Teak & wbc count

[fizz24]

Hi Teak.  Was wondering if you could answer some questions for me.  I've read you were a LTP for 21 years before your CD4's crashed.  Were there no markers on bloodwork found before this happened or was everything in the high normal range and then months later everything dropped dramatically?  What effect did HIV have on your routine (CBC) bloodwork after being infected for 10-15 years?  Was your wbc still in the normal range - I've read that people infected with HIV can have normal wbc counts but usually at the low end of normal.  What effect did it have on absolute counts such as the lymphoctes, neutrophils, etc..  Were your esonophils effected - also read that esonophils tend to be higher than normal.  

[Isaac Argan]

Just Do a Hiv Test. EVERYONE tries to get information from CBC/ESR/WBC/Lymph
Me Included. My Own Dr said These Would Probably be affected by ARS.
5 HIV specialists say .............NO

You Can Everything within Normal, Even CD4 and Still Have HIV. Thats why this Disease has caused me and other so much Anxiety. I Had Most symptoms, Still some ongoing. My Bloodwork on 3 Occasions was normal!!!

Only Thing, ESR went from 2 to 6 to 4
Lymph Level Slightly up after Suspected Ars from 2.45 to 2.59
Haemaglobin 15g

I almost "interrogated" by dr about Eosinophils, Neutrophil etc. Most General Dr's Would Have a Clue unless certified Immunologist. thebody says CBC can NO WAY prove/dissprove HIV.

Unfortunately Ab. Testing is the only way. I tried everything. The only thing I MAY do, is maybe see if CD4/CD8 ratio is reversed maybe next year, but ONLY if I get more sick, or my node turn into golfballs!!!!! However I seem to be slowly improving.
Hope this helps

[coz80]

Hello,
you are right.I also had the blood work done and found the following things
Haemoglobin                             17.70    g/dL     (13.00 - 17.00)
Packed Cell Volume                      52.50    %        (40.00 - 50.00)
Leukocyte Count, Total                  10.20    thou/mm3 (4.00 - 10.00)
RBC Count                                5.90    mill/mm3 (4.50 - 5.50)

but negative at week 17 with combo and western blot.
so only a test can tell you about this scary thing.
good luck
coz

[Isaac Argan]

btw if cd4 goes down cd8 goes up, as in Hiv,
Theoretically Wbc count could be stable after years of infection. (after ars drop) as equilibrium has been reached. So Ratio would change, not absolute wbc, although there would be i'm assuming a drop slowly towards end stages (aids). Unless you Have a +ve Ab test, lymph Subset analysis is never done. (i asked) Plus, u'd need baseline, so it would be useless.
  Its an interesting question.
I Would ideally like a ratio done for peace of mind myself, to assure me my immunity is not suffering, but It's not indicated, ( apparently it would fuel anxiety) and it's too soon anyway (6 Months)

But if I get worsening symptoms years down the line, and no explanation, I will ask again,
I will come back and post. For now I'm trusting the Doctors and no more tests!

[fizz24]

Thanks for your comments but I was hoping for a first hand experience.