Can I stop Septrin? (cont)

Nov 6, 2002

Dear Doctor Mark,

Thank you for your reply. My CD4 at diagnosis (four years ago)was 12. Don't know the percent; it must have been quite low.

Also, please explain why my absolute CD4 count is consistently higher than the percentages would suggest. For instance, some older results ran (CD4/): 120/8, 125/7, 121/7, 154/11, 170/12, 191/11. With a discrepancy, do you look at the absolute count or the percentage?

My doctor says if I go below 200 he would start PCP prophylaxis again.

Thanks again for your great column.

Mark.

Response from Dr. Holodniy

I believe that your percentages are in line with the absolute number. Again the benchmark is a CD4 count of 200 and 14%. Usually the absolute number is lower than the percent would suggest, usually due to lower total white blood cell (WBC) or lymphocyte counts. Although higher fluctuations could result from increased WBCs.