Understanding Your Lymphocyte Panel
This panel tracks CD4 cells and lymphocytes, key measures of immune health. It is used to monitor how well the immune system is doing, especially during ongoing HIV care.
What It Measures
CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell that coordinates your immune defenses. HIV specifically attacks them, so tracking them shows how the immune system is holding up.
| Component | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Absolute CD4+ Count | The number of CD4 cells in your blood. Higher counts mean a stronger immune system; the goal of treatment is to keep this number healthy. |
| CD4 Percentage% CD4 | The proportion of lymphocytes that are CD4 cells. It can be more stable than the absolute count from day to day. |
| Absolute Lymphocytes | The total number of lymphocytes, the broader group these immune cells belong to. |
What’s Most Important to Know
The CD4 count is the main number followed over time in HIV care. On effective treatment, it typically rises and stabilizes, showing the immune system is recovering.
These values are tracked as a trend across visits rather than judged on a single result. Dr. Mui will interpret them alongside your viral load and overall health.
This page is for general education and does not replace a conversation with your doctor about your specific results. Want to review your results? Book a visit and we’ll go through them together.