POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: Valmont on July 18, 2011, 04:08:21 pm
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Hi all...
I´ve just received my first blood analyses results and I don´t know what to think...
CD4 - 503
VL - 189.000
Hepatitis C - Negative
Well, I feel more relax than last days, I don´t think this is so bad (particularly CD4), but VL is quite high, no?
My doc told me a few weeks ago that only with the second result (in 6 months more), we will take any decision about meds and so on...
Do you think VL can decrease naturally, particularly if I would be just infected a few months ago?
What do you think about that?
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No way. You need to start your meds as quickly as possible.
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Hi all...
I´ve just received my first blood analyses results and I don´t know what to think...
CD4 - 503
VL - 189.000
Hepatitis C - Negative
Well, I feel more relax than last days, I don´t think this is so bad (particularly CD4), but VL is quite high, no?
My doc told me a few weeks ago that only with the second result (in 6 months more), we will take any decision about meds and so on...
Do you think VL can decrease naturally, particularly if I would be just infected a few months ago?
What do you think about that?
Your doctor is right. Understanding your test results is all about understanding trends over time, so a single set of numbers doesn't really mean a lot. You need another set to get any meaningful information. 6 months would seem a little bit distant, I'd prefer another set in at least 3 months.
Did your doctor tell you your CD4 percentage?
MtD
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...
Do you think VL can decrease naturally, particularly if I would be just infected a few months ago?
What do you think about that?
Yes -- the typical pattern is for viral load to go way up after seroconversion and then natually decrease. Then, after a number of years it starts to rise again.
So, if you were recently infected it would be natural for your viral load to fall back down over the next few months.
Not everyone is typical, but you have time to monitor and get a trend.
Be well
A
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Thank you all. No, I don´t have any more results, here for cost reason they only do CD4 and VL (and I´m lucky the analyse equipments are working...), so no % and no CD8 and so on...
And also for cost reasons, next tests will be in 6 months more... I´ll meet my doc only next week...
I believe I could have been infected for just 4 months (there is no way it could have happened before, I think...), but in another way, last year I´ve been incommunly ill many times (worst was a Mononucleosis...)
I´m worried about that because I´m applying to a permanent visa in Canada and I need to demostrate a good health and that I won´t be "costy" for their health system...
Do you think that numbers can really appears in a new contamination? VL seems me very very high in regard with what I could have seen and maby I´ve been contaminated for much time that I thought...
I think I cannot do anything else than waiting for a new result in some months and keeping positive mind...
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Thank you all. No, I don´t have any more results, here for cost reason they only do CD4 and VL (and I´m lucky the analyse equipments are working...), so no % and no CD8 and so on...
And also for cost reasons, next tests will be in 6 months more... I´ll meet my doc only next week...
I believe I could have been infected for just 4 months (there is no way it could have happened before, I think...), but in another way, last year I´ve been incommunly ill many times (worst was a Mononucleosis...)
I´m worried about that because I´m applying to a permanent visa in Canada and I need to demostrate a good health and that I won´t be "costy" for their health system...
Do you think that numbers can really appears in a new contamination? VL seems me very very high in regard with what I could have seen and maby I´ve been contaminated for much time that I thought...
I think I cannot do anything else than waiting for a new result in some months and keeping positive mind...
Val,
Your numbers are fine.
If testing in 6 months is all you have to hand, then that will be fine too. :)
You might want to ask your doctor for your CD4 % because that's the number they use to determine your absolute count.
Srsly, if they know you have 503 CD4 cells, they know your percentage. And the percentage is a stable number, unlike that crazy absolute value.
MtD
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Do you think that numbers can really appears in a new contamination? VL seems me very very high in regard with what I could have seen and maby I´ve been contaminated for much time that I thought...
I think I cannot do anything else than waiting for a new result in some months and keeping positive mind...
It really can be a high viral load at first and then it declines for a long time. Here's a graph of the viral load and tcell counts for a "typical" individual.
(http://uhavax.hartford.edu/bugl/images/HIV-graph.jpg)
And, as the esteemed Matty says, ask them again for your percentage -- they should have it as part of your results -- it is calculated as part of the process of determining your tcell counts.
Be well
A
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It really can be a high viral load at first and then it declines for a long time. Here's a graph of the viral load and tcell counts for a "typical" individual.
