Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
This Forum is made possible in part by Gilead and GlaxoSmithKline.
Ask the Experts about Choosing Your Meds
t-cell
May 4, 2008
I am 20 year old. I just tested positive. On my first blood test my viral load was 10400 and the t-cells were 374. My doctor said I should consider treatment, but I am not sure. Should I wait for a newer blood work? Should I start meds? What does this say about my health?
Response from Dr. DeJesus
You and your doctor are both right. Your doctor told you that "you should consider treatment", and that is precisely what you are doing, otherwise you would have not asked me those questions. On the other hand, it is good that you will repeat your CD4 cells and viral load again before committing to treatment. Your being so young, I am assuming you were recently infected. Initiation of anti-HIV medication is a very important commitment that you make with yourself, but a long, long time, so you need to make sure you feel comfortable with that decision mentally and emotionally.
If having a few more repeated tests is going to help you feel more comfortable about making that commitment, have your doctor follow your numbers for a bit longer. Although we normally recommend starting therapy when your CD4 approaches 350 cells, this is by no means an emergency. I think you will gain more by following your numbers a bit longer until you feel totally comfortable. But when you get ready, start and don't delay!
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
