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Is it worth getting CD4, CD8 and HGH tested - likely to provide useful info?

sianrecovery

Senior Member
Messages
828
Location
Manchester UK
I'm on a limited budget, and am trying to refine my understanding of whats happening and why by exploring viral and bacterial infections. I am going to test for CMV, EBV, HHV6, IgG and IgM, and considering adding CD4, CD8 and HGH to that list, which adds another few hundred quid to the price. Is the potential clinical info from these tests worth it in people's opinion?



thanks in advance for your responses - the help I have had via PR has been amazing

hope whoever is reading this is enjoying a decent day

Sian
 

Tony Mach

Show me the evidence.
Messages
146
Location
Upper Palatinate, Bavaria
Do you have gradual or flu-like onset?

If it is gradual onset (and maybe if it isn't), have your thyroid checked: T3, T4, TPO. If there is something a little bit strange (say TPO up a bit, but still OK), then check the most common anti-bodies (I think there are 2 out of 4 or 5). Any decent doctor should do that.

If it is flu-like onset (or even if it isn't), I would advise that you go to a university hospital that has a department for the diagnose of infectious diseases. They will probably find nothing, but they know what to check for, e.g. the most common viruses, depending on you presentation. It is important to rule out "obvious" things first: E.G. HepC and the like they will know. Write down the most important symptoms before you go there, try to make it clear and short, try to make up your head about what your important or big symptoms are an infectious disease doctor hasn't got the time for your life story. If he/she doesn't find anything, it maybe a good idea to move on to a ME/CFS specialist.

And all these tests that you mention won't help you much unless you have a doctor who is willing do something about them and usually doctors aren't swayed by tests they didn't order I did all the tests you mention (except HGH) and then some more, and I am not a bit smarter, but a lot poorer. I have some possibly active viruses, but don't have the money to do proper Realtime-PCR and I have no doctor that could do something about it at the moment anyway

If all is to no avail: Find a doctor that is specialized in ME/CFS that you can consult once a year that is better than doing some tests you know little about. Be warned, there are quacks out there.

You need to write which country you are in, so people can help you with a lab!
 

heapsreal

iherb 10% discount code OPA989,
Messages
10,104
Location
australia (brisbane)
cd8 being elevated is another tool to help you and your doc determine if ebv and cmv etc is reactivating, especially if u cant get igg titres measured or your doc only recognises igm antibodies as indicating herpes viruses are reactivating which it isnt, cd8 is more evidence of active viruses