Dr - this is a follow up question to my post from yesterday ("Concern Re: HIV Exposure & Understanding Test Results"). I recently received lab results for a fairly extensive workup, and a few numbers have me concerned:
* Total Testosterone Level: 248 ng/dL (normal range given as 250-1100 ng/dL); measured by LCMSMS
* Free Testosterone Level: 61.4pg/mL (normal range given as 35-155 pg/mL) -- seems in range but low
AND
Cholesterol, Total @ 247 (normal range 125 - 200 mg/dL)
Triglycerides @ 413 (normal range <150 mg/dL)
AND
Albumin / Globulin Ration @ 2.2 (normal range given as 1.0 - 2.1) - note both Albumin and Globulin listed as "in range" separately, though Albumin on the higher end of that range @ 4.9 (high normal indicated as 5.1 g/dL)
CBC counts all seemed in range
* white @ 5.6 thousand / uL
* red @ 4.49 million / uL
* hemoglobin @ 14.6 g/dL
* hematocrit @ 43.3%
* platelet count @ 160
* neutrophils @ 62.4%
* lymphocytes @ 28.8% (absolute @ 1613)
Given these, I have two questions:
1.) Given my course of nPEP for 30 days (Kaletra + Truvada), are these types of out of range figures for these tests somewhat normal? I am concerned as I've been off PEP now for 9 weeks when these blood samples were taken. If this is related to nPEP, should I expect the labs to fall more in line over time now that I'm off?
2.) You reassured me that the most recent STD screens (including HIV) were conclusively negative (whew!), and I'm further assuming that for HIV to have an impact on testosterone levels that more time than 13 weeks post-infection would be required to create this kind of impact on testosterone generation. Can I be at peace with that logic? I don't have any baseline data on my total testosterone levels, but the fact that they are so low has me worried.
Appreciate your further response (I've donated again out of gratitude) and hope your response can clear my mind. Regardless, I know that I likely need to do something soon to get my Cholesterol under control.