Recently tested POZ, initial blood work worries me

[NOLApoz]

I recently tested + and have been in a whirlwind since. I believe I contracted it at the beginning of March and I got the typical flu symptoms about 2 weeks afterwards. The symptoms and circumstances scared me and so I went to get tested. The results were devastating but fortunately I have had great help from the people with NOAIDS in New Orleans.

I have had my initial blood work done but don't see my doctor until 6-2. I have read the results online and although I don't understand all of it, I was surprised to see that my CD4 count was 302. My vl is 86,780. Based off of what I have read and been told, I was expecting my vl to be high and my CD4 to be in the 4-500 range. Is this considered low or unusual for just contracting the virus? I have seen others on here with CD4's with 2 digits so I know I don't have it nearly as bad as some but it still has me worried. I know I really shouldn't worry too much until I've spoken with my doctor but I'm curious as to how normal this is. Just looking for peace of mind.

[mecch]

Hey welcome to the forum.
Something I learned in my experience, and then from several years reading others here, is that there isn't much of a "normal" for CD4 numbers after seroconversion.
Most people dont know what their CD4 was before HIV infection. So there's no way to know if you came down from 500, 800, 1000, 1500.  etc.
What is really important to get your head around is that HIV treatment is available and is great and if you and your doc decide to start now your infection will be cut down to the reservoirs only.  Your CD4s will go back to something - but you won't know for some time what sort of long range CD4s you will have.  Maybe 500, maybe more. Some HIV people on treatment bounce to a certain acceptable level, and then low and behold, 5 years later, there is another leap. Other people have CD4s that make a dramatic bounce after starting therapy. And others, its a slow rise...
You won't find peace of mind if anyone says your numbers are normal because its sort of meaningless. Your numbers aren't catastrophic.  The peace of mind comes from knowing that treatment works, and that many doctors predict a good long healthy lifespan for people on treatment. Especially those on treatment early.  Which will be your case, if you have only been HIV+ a few months.  Your health will be OK. 

[AusShep]

Ditto to what Mecch said about no normal numbers.

The CDC recently added a stage 0, to HIV infection for those known to have converted in the last 6 months.  This is because your CD4 count can take a nosedive, then bounce back up to near normal for you, then begin the decline over time, so initial low numbers aren't taken to mean anything in this case until 6 months have passed.

[NOLApoz]

Thanks! I do feel better about things and slowly coming to peace with my situation. I think once I finally talk to a doctor things will be better.

[LostChild89]

You will. And over time everything will slowly make sense. The biggest key I'm learning is to take your time, process it, and move slowly. Lastly, realize that you had it for X amount of time, so there is a strong chance that you have lived with it without knowing (basically meaning that it did't kill you, so now that you know it WONT take you down without a FIGHT!).

Lastly, NOAIDS NOLA is one of the best organizations in the city! Get involved with the programs and the social groups. I know of a couple, like Me + You, that help you get connected to people who know whats going on and could care less. It helps to have people understand but not treat you like you think you should or will be treated. If that made any sense.

Much love to ya in the 504!