#t cell count

[hivforum]

Is that the absolute % of the lymphs" ?

The CD4 count is roughly the absolute lymphocyte count multiplied by the CD4 percent.  But don’t try to do the math yourself and expect it to come out that exactly right…it just doesn’t work that way.

[hivforum]

In ur book it says to look at your cd4 percent vs your cd4 count is this the same as ratio?

No, not the same.  The CD4 percent is the percent of lymphocytes that are CD4 cells.  When you order a CD4 count, you always get a CD4 percent as well.  The CD4 percent tends to be a little less variable than the CD4 count.

The “ratio” is the ratio of CD4 cells to CD8 cells (CD4/CD8).  It is not a recommended test, but used to be commonly ordered.  It’s more expensive, but provides no additional information that’s useful.