Know Your Lab Tests
Having HIV means monitoring your health regularly. You’ll have blood drawn every three to six months to see how well you are responding to HIV treatment, as well as how good your overall health looks. Here are some of the lab tests you’ll become familiar with:
CD4 Cell Count
CD4s are immune system white blood cells (also called T cells) that fight invaders in your body. They are also the cells that HIV targets and destroys. A normal CD4 count ranges between 500 and 1,500 cells per cubic milliliter of blood, but as untreated HIV disease progresses, CD4s drop to as low as zero. Below 200, you’re at an increased risk of an AIDS-related infection or cancer, like Kaposi’s sarcoma or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The U.S. government currently recommends beginning treatment when CD4s fall below 350, though this number might be increased because of the higher risk of certain diseases in HIV-positive people with CD4s between 350 and 500.
Viral Load (VL)
This test checks the amount of HIV in your blood and is often used to make sure that treatment is working. An “undetectable” result—generally, a VL below 50 copies of virus per cubic milliliter of blood—indicates that therapy is doing what it should be. “I expect all of my patients to be undetectable if they are taking their meds properly,” Richard Loftus, MD, says. A VL that fails to go undetectable while on treatment, or becomes detectable again, he adds, could mean that treatment has stopped working effectively. “Then we need to do something about it.”
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A CBC measures the major blood cells, notably red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Monitoring your CBC is important, as it can help you and your health care provider determine the cause of possible fatigue, weakness, infection, bruising or bleeding. HIV infection, other diseases and ARVs used to treat the virus can all cause CBC abnormalities.
This one measures the fats in your blood (lipids), including cholesterol and triglycerides. Some HIV meds can raise blood fats, and high lipids can be a signal of increased heart-disease risk.
High blood sugar (also called glucose) can be a sign of insulin resistance, which can turn into diabetes. Some HIV meds can put you at greater risk of diabetes.
Liver and Kidney Function
These tests show how well these two organs are working. Your liver processes everything you take in, and some HIV meds can cause liver toxicity and kidney problems. Liver tests are especially important if you also have hepatitis B or C.
Soon after you’re diagnosed, your doctor may want to test your virus to see whether it is resistant to any of the available ARVs—this can help guide your treatment when you’re ready to start. These tests are also useful for people whose VL suggests that their treatment is not working correctly.
Search: CD4, viral load, complete blood count, blood lipids, blood sugar, lover and kidney function, drug-resistance tests
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comments 1 - 4 (of 4 total)
Robert T., San Antonio, 2012-05-29 19:42:00
Leonardo, with regards to your question your Dr. May refrain from giving you medications at this point because your CD4 is still strong enough to keep you healthy. The CDC has increased the suggested count for treatment to 400. Once your CD4 drops below that number he/she may suggest beginning treatment. Because of the high mutation rate of the virus most Physicians will refrain due to high possibility of drug resistance.
Carlos Leonardo, Mexico City, 2012-02-03 21:58:55
I just received my mosy recents HIV results, and my VL reflects 950036 copies, and my CD4 count is at 506. My clinic refuses to give me treatment, do I need it? should I continue asking for treatment?
POZ Staff, , 2011-11-21 13:09:47
Typo corrected, thanks!
Brian H, west hollywood, 2011-11-17 18:02:56
comments 1 - 4 (of 4 total)
I think this should say milliliter, not millimeter.
"Viral Load (VL)
... An “undetectable” result—generally, a VL below 50 copies of virus per cubic millimeter of blood"