Our HIV Monitoring Package Explained
What are the tests in the HIV Monitoring Package?
Regular monitoring is essential for managing HIV, tracking treatment effectiveness, and maintaining overall health. Consistently checking key health markers allows for early detection of potential complications, ensuring that any necessary adjustments to treatment can be made promptly. Our HIV Monitoring Package provides a comprehensive evaluation of immune function, viral load, liver health, and kidney function, giving you a clear picture of your well-being. By staying proactive with regular testing, you can better manage your health, reduce risks, and maintain a strong immune system.
Please note that our packages are just a guide, you can pick any of these tests, add extra tests or take out any test. Choose what suits your needs!
Full package: R1366
This blood test is used to evaluate your overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anaemia, infection and leukaemia.
A CD4 count is a test that measures the number of CD4 cells in your blood. CD4 cells, also known as T cells, are white blood cells that fight infection and play an important role in your immune system. A CD4 count is used to check the health of the immune system in people infected with HIV.
An HIV viral load test measures the number of HIV particles in a millilitre (mL) of blood. These particles are also known as “copies.” The test assesses the progression of HIV in the body. It’s also useful in seeing how well a person’s HIV therapy is managing the virus in their body.
HIV treatment, like other chronic disease care, recommends a regular kidney function assessment, which is based on a creatinine test. The creatinine blood test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. This test is done to see how well your kidneys are working.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Test
This is a blood test that checks for liver damage. People living with HIV should have regular blood tests to monitor liver function (Pett, 2018). The liver plays an important role in processing drugs used to treat HIV and other conditions (Pett, 2018). This is also crucial as liver problems can be a side effect of some ARVs (Pett, 2018).
Alanine Aminotransferease (ALT)
This is also a blood test that checks for liver damage. Your body uses ALT to break down food into energy. Normally, ALT levels in the blood are low. If your liver is damaged, it will release more ALT into your blood and levels will rise. As seen above, people living with HIV should have regular blood tests to monitor liver function (Pett, 2018).
Book with Epicentre
For 20 years Epicentre has been studying wellness in South Africa. We are a company founded on a vision, ending disease in South Africa! So we believe in making an IMPACT.
We are an independent organization that is committed to creating a positive impact on health & wellness for all in South Africa. We want to close the gap between unscreened, undiagnosed, and uncontrolled HIV & COVID-19 infections as well as other chronic diseases for all South Africans.
By booking your tests with Epicentre, you are supporting a real local company that has worked for 20 years in all 9 provinces, from Pollsmoor prison to Constantia; & you’re getting a gold standard service that experts trust!
