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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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