Good result with Complera after 1 month

[tealeaf]

I got my result back today:

CD4: 521, 31% compared to 367 18% a month ago
VL: 226 compared to 27000 (27k)

CD8 % is 44 and flagged as high, normal range is 12-42%. I might have had an infection around the test time?

Kidney and liver function so far so good.

As far as my other nemesis, the Hep B virus, it's also gone down from 400 copies/mL to <116 copies/mL. Tenofovir component from Complera is killing that those damn virus also.

I'd drink to those results if I weren't Asian, lacking booze enzyme and it's hard on my liver.

T.

[forrest]

... if I weren't Asian, lacking booze enzyme ...

Glad to see you are having good results from Complera.  That is what I am looking at going on as well when I start. 

But, I gotta ask...    really?  Do Asians really lack an enzyme? Or am I just being gullible?   

[tealeaf]

Not all Asians but it's quite common. That's why we blush and get red chest after drinking. In my case, I actually have a genetic profile on 23andme.com to confirm

[eric48]

I might have had an infection around the test time?

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Yes, you do have an infection, even now... that one (which we have in common) typically inverses the ratio CD4 /CD8.

It is the most common case among uninfected people that they have more CD4s than CD8. With THE infection, CD4 gets depleted and therefore, all, other things considered, CD8, are relatively more many.

To give you an idea, in most countries in the world, at peace with their neighboors, the government employs more policemen than armymen , unless their is a draft or a war.

The war that was ragging in your immune system will cool down.

Resuming a more 'normal' CD8 is not considered clinically relevant, generally speaking, although, many people will consider this as a further sign of optimal treatment success.

Resuming a 'normal' CD4/CD8 of 1 or higher is achieved by about 10% of people under HAART (according to a recent Canadian report). the 90% others are doing fine nonetheless, so you should not worry about that...

The dynamics of CD8 is different that that of CD4, as they have a longer half life.

Getting down from 27k to 200 is very encouraging and with the frame of anti viral treatment.

Treatment target is to achieve UD (defined usually as <50) within a time frame that may differ , but typically 6 months to 12 month. Once you get there (but not until then) virological 'success' can be declared.

 this is achieved by about 80 % (this number is biased by medication/resistance, adherence, Adverse side effects, etc....) of patients on their first regimen.

About 80% of these 80% (this number is biased by medication/resistance, adherence, Adverse side effects, etc....) will be able to maintain virologic control on the long run, with their initial combo. If not, they switch and should be doing fine.

Things seem t be going i the good direction!

Cheers

Eric

[forrest]

I actually have a genetic profile on 23andme.com to confirm

Oh wow. I know this is not your main question/topic, but that is very interesting. Did not know that existed.  Are you glad you paid for it? Is it totally reliable? Is it really detailed? I am tempted to do that actually is why I ask.  Eric had a nice response to your original - I'm still learning everything myself too. 

[tealeaf]

Those are great info Eric, thanks for taking the time to reply. I've definitely learned something new.

@forrest, The reports are very detailed. You can get samples here https://www.23andme.com/health/all/  You could also sign up for a demo to browse through a sample account. It's worth it for me since I know what to watch out for regarding testing for certain diseases that I'm prone to.

[Camcam87]

Hello everyone I am new to all of this forum stuff I tested positive recently and started treatment right away. I have been on complera for 5 weeks and will go in for blood examination next Tuesday I am excited and scared at the same time I am really hoping and praying that complera has been effective for me just as it has for you all. Does anyone have any advice for staying healthy and energized? Things that will keep my T cells up? I do yoga, although I have been slacking on that the past few weeks. Me and my partner went and had relaxing massages, which we plan to do more of....any ideas.