Forum on Understanding Your Labs: cd4 vs vl

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		cd4 vs vl May 11, 2008 I started my medication in August 2006 with cd count of 250 and viral load of 150 000. I am on reyataz, kivexa and norvir. 3 months ago when l had my blood works my cd count was 316 and viral load of 149 from undetectable. Again after my recent tests my cd4 is 511 and viral load is climbing to 234, is this something l should worry about. am becoming resistant to my medication or is this just a blip. I take my medication religiously. Please help.


		Response from Dr. Holodniy Assuming that you were undetectable up until 3 months ago probably not. You already eliminated one possible reason, poor adherence to the regimen. Another could be a change in the viral load assay at the lab. I don't consider the difference between 149 and 234 significant and is well within assay variability. I would hold tight for now. If on repeat it is now over 500 or 1,000, then something is clearly going on and a treatment modification would be in order.

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