Low Iron Levels Are Not Unusual

Iron deficiency is a common condition among HIV-positive adults, even those taking antiretroviral drugs, according to an analysis of micronutrient research published in the journal AIDS. One study, which examined levels of micronutrients in HIV-positive adults both before and after the initiation of combination therapy, showed that while treatment helped improve low iron levels, it didn't completely eliminate the problem. About 19% of the study subjects were shown to have pretreatment low iron levels, as defined by less than 11 micromoles per liter of blood. After three years, during which time more than three quarters of the study participants began taking anti-HIV drugs, iron deficiency was detected in about 13% of the subjects.