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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: tinytim1225 on December 15, 2012, 01:16:55 am

Title: Cd4 Count Drop, and Slight % Decrease, SHOULD I BE WORRIED???
Post by: tinytim1225 on December 15, 2012, 01:16:55 am
Was diagnosed in 08/11, had a viral load of 40000, and tcell count of 199.  Was put on Atripla, but due to insurance deductible, had to find an alternative  way to get my meds.  Starting taking Viraday, and noticed my numbers went up, tcell counts were in the 680's. and cd4% was at 20%.  Fast forward to my last test results, tcell count was at 219, and my cd4% was at 18%....WHY?  Should I be worried?  My doctor ordered another test which I took today, and have to wait 2 weeks for the results.  Starting to freak out!
Title: Re: Cd4 Count Drop, and Slight % Decrease, SHOULD I BE WORRIED???
Post by: jkinatl2 on December 15, 2012, 01:24:21 am
How long was it between the 680 and the 219? It's a real possibility that the test was messed up. It happens. I assume you've been adherent and all that.

BTW- Welcome to the forums!
Title: Re: Cd4 Count Drop, and Slight % Decrease, SHOULD I BE WORRIED???
Post by: Common_ground on December 15, 2012, 03:21:40 am
How many readings have you got on cd4 thus far? What about your present VL?

Just spitballin here because without your full info kind of hard to make a guess, but well anyway, if you only had one reading at 680, that might be the one "off", taking your percentage into consideration.

Youll be fine, try not to worry to much during these two weeks.

Title: Re: Cd4 Count Drop, and Slight % Decrease, SHOULD I BE WORRIED???
Post by: mikeyb39 on December 15, 2012, 08:49:18 am
Hi Tinytim,
If you look at my numbers below, you can see that they can fluctuate in between, i think mine was in the low 600 and now in upper 700's this go around.  I don't think to much about that number these days as much i do on the VL numbers.   its all about trends.  i wouldn't worry too much.

Had you been sick befoe this last blood draw? such as cold/flu etc.  Sometimes that might have an effect on your numbers, but soundds like Jkinatl is probably correct in his below response.
Title: Re: Cd4 Count Drop, and Slight % Decrease, SHOULD I BE WORRIED???
Post by: LiveWithIt on December 15, 2012, 06:21:02 pm
As long as you feel okay it doesn't make sense to worry.  If you are loosing weight and getting sick easily there should be some concern, but maybe you are not responding well to the meds you are taking or you have become resistant to them.  Or maybe you weren't feeling well when the blood was drawn.