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Author Topic: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!  (Read 6532 times)

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Offline Rasheen

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  • Posts: 36
 I went to my primary physician and she has been ordering my labs for me because my HMO stinks and they have neglected to process authorization for me to see an Infectious Disease doctor since I had Malachi. My primary physician is a Family doctor. She doesn't know much about HIV. In January she sent me to the lab to get my CD4s and my viral load. For some reason the lab never sent the results to my viral load. In January, my CD4 was 1088, my CD4 % was 33. I was really pleased. I haven't been on meds since March of 2005.

I just got a new set of labs this month. She ordered a viral load and CD4 and this time the results of my CD4 was never sent. Just the viral load. She was not able to explain the results to me. She seemed really confused. I got copies of them so I could take them with me to Florida. This is what it says.....


HIV 1 RNA QN PCR
   COPIES/ML                             1310 H                COPIES/ML     <400
   LOGCOPIES/ML                        3.12 H                LOGCOPIES/ML <2.60


I just wanted to know if anyone knows what this means. Can someone explain them to me. I am kinda confused.

Thanks a lot!

~Rasheen

Offline appleboy

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  • Just me!
Re: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2006, 11:40:26 pm »
Hey Rasheen,
First I am not a Dr. but will be glad to share what I know.
Viral load is saying less than 400
Viral Load  is a count of HIV particles per milliliter of blood.
If it is less than 400 then you are undetectable (not cured)
There is a supersensitive test that can go lower.
I do want to ask one question and that is have you ever been tested for HIV and was it Positive I am asking because there would need to be a reason to do CD4 and Viral Load testing.  This is usually if you have tested Positive on and HIV test and confirmed with a Western Blot.  Here is the link to aidsmed.com's lesson on Viral Load Tests http://www.aidsmeds.com/lessons/VLTest.htm
Thanks
AppleBoy

If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
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Offline MSPspud

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  • Joined Mar 2005 - Formerly UofMurbs
Re: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2006, 11:48:08 pm »
Ok, I think your labs are saying your VL is 1310 and that the <400 is just a reference point.  Either number would be considered great (treatment is recommended for VL over 50,000), so don't sweat it. 

I would not worry about being off of meds right now until you get your next set with cd4.   

I think you're totally fine, dear.

 

Offline skeebo1969

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Re: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2006, 11:53:05 pm »
  

Appleboy,

She is Rasheen from the blogs....  This is her first succesful viral load test she has had.  Her doctor was unable to tell her what it meant....  I hope she was positive before she met me......  if she wasn't, she is now! ;D
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline jkinatl2

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  • Doo. Dah. Dipp-ity.
Re: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2006, 11:56:37 pm »
Rasheen, I suck at reading and interpreting lab work, I am glad several people have stepped up to help :)

And Tom.. eep!

:)

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline appleboy

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  • Just me!
Re: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2006, 12:00:43 am »
Well I feel ignorant!  I miss read exactly how it was laid out.  The reference is on the right and number is on the left.  Duh!  So take MDPspud's reading.  skeeboi hummm  :o
Talk to the insurance company and explain you needed that referal yesterday!  Gotta love insurance companies!
Since I am on Sustiva I blame all ignorance on being dizzy!
Good Luck!
AppleBoy
If you are walking down the street and your pants drop to your ankles bend over pick them up and keep on walking!
My Blog

Offline newt

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Re: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2006, 12:43:58 am »
MSP has it in one, viral load result on left (absolute number and log value), sensitivity of the test on the right
"The object is to be a well patient, not a good patient"

Offline Rasheen

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  • Posts: 36
Re: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2006, 12:44:59 am »
Thomas,

You are so funny! I love you babe!

Appleboy and MSPspud, thank you so much for your help. I thought that maybe my viral load was 1310 but was not for sure. I am just like Jonathan. I have a tough time reading lab work.

Thanks again! :)

Offline livingpositively

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Re: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2006, 12:49:55 am »
Without any intent to hijack Rasheen's thread (I think it's related), can anyone explain the "log" thing.  I understand how the PCR is done, and what VL is, but don't quite get the LOG.  I would imagine there are others as well.  At least I hope I'm not the only one who doesn't get it. ??? ??? ???

Shane
4/6/07   CD4 450, % 23, No VL
2/19/07 CD4 487, % 26, VL 47,500
1/4/07   CD4 357, % 27, No VL
10/3/06 CD4 500, % 26, VL 18,000
7/6/06   CD4 530, % 29, VL 83,800
4/6/06   CD4 555, % 28, VL 13,000

Offline newt

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  • the one and original newt
Re: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2006, 01:34:48 am »
On log values see this topic for a handy explanation and a conversion table - matt
"The object is to be a well patient, not a good patient"

Offline livingpositively

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  • Posts: 369
Re: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2006, 04:22:18 pm »
Matt-

Thanks for the response there.  That definitely brings some light to the issue.

 :D

Shane
4/6/07   CD4 450, % 23, No VL
2/19/07 CD4 487, % 26, VL 47,500
1/4/07   CD4 357, % 27, No VL
10/3/06 CD4 500, % 26, VL 18,000
7/6/06   CD4 530, % 29, VL 83,800
4/6/06   CD4 555, % 28, VL 13,000

tendai

  • Guest
Re: I am confused. Anyone who knows how to read lab results please help!
« Reply #11 on: July 17, 2006, 06:01:23 am »
 

Appleboy,

She is Rasheen from the blogs....  This is her first succesful viral load test she has had.  Her doctor was unable to tell her what it meant....  I hope she was positive before she met me......  if she wasn't, she is now! ;D

Tom!! Naughty naughty! ;)

 


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