New numbers and %CD4 question

[xyahka]

Hi, got new lab results today new CD4 --> 659 

Well, i had the chance to check my past CD4 (which is a miracle because in here patients are not allowed to further check their files) and i didn't find any %CD4 that everybody mentions.... i just found a row saying "CD4/CD8 relation" or something like that.

So i am not sure, if it is the same thing like %CD4... is it?

If you can give me some insight about this i would be really thankful. I asked my ID Dr but she didn't know what i was talking about and just told me "forget about it"

Juan Carlos (in perfect conditions except for a little high triglycerids and cholesterol... starting diet today)

PD: ahh... no viral load test... and no HCV results yet

[mjmel]

Nice CD4 count if that is indeed the number.
On percentages: do a search using search engine on this site. See button provided. This has been explained so many times but i keep forgetting because I don't fret on numbers. I have noticed they induce panic as much as comforting. My doc pays attention most assuredly and I am lucky to have one of the most caring ones in the state, I'm sure.
Weird about the limit on information given to patients in Ecuador.

Mike

[milker]

Must be the CD4/CD8 ratio you're talking about.

Lab reports may also list the T-cell (CD4+/CD8+) ratio, which is the number of T4 cells divided by the number of T8 cells. Since the T4 count is usually lower than normal in people living with HIV, and the T8 count is usually higher, the ratio is usually low. A normal ratio is usually between 0.9 and 6.0. Like the T8 cell count, nobody really knows what this low number means. However, most experts agree that once anti-HIV therapy is started, an increase in the T-cell ratio (i.e. a rising T4 count and a falling T8 count) is a telltale sign that drug treatment is working.

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/TCellTest_4727.shtml

Milker.

[xyahka]

Must be the CD4/CD8 ratio you're talking about.

Oh that's cool then, that ratio was over 0.5 in both CD4s.

Thanks for the info,

Juan Carlos (Having a great day  )