Questions about blood tests etc..

[pozoz]

Greetings All,

I'm going in for bloods in a few days.

It's been 3 months since I've started meds.

I had cd4's and VL and a couple of other things tested a month after starting, and the results of those tests looked pretty good, although I had some concerns about kidney health as creatine levels were a bit elevated.

I've been compiling a list of things I think I need to get tested, and just wanted some feedback to see if I'm missing anything important.

This is my list of the things I want to know. I'm sure some of them will be done as a matter of routine, but I'll include them anyway.

CD 4, CD %, VL

Kidney/Liver/Spleen/Gallbladder

LDL, HDL

CRP and CK Inflammation markers

Full blood count.

Also, as my libido seems to have all but vanished since starting meds, I think I'll ask to get testosterone levels checked also.

While I'm there, I think I better get a PSA baseline done, as I've never had one and I'm in my early 40's, and the last smear I had done a few years ago showed some "abnormal cells" so yea, this is something I'd hate to find out later I could have done something about if the dreaded "C " word gets raised again.

Last time I saw this Doctor I asked for a mild sedative, and I really felt that because he is fully aware of my past amphetamine use, that he immediately thought I wanted them for recreational use. I've told him I stopped doing it (which I have, I got HIV from being so stupid and sharing spoons and who knows what else when I was whacked out of my mind) but I think after reading my file (I was honest) he automatically labeled me. But I still want something for anxiety and the occasional sleepless night and I can't get it...I think he mentioned counselling.....which I don't feel I need. Sorry, got a bit off track there....

Have I covered the basics here? Anything else I should ask about also?

My Doctor talks very fast and is usually in a rush, so I thought if I come prepared a bit better with my list, it might help.

Thanks  

*Edited to add- "I got HIV from being so stupid and sharing spoons and who knows what else when I was whacked out of my mind) and whilst high the alarm bells were turned off and, well also unsafe sex happened too, so could have been either the drugs/needles/shared spoons etc, or the crazy sex that happened after for a 2 year period of partying I went through. It's happened, I accept it was my fault, I'm only human, I fucked up...

[Ann]

*Edited to add- "I got HIV from being so stupid and sharing spoons and who knows what else when I was whacked out of my mind) and whilst high the alarm bells were turned off and, well also unsafe sex happened too, so could have been either the drugs/needles/shared spoons etc, or the crazy sex that happened after for a 2 year period of partying I went through. It's happened, I accept it was my fault, I'm only human, I fucked up...

Have you ever been screened for hep C? You're a lot more likely to get that than hiv from sharing injecting equipment.

If you don't have a GP who takes care of your general needs, maybe it's time to get one and get your anti-anxiety type meds from him.

[Inchlingblue]

I recommend getting TSH levels checked, this will tell you if your thyroid hormone levels are normal.

[pozoz]

Have you ever been screened for hep C? You're a lot more likely to get that than HIV from sharing injecting equipment.

If you don't have a GP who takes care of your general needs, maybe it's time to get one and get your anti-anxiety type meds from him.

Yes, been screened for Hep C, had Hep A vaccine, and Had Heb B a few years ago, so have antibodies and from my understanding am now basically immune from catching it again.

Still amazes me that Hep A & B is not part of normal childhood vaccinations in some countries still, but that's another story.

My GP is also my HIV doctor. He's basically a GP who also specialises in HIV.

Thanks IB, will ask about TSH as well, thank you.

Thanks, and sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum...Cheers...

[eric48]

get you vitamin D level dosed. most of us have a very low level ; that is easily corrected and should be taken care of asap if required. Cheers Eric

[pozoz]

Thanks eric,

I've added that to my list.

Cheers....

[newt]

I'd also want albumin, platlets (part of full blood count), urine test for protein if on tenofovir (as first indicator of good/bad kidney function), syphilis if you are sexually active in a wide ranging way (cos it's really nasty for your CD4s) every time.

Total cholesterol/HDL ratio (calculated value, the important result this one, fasting or non-fasting, indicator of heart health), bone chemistry (standard blood draw, indicator of bone health), blood glucose (standard blood draw, indicator of insulin resistance), blood pressure (pumped by machine, an indicator of heart and kidney function), body mass index or hip/waist ratio (simple, calculated value, indicator of risk of insulin resistance etc) once a year.

Hep A and B vaccinations are deffo worth having, as is an annual hep C test if appropriate (ie risk has been present).

If feeling tired, maybe testosterone and thyroid.

Doctors who ask about mood, sleeping etc are rare but worth their weight in gold.

- matt

[pozoz]

Thanks for that Matt,

Great information.

Cheers.....