Good news labs and kidneys

[Cojo]

l am thrilled with my lab results today as I finally hit 500 in the CD4 count. I was quite anxious when my last labs dropped from 450 to 310, but with an afternoon blood draw and more rest, 500 was todays number. I am so relieved to hit clinical " normal ".

In my 500 blissful fog, my doc mentioned something about kidney functioning. I am on Truvada and isentress in year two.

He said my numbers have gone from 78 to 91 to 110. He said kivexa could be an option for me if we need to go there. He said these numbers will often peak and then stabilize. Any idea what he is talking about??

[buginme2]

Any idea what he is talking about??

Tenofovir (one of the two drugs in Truvada) can be associated with an increased risk of Kidney Disease.  Kidney Disease can be monitored by your Creatinine levels.  Since your Creatinine levels have been increasing it shows that your Kidney function may be decreasing.

Switching you off Tenofovir can stop further damage.  When this happens it is common to replace Truvada with Kivexa (Epzicom in the U.S.).  You will need a blood test to make sure you can take Kivexa before it is prescribed to you.

[Cojo]

Thanks for your reply Bug. I knew that Tenofovir had that potential from reading through the forums here. What I am not certain about is what the numbers that my doc gave me; I have no context for them like I would for a CD4 count for example. I don't know hat the ranges are.

[GSOgymrat]

My PCP sent me to a nephrologist last month due to elevated creatinine.  Normal range is 0.6 - 1.3 and mine is 1.5. Long story short, after various tests the only thing that indicates something is wrong with my kidneys is the creatinine level, which has been elevated for at least 8 years and has actually gone down a bit. The nephrologist is attributing this elevated level to my muscle mass and side effects from my HIV meds. He recommended continued monitoring, do not change my meds and don't take NSAIDs on a regular basis.

Congrats on your labs!