latest blood work results

[Angel-Ronnie]

just received my latest results after the pathology lab lost the first set of bloods taken on the 4th of January so had to go and have more blood taken.

CD4 = 749
VL=<30
CD4 % = 29%

all other tests done is within normal range so I am pleased after all the stress of vials lost and having to retake not to bad 

[harleymc]

Very good.

[TheNormalLife]

Pretty numbers! Congrats!

Ray

[Tonny2]

         OJO       CONGRATULATIONS...GREAT NUMBERS,...HUGS                  OJO

[Angel-Ronnie]

living with HIV now for 11 years and over this time seeing ones CD4 being played like a yoyo, never know what to expect until we get our results. every time I get so nervous about the outcome for no bloody reason.

over the years can't remember that either one of my partners I had which is two, has ever gone with me to see my specialist

[leatherman]

CD4 being played like a yoyo, never know what to expect

you have incredibly GREAT cd4 counts and really have absolutely NO reason to be worried about your counts. (clearly that 290 count is an outlier and did nothing to change the great trend of your cd4 lab numbers) Your numbers have remained in the very high range of normal (the normal cd4 range is from 400 to 1200).

Your doctor is already following the guidelines testing you every 6 months because of your great counts. The latest change to the guidelines state that if your cd4s are greater than 500 and your VL has been UD for 2 yrs (which is very nearly your situation) that you can completely stop having your cd4 count checked at all and simply continue with only the viral load test being done in the future.

The most current HRSA/HAB guidelines recently extended the testing range for those who are virally suppressed to once every 6 months in a 24-month period. The word is that the next update will extend VL testing to once a year with cd4 testing optional for PLWH with consistently suppressed viral loads. We should probably see these changes to the Ryan White Core Measurements in the 2016-17 cycle. (Hopefully that change will also standardize the time periods across the measures to be more consistent. )

the current guidelines are:
After 2 years of ART, VL consistently suppressed and CD4 consistently 300-500:
Time between viral load test can extend to every 6 months for patients with consistent viral suppression for >=2 years.
With the cd4 test done every 12 months

After 2 years of ART, VL consistently suppressed and CD4 consistently >500 cells/mm3:
the CD4 test is Optional

https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines/html/1/adult-and-adolescent-arv-guidelines/458/plasma-hiv-1-rna--viral-load--and-cd4-count-monitoring
"Table 4. Recommendations on the Indications and Frequency of Viral Load and CD4 Count Monitoring"
http://hiv.ucsf.edu/docs/hiv_monitoring_guideline.pdf
"Table. Summary of HIV-specific routine laboratory monitoring" (pg 5)

These guideline changes reflect the science of monitoring patients (who are and are not virally suppressed) to decrease the lab visit burden to patients and the associated costs of those tests (lab work and doctor appts). While that's a win-win for patients (less trips to the doc, less jabs with a needle, and less money spent to health care), in cases where these services are covered through a state's ADAP or Medicaid program, these cost savings will help states to provide more services for even more people.

Of course, any clinical changes or med changes puts a patient at a different testing level with has more frequent testing based on the situation until patients are once again virally suppressed for the recommended length of time.

Personally my cd4s have been in the 300s for the last decade (my counts were much, much lower the 15 yrs before that) and I'd have to look in my notes to even know what my last cd4 count was when I had lab work done 4 months ago. As long as your cd4 count is above 200, the cd4 count has no diagnostic purpose and really shouldn't concern you- and really, really shouldn't concern someone like you who is nowhere near the 200 or lower range. Hopefully you can shake off your worries and get past any concerns you have about your really great numbers.   

[Angel-Ronnie]

Thank you so much for the positive encouragement Mikie, I have tried to maintaining a very active gym life combined with low stress in my life. also healthy eating and a healthy Appetite has helped.

you have always been such a kind person, thank you