Question:
I just had a CD4 count and HIV viral load test, and I would like to better
understand these and other tests that may be done. Where can I find information on
laboratory tests done for people with HIV/AIDS?
To find information on laboratory tests, you can
begin on the
CHAIN Links page.
- Scroll down to the MEDLINEplus section and click
on AIDS.
- From the menu on the left side, click on
Disease Management.
- Select CD4 Count (American Association for
Clinical Chemistry.
- The Lab Test Online site provides a brief
overview of the test, information on what it measures, how the test is used, why it is ordered
and what the test results mean. There is also an option to request additional information
if needed.
- Return to the Disease Management section of
MEDLINEplus: AIDS and select HIV Viral Load (American Association for Clinical
Chemistry) or use the drop-down menu in the Test box at the Lab Test Online site to select
Viral Load. The same type of information provided for the CD4 test is provided for this
test.
- The drop-down Test menu or the Search option
at this site could be useful for finding information on other laboratory tests.
For additional information on laboratory tests,
return to the CHAIN Links
page.
- Scroll down the Links page, and click
on New Mexico AIDS Infonet.
- Click on Go to Index of Fact
Sheets.
- Select Background Information.
- Fact Sheets 106, 107, and 108 provide basic
information on Complete Blood Count, Chemistry Panel, Blood Sugar, Triglycerides, and
Cholesterol.
- Return to the Index of Fact Sheets
and select Treatment - Antiviral.
- Fact Sheets 412, 413, and 414 offer information
on T-cell tests (also called CD4 test), viral load tests, and resistance testing.
The above steps lead to information on laboratory
tests directed toward individuals with HIV/AIDS. General information on laboratory tests
these individuals may have done could also be useful. As mentioned above, Lab Tests Online is a
site that could provide this information. Another route to this type of information can be
found by returning to the
CHAIN Links page.
- Scroll down and click on
MEDLINEplus.
- From the list of choices, select
Dictionaries.
- Under General Dictionaries click on
ADAM Medical Encylcopedia.
- This resource offers comprehensive
information (including how & why the test is done, what are normal values, and what
abnormal results mean) on many laboratory tests. You can use the alphabetical listing
of topics to browse through and find a laboratory test, or you can enter the name of the
test in the Search box at the top of the page and click Go.
- Information from the Encyclopedia
will be returned and also links to any MEDLINEplus Health Topics that may be
related.
Return
to top of page
This page last updated 1/23/02
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