How to Interpret T-Cell Test Results

AIDS is a disease that attacks and destroys many of the cells, known as T-cells or CD4 cells that make up the body's immune system. The doctor will generally order a T-cell test every few months to see how your immune system is holding up under the onslaught of the virus. It is important to know how to interpret the results so you do not become overly optimistic or unnecessarily upset by what the numbers show. Read on to learn how to interpret T-cell results.

Instructions

• 1

  Learn about T-cells. The Body website has a great page explaining the value of T-cells and what happens as they become infected with HIV. See the Resources section below for a link.

• 2

  Familiarize yourself with stages of HIV disease and learn to interpret T-cell tests. For instance, any HIV positive person who has a T-cell count of over 500 and is healthy is considered asymptomatic. Anyone with a T-cell count between 200 to 499 or whose T-cell count is below 200 but has had no opportunistic infections is said to have ARC (AIDS-related complex) and anyone whose T-cells are lower than 200 and who has had at least one opportunistic infection is said to have full blow AIDS.

• 3

  Avoid feeling too discouraged if your T-cell count is low. T-cell test results often bounce from high to low and back again due to factors like nutrition, level of exhaustion, use of alcohol or recreational drugs and recent illnesses. Although your HIV disease is staged based on the worst T-cell test count you receive, it is important to remember that starting treatment or just getting a few extra hours of rest can give your T-cells a big boost.

• 4

  Get a copy of all lab results so you can study them at your leisure.

• 5

  Ask your doctor to explain any medical language that you don't understand. When you think you're starting to get it, repeat the message back and ask if you've understood correctly. If not, the doctor needs to explain it again. Don't be embarrassed to ask several questions. After all, it's the doctor's job to communicate effectively with you, not your job to struggle to understand a bunch of medical jargon.

• 6

  Get a second opinion if you have unanswered questions about your T-cell count or any other aspect of your health condition.