Odd CD4 Trend

[Kardean]

Been POZ for five years now and still not under ART.  As would be expected, my absolute count has slowly decreased, however my percentage has always remained high (between 48-56%).   My latest labs have my absolute at 754 and the highest percentage ever at 56.  My doctor doesn't seem to understand of give any explanation as to how or why I've maintain such high percent.  He only says it's a good thing.

Anyhow, as I near my benchmark of 600 to begin treatment, I'm wandering whether to rely on the absolute or the percentage as an overall indicator of my immune integrity.

Has anyone else experienced this oddity?  Does anyone have any explanation as to my trends?

[eric48]

Reasonnable BM to start meds: 350 in the UK, I think

If you are HLA 57 ?? Positive , that would explain it

This helped ?

Mobile.eric

[Kardean]

Thanks Eric for the reply.  I soon started thinking I might be one of those types but never been tested for proof.  What test would that HLA 57 come under?  If it is under resistence testing it would explain why we wouldn't know.  Not gotten that far yet.

[BT65]

Reasonnable BM to start meds: 350 in the UK, I think

If you are HLA 57 ?? Positive , that would explain it

This helped ?

Mobile.eric

Eric, you need to stop this incessant posting now.  You've already been warned.  Consider yourself double-warned, bordering on a time out.

[BT65]

Kardean,
The percentage gives a very good picture of how your immune system it acting, but your CD4's are still good. 

You could be a non-progressor, which means simply that your immune system could fight the virus on its own for some years.  Regular monitoring of your Cd4's and VL should be adequate to gauge when to being treatment.

As long as you have a good relationship with your doctor, I wouldn't be concerned.  I would ask him any questions you have.  Write them down on paper to take to your appointment, I do. Don't get stressed.  You're fine.

Betty

[Kardean]

Thanks BT65!
Yes... after the first few tests I started thinking I might be a slow progressor.  I just never seen anyone's CD4 and % be like mine.

So I guess I still need to rely on just the CD4 count and VL to make my treatment decision regardless of percentages.  I was just hoping I guess.

I may end up starting ART sooner than I wanted anyway.  Although I never had any hiv symptoms or illnesses (not even seroconversion, yeah I knew when), I have of late been experiencing the most unlikely one which surprises me since my numbers are still darn good.

I've lost like 14lbs. in the past 2 months for no apparent reason but what is more concerning is the loss of muscle mass which of course is not only unsightly, but causing weakness and some mild aches and pains when over exerting.  I can't exactly call it the proverbial "wasting syndrome" since there is no fever or diarrhea (actually I'm constipated), I guess I can't even do this one by the book either.  lol

My doctor.... well I'm not impressed, but I don't have a lot of options there since I live in a very rural area and there aren't many ID's within reason.

I'm sorry for the long reply and probably more info than you or anyone cares for, but just know I appreciate your time to reply on my post.

[Ann]

Hi Kardean, welcome to the forums.

I've lost like 14lbs. in the past 2 months for no apparent reason but what is more concerning is the loss of muscle mass which of course is not only unsightly, but causing weakness and some mild aches and pains when over exerting.  I can't exactly call it the proverbial "wasting syndrome" since there is no fever or diarrhea (actually I'm constipated), I guess I can't even do this one by the book either.  lol

You do realise, don't you, that there are other illnesses that can cause your symptoms? I don't want to alarm you, but colon cancer immediately springs to mind.

Just because you have hiv - a virus your body is coping well with - doesn't mean that you can't have something else totally unrelated going on.

If your ID doctor isn't investigating the cause of your problems, then you need to find a doctor who will. Explain that your body is coping well with the hiv, but you're having the symptoms you listed above. A GP will do, and he or she can refer you on to the appropriate specialist if necessary. If I were you, I'd make an appointment ASAP. Better safe than sorry.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Kardean]

Yes I know Ann, but you know how we tend to attribute every little abnormality to the bugger.....  much as my doctor tends to attribute my health concerns to my stress/anxiety issues. 

I realize that stress and anxiety can cause weight loss along with many other things, but I don't think it can cause muscle loss.  I'm not sure if colon cancer does either, but I do have some family history of it and due for a colonoscopy next summer.

Not sure how we got off the original subject of my post (me bad), but I really do appreciate your comment.  I was just looking at my doctor's print of my CD4 graph and it just doesn't make sense.  CD4 line decreasing and Percentage line increasing.

My mind keeps repeating this....  The GOOD, The BAD, The WTF

Again thanks Ann and hope you are having a terrific weekend!