Dip in CD4 cells on Atripla?

[dowellndoubtnot]

Hello all, my bf got his results back from his test after being on atripla for almost a year now I believe. Up until now, his CD4 count has been steadily rising each doctors visit.

This last test, his CD4 count fell to 540 from 680 (these are estimates, I don't remember the exact numbers) the month before. The doctor said it is not a big deal and that he shouldn't worry about it, and that it is normal for them to bounce around. For the record he is still undetectable and has been since his first lab results after starting Atripla.

I was just wanting confirmation on whether this is anything to be worried about at all? Or if it is just totally normal? I do trust his doctor, but still some more confirmation and other opinions are always good to hear. Thanks.

[buginme2]

The doctor said it is not a big deal and that he shouldn't worry about it, and that it is normal for them to bounce around.

Re read that then turn the computer off and go do something productive

[dowellndoubtnot]

I have always thought that no one doctors opinion should be taken by gospel...so I thought that despite my trust in this doctor, this would be a good place to confirm what he said to be true...to me that is quite productive.

[Stlguy1976]

Agree with bug...this is one lab result...he is still UD which is prob more important....don't think you can get to worried at this point....one data point does not show any trend

[Ann]

The most important thing when on treatment is that the VL remains undetectable.

The only time the CD4 is particularly important (when on treatment with an UD VL) is if it is persistently below 200 - and it's important then because a CD4 below 200 indicates the need for prophylactic antibiotics to guard against OIs. This obviously is not a concern for your boyfriend.

His doctor was absolutely correct when he said the small drop is nothing to worry about and CD4 counts bounce around. In fact, they can differ by as much as 100 points during the course of a single day.

You may benefit from reading through the lesson CD4 Cell Tests found in the Lessons section of this website. In that lesson, you'll find a discussion about CD4%, which is usually a more stable number.

Chances are excellent that your boyfriend's CD4% has remained at the same number, or even gone higher despite the seeming dip in the absolute CD4 number. See if you can't find out what kind of trend his CD4% has shown. A trend is not one or two results, it's at least three in a row, but the more results you have to hand, the more informative it will be trend-wise.

Re read that then turn the computer off and go do something productive

Bugs, do you really need to be so abrasive to someone who is only trying to gain a better understanding of what the numbers mean? If you cannot add something useful to a discussion like this, maybe you shouldn't bother adding anything at all. Your reply was condescension personified.