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From: bob@ozdaltx.UUCP (Bob Culmer)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: Re: T4 counts and trials
Message-ID: <1991Feb13.235851.16561@cs.ucla.edu>
Date: 13 Feb 91 14:04:58 GMT
References: <1991Feb12.164134.3900@cs.ucla.edu>
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In article <1991Feb12.164134.3900@cs.ucla.edu>, The.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org (The "Bird") writes:
> Many studies require t4 counts above 400 or a similar number. 
> Labs indicates a NORMAL t4 count range to be 400-1500.
> 
> Can someone please explain to me what the hell good are trials for people 
> who DO NOT HAVE AIDS since their t4 counts preclude that diagnosis? 

My information has been that healthy T counts are above 800.  The
"normal" range range shown on the lab reports may have a more liberal
interpretation of the usual circumstances and infections people have
that would cause the counts to vary down as low as 400.

In any event, T counts do NOT indicate the presence or absence of
AIDS.  An HIV infected person will at some point in their history
(post infection) have normal level T counts and any number of other
values depending upon how they are responding to treatment etc.
Having an actual AIDS diagnosis according to CDC standards does not
rule out having a T count above 400 - I know several such people.

As to why some of the studies are looking for people with high T
counts it is a matter of trying determine whether the treatment can
maintain higher levels (which are generally assumed to be an overall
indicator of one's general health and ability to resist progression of
the disease). The studies need to determine if the treatment can be
helpful in earlier stages of the disease.  Pre-AIDS it was all too
common for new treatments for terminal illnesses to be postponed so
late in the disease that benefits they may have provided were not
evident.  Very late in any disease failures of a treatment may mean
the treatment is not effective but could mean that the treatment
was too late.

Not being accepted for a particular study or trial does not
necessarily mean you cannot get the same treatment.  If there is a
particular treatment or drug that you had in mind maybe here or in
AIDS Treatment News you can get more information on its use and
availability.  What has your doctor said about this particular
treatment?

-- 
Bob Culmer - Dallas        |  Auntie Em -  
Somewhere over the rainbow |  Hate you. Hate Kansas. Taking the dog.
...in the Land of OZ       |                         - Dorothy
            {mic,void,egsner}!ozdaltx!bob