Question
I’m on treatment, but my CD4 count has dropped.
8 April 2019. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
I have been on HAART for 4 years now. However, I’m really concerned of my CD4 count. It has been fluctuating at a level that is not normal. It was 309 last year, and then it went down to 272 recently (after reviewing my results with the doctor). I declared to the doctor that I have sometimes delayed my medication intake. She said that it could be a major contributing factor to why my CD4 decreased. Even so, I’ve not experienced my CD4 count to a normal level (of more than 500 counts) even after 4 years of taking meds.
May I ask why? I can’t find any research to this issue. Also, should I be worried? Really need someone to respond to this. Thank you.
Answer
Thanks for getting in touch.
CD4 counts can and do fluctuate. CD4 counts can be affected due to a number of reasons -i.e. stress, time of the day, menstrual cycle, other infections, recent vaccination, lab errors etc. A drop from 309 to 279 isn’t a significant drop.
Not taking your exactly on time won’t be the reason why there’s been a slight drop.
With regards to your CD4 count never going about 350, this could be related to what it was when you were diagnosed, or you could simply just have a low CD4 count.
As long as your viral load is undetectable, your HIV is under control.
Hi Jon,R
I’m sorry this sounds very tough. And although i-Base can’t help with things like benefits, would you like to call me on the i-Base treatment information phoneline? I’m on 0808 800 6013 Mondays to Wednesdays 12 noon to 4pm.
We could discuss possibilities for treatment. And perhaps try to help link you with one of the big clinics. Or we could try to find a doctor who has the same long-time experience of HIV that could help.
It would be good to talk to you. Please call if you’d like to chat about this.
Hi
I was diagnosed with HTLV3 in 1983 and went without treatment until taking part in drug trials which caused permanent damage to my nerves, liver, bones and just about everything. I’m always exhausted and in permanent pain but since my consultant retired I feel like I’m banging my head against a wall having to explain these symptoms people who don’t believe a word I say. My new doctors think I must be an alcoholic to have a liver so swollen and won’t put me forward for a transplant. My benefits all stopped because the decision maker said she saw no reason why the medication I take would cause the symptoms i claim to have so with no car I’m stuck at home unable to eat healthy food and I can’t even get to a food bank. The THT said nobody like me has contacted them in years and they no longer offer the type of services that I was after. The benefits advisor at positive east couldn’t understand what I wanted, everybody thinks if you are undetectable on meds then everything is fine because there are so few survivors from those times. I doubt if any HIV doctor or health worker practicing now has even seen what full blown uncontrolled AIDS does.
Because I have lost all my care resources things are deteriorating and I’m seeing signs of clinical depression creeping in. My original doctor advised and helped me to study medicine and learn how to self monitor and self prescribe because at the time we had no knowledge about what we were dealing with. Now I’m having to justify myself to people who think I’ve got some sort of Munchausens-syndrome especially when I mention things like changes to my mitochondrial DNA. I may as well claim that I need help because the mercury and arsenic I was prescribed cured the pox but addled my brain.
I need an advocate who knows the history of HIV and can help me get the help I need and bloody deserve. I went through a lot doing my bit to get us where we are now. Soon a monthly injection in the bum will be the only inconvenience anyone with HIV will have to endure. I can’t be the only person having this trouble, Don’t die of ignorance! The public info said, but if I can’t get practical and financial help soon it looks like I’m going to die from everybody else’s ignorance.
I’m hoping that somebody reads this and can point me in the right direction-
Hi Ameswa,
Please read the answer to your earlier comment here. And please discuss with your doctor if the time is right to start your son on soft food.
Mix feeding that is not recommended is feeding both breastmilk and formula. There is no risk if you start weaning him onto soft food when you’re bottle feeding with formula.
Helo. I just want to know if is it still possible for me to breastfeed my baby when he is 6 months old. I never breastfeeded him at birth because I ddnt know that I was undetectable and the milk couldn’t come out . I really want to breastfeed him. Can u start when he is six months so that I can give him even solid foods to avoid the crying. I dnt want to start now because he started with bottle so he might not get enough milk in my breast I just want to start Atleast when I can mix feed.
Hi Ameswa,
As Lisa says on this Q&A, guidelines around breastfeeding vary from country to country. But here in the UK breastfeeding isn’t recommended and this is even if a woman’s viral load is undetectable.
That’s because there is a small risk to your baby even if your viral load is undetectable. Please talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby.
What are your reasons for wanting to switch to breastfeeding now? Please discuss this with your doctor.