Anyone else with low t-cells/low viral load?

[MarkInSF]

I was diagnosed with HIV in May 2005 and my first set of labs were 250 t-cells and 4K viral load.  Tested again a month later and I was at 375 t-cells and 3.5k viral load.  Throughout the next series of tests, my t-cells continued to drop and my viral load would stay between 4K and 1K.  My doctor put me on meds when my t-cells dropped to 177 and my viral load went down to 2000.  Im confused why my t-cells drop so low even with a constant low viral load.  Could it be that I have a stronger strain of the virus?  That was one question I forgot to ask my doctor today.  Does anyone else have this issue? 

[Razorbill]

Undetectable VL is the goal of treatment.  Your tcells rebounded a bit then slid, in the presence of a persistant VL.  Your doc put you on treatment probably to zero out the virus so to speak and boost your tcells.  Low tcells in the presence of a VL can spell trouble.

[MarkInSF]

Undetectable VL is the goal of treatment.  Your tcells rebounded a bit then slid, in the presence of a persistant VL.  Your doc put you on treatment probably to zero out the virus so to speak and boost your tcells.  Low tcells in the presence of a VL can spell trouble.

Indeed the meds worked, my t-cells went up to 344 and my viral load down to the 100's.  My main concern is there are people with 100,000+ viral load and maintained a good t-cell count.  Does that mean I have a stronger virus?

[Robert]

Hi Mark.

 My main concern is there are people with 100,000+ viral load and maintained a good t-cell count.  Does that mean I have a stronger virus?
[/quote]

I'm not sure what that means.  It's a good question. I have seen quite a few people with consistently low viral loads, like yours, yet the t-cells still take a dive and medication is mandated.  I like your idea, that the viral load, while not aggressive in numbers, is apparently a particularly virulent one.  Maybe it's the strain.  Apparently, also. not all HIV is same. 

HOw about your CD4 %?  It's important to keep track of those too.  By the way, do you use the "COOL TOOLS" here at Aidsmeds?  It's a great way of keeping track of your numbers.

robert

[MarkInSF]

Robert,

Forgot to ask the doctor about my CD4%, I guess we both were excited after my t-cells have doubled in one month that we forgot to discuss that hehe.  Also, thanks for the tip about "COOL TOOLS," I will definitely use it to keep track of my numbers.

Mark