HIV/AIDS Treatment HIV and Your Complete Blood Count (CBC) By Mark Cichocki, RN Mark Cichocki, RN LinkedIn Twitter Mark Cichocki, RN, is an HIV/AIDS nurse educator at the University of Michigan Health System for more than 20 years. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 02, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Latesha Elopre, MD, MSPH Medically reviewed by Latesha Elopre, MD, MSPH LinkedIn Latesha Elopre, MD, is a board-certified internist specializing in HIV. She is an assistant professor of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print If you are living with HIV, your doctor will order regular blood tests to check the status of your immune system (as measured by the CD4 count and the amount of virus in your blood (as measured by the HIV viral load). In addition to these tests, others will be performed to ensure that your body is functioning normally and there are no signs of illness or drug toxicity. Central to this is a panel of tests called the complete blood count (CBC). KATERYNA KON / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images The CBC measures the composition of cells in a sample of blood to flag for changes that fall outside of the "normal" range of values. This can help alert doctors if a drug like Retrovir (zidovudine) is causing anemia or there are early signs of an opportunistic infection. The CBC is often the first clue that something is not right. This article looks at the three major blood cell types in a CBC and what high or low counts of each can mean if you are living with HIV. How Often Should You Get Your CD4 Count and Viral Load Tested? White Blood Cell Count White blood cells (leukocytes) are immune cells produced in bone marrow whose primary role is to fight infection. There are different types of white blood cells with different roles in immune function. A white blood cell count (WBC) is one of the tests included in the CBC. It measures the total number of leukocytes in a blood sample and also the counts of the different types of white blood cells, namely: Basophils Eosinophils Lymphocytes Monocytes Neutrophils An elevated WBC typically means that your body is fighting an infection. Other tests can then be performed to pinpoint the cause. Increased numbers of certain white blood cells may indicate a specific type of infection or an allergic inflammatory response. For example, higher-than-normal eosinophils may suggest a parasitic infection like toxoplasmosis, while elevated basophils can develop in people with a reaction to a medication. By contrast, a low WBC suggests that some condition is affecting the bone marrow's ability to produce white blood cells. When this occurs, the body is less able to fight infection. A decrease in white blood cells may be the result of HIV medications (like ganciclovir) that suppress the bone marrow, HIV-associated diseases that affect blood cells (like lymphoma), or a major opportunistic infection like tuberculosis. Recap A high white blood cell count is often a sign that your body is fighting an infection. A low white blood cell count may be due to HIV drugs or diseases that suppress the bone marrow or a blood infection like lymphoma that kills white blood cells. Barriers to Boosting CD4 Counts Red Blood Cell Count Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to cells and tissues of the body. A red blood cell count (RBC) is performed as part of the CBC to measure the total number of erythrocytes in a sample of blood along with other key values, such as: Hematocrit: The percentage of blood volume taken up by red blood cells Hemoglobin: The amount of the protein in red blood cells that is responsible for carrying oxygen molecules A low RBC is a sign of anemia, a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. In HIV, anemia is a common side effect of Retrovir, a drug that can suppress bone marrow. Anemia can also be due to an opportunistic infection, like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Kaposi sarcoma (KS), that can target the digestive tract and cause bleeding. By contrast, an abnormally high RBC, referred to as polycythemia, is less commonly associated with HIV infection. What that said, people living with HIV who are on testosterone replacement therapy will often have a higher-than-normal RBC. Testosterone replacement is sometimes used to treat HIV wasting or HIV-associated low testosterone. Recap A low red blood cell count is a sign of anemia, which may be due to drugs like Retrovir that suppress bone marrow or opportunistic infections that cause bleeding in the digestive tract. A high red blood count is uncommon but can happen with testosterone replacement therapy. Platelet Count Platelets (thrombocytes) are colorless blood cells involved in blood clotting. Platelet counts are rarely so high as to cause health problems. By contrast, low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) can lead to easy bleeding or bruising. Severe cases can even result in potentially life-threatening internal bleeding. Thrombocytopenia is associated with chronic HIV infection, primarily in people with advanced disease who are not yet on treatment. With that said, in anywhere from 5% to 15% of cases, thrombocytopenia is the first sign of the virus. Starting antiretroviral therapy can generally resolve the condition by suppressing the inflammation that contributes to low platelet counts. Certain HIV drugs like Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) can also cause low platelet counts, as well as opportunistic infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) and mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Recap A low platelet count is common in people living with advanced HIV but can also be caused by certain HIV drugs or opportunistic infections. A high platelet count is rarely problematic. Summary A complete blood count (CBC) is a panel of tests routinely performed in people living with HIV that measures the composition of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. Changes above or below the "normal" range of values may be an early sign of an infection or drug toxicity. Based on the results of a CBC, a doctor can investigate the possible causes of high or low blood cell counts, often before a condition turns serious. HIV Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. HIV.gov. Lab tests and why they are important. Huson MA, Hoogendijk AJ, de Vos AF, Grobusch MP, van der Poll T. 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Thrombocytopenia in HIV-infected patients. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2012;28(2):109-111. doi:10.1007/s12288-011-0124-9 Prokofjeva MM, Kochetkov SN, Prassolov VS. Therapy of HIV infection: Current approaches and prospects. Acta Naturae. 2016;8(4):23-32. By Mark Cichocki, RN Mark Cichocki, RN, is an HIV/AIDS nurse educator at the University of Michigan Health System for more than 20 years. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit