Question
Why has my CD4 count not increased?
6 December 2016. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Newly diagnosed.
I have been on treatment for 5 months now.
My cd4 count was initially 140 in june 2016 and increased to 270 in mid Sep 2016. VL was UD. CD4% 13
The latest bloods in mid Nov show that my VL is still undetectable and the CD4 count is 268 and CD4% 15.
Why has the CD4 improvement stagnated? I expected it be higher and am a bit worried now.
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
Its great to hear you’re doing so well, and that your viral load is undetectable.
Your CD4 count is pretty good – and is high enough to protect you against most HIV-related worries.
You started meds with a low CD4 count and have had a great response. This should continue steadily over at least the next few years.
Because your CD4% increased, this means your immune system is still getting stronger. Whenever a CD4 result is different to the one you expected, the CD4% can show whether this is something to worry about. In your case it shows everything is very good.
This answer has more information about the CD4%:
https://i-base.info/qa/20
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