Additional Laboratory Tests

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HIV is associated with an increased risk for a number of medical conditions. With regular screenings, your doctor can help you assess whether you are particularly prone to any of these conditions and if you should be taking preventive therapy. Additionally, if your are on medication, these tests can determine if your antiretroviral therapy or other medication is causing some types of side effects.

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test

Liver Function Tests

Kidney Function Tests

Glucose Tests

Lipid Tests

Complete or Full Blood Count (CBC or FBC) Test

CBC measures the hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell, red blood cells and platelets in your blood. These blood components are responsible for many important functions in your body, making your CBC count a good indicator of a potential health problem.

It is important to have a CBC count every 3 to 6 months because certain HIV medications can lower these counts.

Liver Function Tests

HIV can affect your liver and how well it functions. Your doctor may evaluate your liver function with a blood test called the serum chemistry panel, which checks the level of AST and ALT (2 enzymes produced by the liver) in your blood. A high level of these enzymes can indicate liver damage or an infection, or it may mean that you are having a negative reaction to one of your HIV medications.

Your doctor also may screen you for the hepatitis C virus (HCV), using a blood test called the HCV antibody test. If the test is positive, they may then perform an HCV RNA test to see whether your HCV infection is current. Your doctor can further evaluate the condition of your liver by taking a biopsy. A liver biopsy requires local anesthesia and may cause some temporary discomfort. The potential benefit and risks of a liver biopsy should be discussed with your health care provider. To find out more about hepatitis C infection, please visit www.tibotec-hcv.com.

Kidney Function Tests

Abnormal kidney function occurs in up to 30% of people with HIV. It is recommended that all people with HIV have their kidney function checked when they are first diagnosed by having a sample of their blood and urine checked.

If your kidney function is normal, you should be rechecked on a regular basis. In some cases, antiretroviral medication may also cause changes in your kidney function. If your test is abnormal, or if you have other risk factors for kidney disease, your doctor may refer you to a kidney specialist for further evaluation.

Glucose Tests

HIV infection itself, as well as the use of certain antiretroviral medications, can affect levels of your glucose or blood sugar, and cause complications such as diabetes.

Patients taking antiretroviral medications should have their blood glucose levels measured using a blood test every 3 to 4 months. HbA1C tests may also be done on a regular basis to evaluate your blood glucose over a longer period of time.

Lipid Tests

HIV itself, as well as some antiretroviral medications , can affect the levels of your lipids or blood fats, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. High cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Some antiretroviral medications may lower your HDL (known as good cholesterol) and raise your LDL (known as bad cholesterol).

Having a lipid profile - blood tests that measure the levels of cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides in the blood - taken before and after you start ARV medications can help monitor for these problems.

If your tests show that you have high cholesterol, your doctor may make recommendations including increased exercise, weight loss, nutrition therapy, and smoking cessation. If necessary, your doctor also may prescribe drugs to lower your cholesterol.

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