% CD8 T Cells

% Cytotoxic (CD8) T Cells

What's

% CD8 T Cells

Cytotoxic (CD8) T Cells, often simply referred to as CD8 T Cells, are a type of white blood cell that play a vital role in your immune system. They are like the body's security guards, always on the lookout for harmful invaders like viruses or bacteria. Once they spot an invader, they spring into action, destroying the infected cells to keep you healthy. CD8 T Cells are also unique because they have a 'memory'. This means that if the same invader tries to attack again in the future, these cells remember it and can respond more quickly and effectively. CD8 T Cells are a crucial part of your body's defense system, helping to protect you from illness and disease.

If Your Levels Are High

High levels of the % Cytotoxic (CD8) T Cells biomarker could suggest that your body is actively fighting off an infection or disease. CD8 T cells are like the soldiers of your immune system, so a higher percentage could mean they're in battle mode. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a viral or bacterial infection. Certain medications, like immunosuppressants or corticosteroids, can also affect the percentage of these cells. Additionally, conditions like HIV/AIDS or autoimmune diseases can cause an increase in CD8 T cells as your body tries to combat these conditions. It's important to note that while a higher percentage of these cells means your body is working hard to protect itself, it could also indicate a serious health issue that needs attention.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of % Cytotoxic (CD8) T Cells could include fatigue, fever, unexplained weight loss, or frequent infections. However, it's also possible to have high levels of these cells without experiencing any noticeable symptoms.

If Your Levels are Low

A low percentage of Cytotoxic (CD8) T Cells in your body could suggest that your immune system isn't as strong as it should be, making it harder for your body to fight off infections and diseases. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a chronic illness, a genetic disorder that affects the immune system, or even stress. Certain medications, like corticosteroids or chemotherapy drugs, can also lower the count of these cells. Additionally, conditions like HIV/AIDS specifically target these cells, reducing their numbers. In essence, a low count might mean your body's defense system isn't fully equipped to protect you from health threats.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of % Cytotoxic (CD8) T Cells could include frequent infections, prolonged recovery from illnesses, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. However, it's important to note that these symptoms can be associated with many different health conditions, and not just a low CD8 T cell count.

See References

Test for

% Cytotoxic (CD8) T Cells

Lymphocyte MAP by Cyrex Laboratories

Whole Blood

Measures the integrity of the immune system at the cellular level to help identify a patient’s immune status and immunotype(s), based on 28 key biomarkers and determinants. The Lymphocyte MAP™ is an innovative new test that establishes a new standard in screening the immune system. As the best measurement of immune health, it classifies different lymphocytes beyond the ordinary testing of lymphocyte subpopulations. It includes not only T and B cells and CD4/CD8 ratios, but also the very important Th1, Th2, Treg (regulatory T cells), and Th17 cells and their ratios, as well as a variety of natural killer (NK) cells such as CD56+, CD16+, CD56+ D16+, CD57+, CD57+CD8+, CD57+CD16+ (known as the superkillers), and the immunoregulatory NKT cells. Detects overall immune health of individuals and disorders associated with infections, cancers, allergies/hypersensitivities, mast cell activation, and autoimmunities. Developed and published by Aristo Vojdani, PhD, MSc, CLS, known as the father of functional immunology, in 2004, 2006, 2011, and 2024.

Add-On Lymphocyte MAP by Cyrex Laboratories

Whole Blood

CD4:CD8 Ratio Profile by Access Med Labs

Whole Blood

The CD4:CD8 Ratio Profile measures the percentage and absolute counts of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, along with their ratio. This test is valuable for assessing and monitoring immune system function, as changes in these cell counts and ratios can indicate alterations in immune status.

CD4:CD8 Ratio Profile by Access Labcorp Draw

Whole Blood

Lymphocyte Subset Panel 2 by Access Med Labs

Whole Blood

The Lymphocyte Subset Panel 2 test is a comprehensive panel useful for assessing the patient's immune system functionality and aiding in the diagnosis and management of immunological disorders.

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