clinics of Sta. Ana Hospital, and has held regional and local consultancy works for development agencies. Jojo is a self-confessed lacto-vegetarian, a raja yoga meditation practitioner, and a health/wellness buff. He also loves to share his thoughts and reflections based on learned skills/competencies and experiences. This soft-spoken soul loves taking on new initiatives/roles, and loves to talk with people about spirituality and good health.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Like Us On Facebook

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

POZ

HIV injections work better than tablets for young people

Injections were found to be more effective at keeping the virus suppressed than the tablets, so efforts should be made to make this treatment...

3 days ago

Features

Right to care ordinance passed in Northern Samar, allows LGBTQIA+ people to make medical decisions for partners

The Northern Samar provincial board passed a Right to Care ordinance to allow adults to legally designate any person who is not related to...

3 days ago

NEWSMAKERS

LGBTQIA+ org Bahaghari demands accountability from corrupt politicians

Bahaghari joined the 54th Martial Law Commemoration in Liwasang Bonifacio in the City of Manila with a demand for "greater accountability from those in...

3 days ago

Travel

Hold that thought of visiting San Pablo City’s Pho Viet Nam

When we came across Facebook posts on Pho Viet Nam in San Pablo City in Laguna, we expected to encounter what was experienced in...

Sep 17, 2026
Advertisement