Question
Are my lab results good news for long term survival?
7 August 2007. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Newly diagnosed, Starting treatment.
I wrote to you in June after being diagnosed with HIV.
I have now registered with a london clinic and had two test results; those being my initial diagnosis with my GP and my first tests at the london clinic. They were;
GP CD4 525 VIRAL LOAD 13, 000
Clinic CD4 620 VIRAL LOAD 18, 000
Are these good or bad news as to my long term survival, seeing as I am generally fit and well at aged 42?
Answer
Hi
As both tests show you have a good CD4 count (ie over 350 cells/mm3) and that viral load is low (less than 50,000 copies/mL, the best advice is that you have plenty of time to see how your results change over time.
There is no way to predict how quickly or slowly HIV will progress, other by following these trends over time. Even people who progress a bit more quickly will get just as good a response from treatment – they just need to start a little earlier.
You can’t interpret any differences between these two sets of results because it is likely they were run at different labs. Your clinic should use the same lab form now on, so you know you will be comparing the same things.
Keeping fit and looking after your health until you need treatment, should help you get the best from treatment whether it turns out to be in two or ten years time.
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