Interpretating Your Lab Results, CD4

This is the first in a four-part series on understanding you lab results.

“CD4 cells” (“T-helper cells”), are white blood cells which initiate the immune systems response to bacterial, fungal and viral infections. The CD4 count is the number of CD4 cells in a cubic milliliter of blood. (CD4 cells/mm3). A normal CD4 count is anywhere from 500-1,600. After being infected with HIV, our CD4 count will generally drop by approximately 100 cells annually. When your CD4 count is lower than 350, your immune system is weaker and you may get opportunistic infections, current treatment guidelines now suggest starting HAART by this time.

We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about your lab results. Please drop us a note. Next week we’ll talk about CD4 percentage. Be well!