(http://uhavax.hartford.edu/bugl/images/HIV-graph.jpg)
And, as the esteemed Matty says, ask them again for your percentage -- they should have it as part of your results -- it is calculated as part of the process of determining your tcell counts.
Be well
A
D00d,
You really need a boyfriend.
Or at least someone who will give you one up the chutney on a semi-regular basis.
MtD
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Well thanks a lot for the info, very usefull. I saw this graphic in the past, but without numbers, I did not know that VL increase so much in the first weeks.
About my %, there is no information on my lab report, so my doc won´t have some more too...
Can you explain me (or putting a link) about % and their interpretation. Is teh proportion between CD4/CD8, right?
I bet next month my VL should decrease and CD4 increase a little... (I hope...)
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Well thanks a lot for the info, very usefull. I saw this graphic in the past, but without numbers, I did not know that VL increase so much in the first weeks.
About my %, there is no information on my lab report, so my doc won´t have some more too...
Can you explain me (or putting a link) about % and their interpretation. Is teh proportion between CD4/CD8, right?
I bet next month my VL should decrease and CD4 increase a little... (I hope...)
No, that's the ratio. Which is useful, sorta.
The CD4 % is pretty much what it claims to be. A reliable count of your CD4 cells as a percentage of your overall lymphocyte count.
So whilst your CD4 count might seem to fluctuate wildly (really it can go nuts) the percentage is generally quite reserved.
And that makes it a trustworthy indicator of your immune system function/status/whatthefuckever.
MtD
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Ok Matt, thanks again... Shit, so strange... There must have a reason why this not appears on my lab results (it can be expensive? I don´t believe...)
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Ok Matt, thanks again... Shit, so strange... There must have a reason why this not appears on my lab results (it can be expensive? I don´t believe...)
Try this link: http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/TCellTest_4727.shtml (http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/TCellTest_4727.shtml)
I know it seems odd, but if your doctor knows your absolute CD4 count he/she should know your percentage.
MtD
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Great and well explained...
My lab result is muuuuuuuuuch more simple that this, only two numbers...
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Great and well explained...
My lab result is muuuuuuuuuch more simple that this, only two numbers...
If you're not able to find out your percentage (and let's face it, shit happens) your absolute CD4 count is still an excellent yardstick.
Above 500? Meds not required.
Below 500 but above 350? Meds not required but you can start them if that's what floats your boat.
Below 350? Start meds. Really.
The latest studies show that there's really no difference between starting meds at 500 and 350.
Or so I'm told.
MtD
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D00d,
You really need a boyfriend.
Or at least someone who will give you one up the chutney on a semi-regular basis.
MtD
Sounds like we have a volunteer.
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Sounds like we have a volunteer.
Well ok, but only if Mooch lends me some of his Cialis.
I'm sure he has plenty to spare. :)
MtD
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Sounds like we have a volunteer.
Nah, he's just showing off his psychic powers.
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Nah, he's just showing off his psychic powers.
So these Cialis, they're suppositories, yes?
Otherwise I've made an awful mess. :-\
MtD
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Hi Valmont,
I think you're in Ecuador (correct?). Here in India also, the Govt hospitals do not give you detailed lab work - just the CD4 count (not even VL count!) and they also only seem to monitor patients every 6 months. (I think its a poor country thing maybe lol)
I went to a private lab (which unlike the Govt Hospital was NOT free) and got my detailed lab work done. It cost a bit more, but its your health and so it is definitely worth it to spend a bit more.
I am sure you could do something similar.
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To get a CD4 count you have to calculate the CD4%, so it must be floating around somewhere, maybe it's just not passed on fro the lab.
What Matty said on counts is good.
A % is really useful to compare to a count to see if they are out of line eg high count/low % and vice versa. If you have just one measurement (% or count), it will do good enough.
- matt
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Yes, I´m in Ecuador... Well, let´s see what doc will say. I know the medic that signed lab report, maybe he can help me with %...
About other kind of analyses (very expensive here) I prefer to wait a little, I prefer keeping my money for better medecines in the case I ´ll have to take some, than to analyses...
I received news from the doc that tell me we should wait 3 to 6 months to a second examen.
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When first infected your counts go skyhigh but without meds you will just get worse. Talk to your doctor and if he says its time than listen to him. We are so fortunate to have access to drugs. Not like in Africa where they would give there right arm for meds.
