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Author Topic: Labs that don't make sense  (Read 2180 times)

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Offline YellowFever

  • Member
  • Posts: 172
Labs that don't make sense
« on: November 20, 2013, 04:06:19 pm »
So my CD4 is up yet again, and VL (measured for the first time) is at a low 650. But I'm not on any meds. Doctors are shocked and confused so I'll be visiting the vampire phlebotomist in January. Anyone with same sort of labs? I'd like to hear the sort of rough timeline before you need to start taking medicine. I've so far heard anything between 5 years to never...

In other news, I was at the swimming pool the other day when I found a big pink pill with "GSI" emblazoned on it. Nice to know I'm not alone in this :)
08/2010 HIV- 08/2012 HIV+
10/2012 CD4 415
04/2013 CD4 457
10/2013 CD4 520 VL 650
02/2014 CD4 410 VL 390
08/2014 CD4 580
01/2015 CD4 500 VL UD
05/2015 CD4 420 VL 2500
08/2015 CD4 460 VL UD
03/2016 CD4 500 VL UD
08/2016 CD4 410 VL 4467

Offline buginme2

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,426
Re: Labs that don't make sense
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2013, 04:11:31 pm »
According to United States guidelines you should already be on meds. 
Don't be fancy, just get dancey

Offline tednlou2

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,730
Re: Labs that don't make sense
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2013, 12:29:43 am »
While your viral load is low, your CD4 and CD4% indicate an immune system that is struggling.  Why are the docs shocked?  I forget where you are from, so I'm not sure why this is the first time your viral load has been checked.  It could be they don't pay for it where you live, unless you fit a certain numbers criteria.

My CD4 and CD4% have been lower than normal this year, from what they have been in years past.  My last CD4% was 20%.  That caused me to start looking at and researching med regimens.  I had already had one picked out, but that was before the newer regimens came out.  I will be getting my latest labs soon, so I will see if this is the new norm. 

So, my advice would be to start learning about the regimens and which ones are options to you.  And, to start thinking about when you would start meds.  I mean, to start preparing for that eventuality.  That's what I am trying to do.

Offline YellowFever

  • Member
  • Posts: 172
Re: Labs that don't make sense
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2013, 07:13:09 pm »
I've just temporarily relocated to the UK, which explains why the VL is checked this time around. But whether Malaysia or UK, the guidelines do not suggest starting until CD4 is lower than 350 (maybe it will soon change to 500). The doc says that someone with my CD4 counts wouldn't normally have such a low viral load. And based on the numbers he sees, he doesn't foresee me taking medicines in another 5 years time unless those numbers change. Although a good question is to ask what role does VL play in determining when to start treatment? If none at all, it would be surprising why so many have that data long before starting treatment.
08/2010 HIV- 08/2012 HIV+
10/2012 CD4 415
04/2013 CD4 457
10/2013 CD4 520 VL 650
02/2014 CD4 410 VL 390
08/2014 CD4 580
01/2015 CD4 500 VL UD
05/2015 CD4 420 VL 2500
08/2015 CD4 460 VL UD
03/2016 CD4 500 VL UD
08/2016 CD4 410 VL 4467

 


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