Reading Your Labs
Your blood counts paint a picture.
Your medical laboratory chart can be a valuable tool for self-education and empowerment. So ask your doctor for a copy and take the time to learn the ins and outs of the lingo. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You're worth it. Here are some tips to help you:

Get a complete copy of your chart:
Your chart should include a chemistry profile of about 24 proteins, fats, minerals, and other chemicals in your blood along with a complete blood count (CBC) that measures all types of blood cells. It's yours by law for no more than the cost of copying.

Track your lab results:
Your charts are most useful over time. By comparing reports, you can see how your therapy is effecting the virus and your other organs.

Check your reference range:
The far right column of your test results should provide a reference range-the upper and lower limits of what's considered normal for a particular test. Without these levels, you can't interpret your results. If they're missing, ask your doctor to provide them. Also, remember that what's normal for you may fall above or below the reference range.

Here are key points to look for in your chemical profile:

• Elevated liver enzymes can be a sign of several things, including drug toxicity, cirrhosis, or hepatitis. GGPT, SGPT, SGOT, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and albumin are all common tests of liver function.

• BUN and creatinine levels are a measure of kidney function. If drugs irritate your kidneys, creatinine may be high. But these tests can't tell you whether you've got kidney stones.

• Cholesterol and triglycerides are fatty substances found in the blood. Many people on HIV drugs see these levels shoot up.

• Iron deficiency may indicate anemia or chronic bleeding, which, for example, sometimes occurs when such illnesses as Kaposi's sarcoma affect the intestines.

Complete blood counts can help you track anemia, infection and the health of your immune system's health. Here are some results to look for:

• Hemoglobin (Hgb) is a red-blood-cell protein. Checking Hgb levels is the main test for anemia.

• Platelets are particles in the blood the assist in clotting.

• Hematocrit (HCT) is the volume of red blood cells (RBCs) expressed as a total percentage of blood volume. It tells you whether your blood is too thick or too thin. Low HCT can also indicate anemia.

• Under white cell differential, you'll find a percentage breakdown of the different types of leukocytes (white cells) in your white-blood-cell population, which includes immune cells. o Lymphocyte subset is the heading for the section where you'll find your CD4 (helper) and CD8 (suppressor) T-cell counts. In HIV infection, there are usually too many CD8s and not enough CD4s. You'll also find your CD4 percentage-a comparison of CD4 T-cells with the total lymphocyte (lymphoid cell) count that may tell you more about your immune status than absolute CD4 numbers.

-Emily Bass