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Thank you all. No, I don´t have any more results, here for cost reason they only do CD4 and VL (and I´m lucky the analyse equipments are working...), so no % and no CD8 and so on...
And also for cost reasons, next tests will be in 6 months more... I´ll meet my doc only next week...
I believe I could have been infected for just 4 months (there is no way it could have happened before, I think...), but in another way, last year I´ve been incommunly ill many times (worst was a Mononucleosis...)
I´m worried about that because I´m applying to a permanent visa in Canada and I need to demostrate a good health and that I won´t be "costy" for their health system...
I live in Canada and if you can move to Ontario our health care is free. You go on disability. Takes a month to get it. They cover ALL drugs. So moving here is a great choice to make. Its also a great place to live. Good luck getting moved here.
Do you think that numbers can really appears in a new contamination? VL seems me very very high in regard with what I could have seen and maby I´ve been contaminated for much time that I thought...
I think I cannot do anything else than waiting for a new result in some months and keeping positive mind...
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[quote author=BJS2011
I live in Canada and if you can move to Ontario our health care is free. You go on disability. Takes a month to get it. They cover ALL drugs. So moving here is a great choice to make. Its also a great place to live. Good luck getting moved here.
]
[/quote]
The matter is to obtain the visa... Particularly, there are some health requerements to enter in Canada as a permanent resident... What is evaluated is the postulent health cost for Canada system. It will always be better for me (or anyone that applies) in that case not to receive treatment...
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When first infected your counts go skyhigh but without meds you will just get worse.
That's not entirely correct. While it's true that during initial infection (say 0-6 months, possibly a few months longer) the VL can be very high, it will come down on it's own for the majority of people. I've been poz for fourteen years and I'm still not on meds and my VL has remained low (between 7,000ish and 35,000ish). I have no idea what it was in the first few months, but I'd bet my house it was sky-high.
It's also possible that your CD4 count could go up. As others have mentioned, it would be useful to know your CD4% and worth tracking it down.
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Thank you Ann... About my CD% no way I can get them from the lab, I did not even understand why (the reason are not very clear) but they don´t give this result. I will talk about that to my doc soon...
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I have some other results, from another lab...
Linfocitos %: 47,6% I don´t believe it is the same than CD4%, right? Anyway, as my Leucocitos are in the normal range, I should think that every thing is going right, or not?...
Really, last blood examens (hematology) seems me really good, everything is in normal range and cholesterol and glicemia have never been so low (but normal ...)...
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Your not on meds Ann - after more than 1
4 years!!!!!
You are so very lucky. So envy you
I found out i was Poz and in less than 2 months I, and my husband whose CD4 count was found to be 8, and mine less than 150
We were on meds - Atripla
And I assure you that while it is not possible to be absolutely sure I am pretty certain my husband acquired HIV in 2003 and I shortly after and we first noticed real symptoms in November 2005- thrush , diarrhoea , repeated unexplained infections and diagnosed for certain in Feb 2007.
By which time my husband had PCP and was close to death and while with treatment and HAART he did recover ( although he now has cancer and I have Avascula Necrosis and due ti have my wrist fused i=on the 28th August , both of which could be due to HIV , but who knows??)
All I know is if you are 14 years into being HIV Poz .........and not had any great health consequences then that seems wonderful to me .
Maybe its our age - now 58 and 59, 55 -56 when diagnosed probably 50 - 51 when we acquired HIV - but I assure you that the graph above was not so for us >>Not at all.
We had less than 3 years form infection before we both began to get ill.
Maybe its our age = both in our 50s when we acquired HIV , or someting else??
Bu we did not have the years that some have.
It has all been such a shock. To find out you both have HIV, then shortly afterwards to have to start on meds
And everythign at once .
But if my CD4 count had been above 350 I woudl not have worried . At this count you have time .
We ddi not have any time
Love to you
Veritee
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I´ve been to my doc today, everything´s very good, all my analyzes and results are ok... Doc thinks my VL is from a recent infection and will decrease... As I´ve never smoked, made a lot of sport and eaten heathly, avoided alcohol, this does not means many changes or sacrifices in my daylife.
I´ll have to wait for lab analizes on december and next meeting on January, happy Christmas...
These are very very good news for me, and make me feel even better... For now, I don´t want to think a lot about that, don´t want to tell to more people or family.