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AIDS as we know today appears to be caused by the HIV-I virus where immune suppression occurs after the T-4cells are destroyed. Cancer is the ultimate failure of the immune system.
Here are some of the diagnostic assays to determine immune function integrity: The White Blood Cell Count (WBC) looks at the numbers of T and B cells. A high WBC indicates a possible infection. Whereas a low WBC can indicate a weakened immune system. The white blood count (WBC range) is generally between 4800-10,800. Whereas the RBC (red blood cell count) range 4.1-6.1 million.
Total Lymphocytes: This test looks at the T and B cells specifically in conjunction with other cells. Malnourished patients have low T and B cell count. A result which is less than 1500 is associated with greater death rates in surgical patients. The ideal for lymphocytes, T and B cells should be between 15-45%.
Total T-Cell count is important. Recall that the T-cells are the powerful antigen tacklers. T-cells are reduced when immune function is diminished. This would include those suffering from malnutrition.
The T4 to T8 Ratio is critical. This ratio looks at the relationship between helper T4 and suppressor T8 T-cells, which should be in balance. There normally are two T4 helper cells for every one T8 suppressor cells. An elevated T4/T8 ratio may point to an autoimmune disease, inflammatory response, infection, allergy, etc. The T4 (helper-T-Cells) desired range should fall between 385-2090. The T8 (suppressor) range ideally is 165-1290. The ratio of the two should be about 1:to 5.
The range of Neutrophils ideally should be between 50-80%, and the monocytes (macrophages) 0-12%.
When B cells are alerted to the presence of antigens, they produce plasma cells which churn out specific antibodies to destroy the antigen, as mentioned earlier called the immunoglobulins. These include IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM which can be tested individually with an option of including their specific subsets. These are specialized tests for specific Ig’s.
The Complements (C1, C2, C3, C4 etc.) are also studied, with Complement #3 being the most studied. It takes less than a month of poor eating to bring C3 down to about 60 percent of normal.
HDL (high density lipoprotein) is “good” cholesterol.
LDL (low density lipoprotein) is “bad” cholesterol.
Coronary artery disease risk factor is determined by dividing total cholesterol by HDL. For example if the total cholesterol is 150 and the HDL is 50 the risk factor is 3. The higher the risk factor, the greater the possibility of an MI.
For men:
3.43=One half the average risk of coronary artery disease
4.97= The average risk of coronary artery disease
9.55= Two times the average risk of coronary artery disease.
23.39=Three times the average risk of coronary artery disease.
For women:
3.27=One half the average risk of coronary heart disease
4.44= The average risk of coronary heart disease
7.05=Two times the average risk of coronary heart disease
11.04= Three times the average risk of coronary heart disease
Triglycerides – these are the fats in the blood. Ideally they should be below 100 mg/gl.
There are many other tests which can be performed to assess immune system integrity; however, that would be a book onto itself. The above has been just a sketch of some basic tests in addition to the standard panels.