Trend observed in the rate of average decline/ increase VL / CD4

[optimistic_path]

I' m 30 years old guy from India,  I was tested HIV positive on 17th March, 2010. I got my numbers on 26th March, 2010.

CD4 count : 752,
CD4 percentage : 29% 
Viral Load : 10,244

My doctor told me there is no need to have any medication at this time and he has just given me multivitamin tablets to be taken twice a day.

As on November 4, 2011, I have not got my numbers again after the lab tests on 26th March, 2010.

Just wanted to understand, is there any trend observed in the rate of average decline/ increase per year with regards to viral load / cd4 count in people infected with hiv ?

[Ann]

Hi OP, welcome to the forums.

You need to get more labs done. Everyone's body deals with hiv differently so you can't go by what is put about as the "average" progression.

Your body could still be dealing with the virus very well and your numbers could still be good. However, they could also be bad now - you'll never know until you get more labs done.

You should be having labs done at least four times a year (every three months) while not on meds. This is very important. If you're not monitoring your numbers regularly, you could end up with very low CD4s and in danger of becoming very ill. If you do monitor your numbers regularly, you could start meds before your numbers drop too low.

Please, PLEASE get a current set of labs done so you know where you and your virus are at. I cannot stress how important this is!

Ann

[TexasPOZ]

Hi optimistic, great user name by the way. I agree with Ann, you need to get labwork done regularly. With this disease there is no such thing as average. Your doctor was right, you didn't need to be on meds in 2010, but now it's way over a year later and you need to know what the virus is doing to you now. Get those labs checked and let us know how you're doing. Best wishes.

[spacebarsux]

Hey optimistic,

Yep, you should monitor your lab numbers every 3-4 months when not on treatment. From what I have seen (and read) doctors in India seem pretty reluctant to put people on treatment until their CD4 drops to 350.

I am in India too. If you wanna discuss anything privately send me a private message, I'd be happy to discuss whatever. The PM function gets activated after you post 3 posts I think (?)

Best.