Question
How can I improve my CD4 count when I am already on treatment?
2 March 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
How to improve my CD4 count of 210? Is it dangerous at this stage? I was stressed and it has never been so low. I take daily Truvada (tenofovir and FTC) and Viramune (nevirapine). How can I improve it? Will more sleep help? I eat healty foods.
Thank you.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am sorry to hear that you are stressed at the moment and that it is affecting your CD4 count. A CD4 count of 210 isn’t bad at all and is nothing to worry about.
How long have you been on medication? If you have recently started then it is possible that as you continue taking your meds your CD4 count will increase. Trying to reduce your stress levels or learning to manage your stress better could also help.
Other things that can help to increase CD4 counts include the same things that are advised for general health. Try to eat a balanced diet, sleep well, exercise, stop smoking, and only use alcohol or recreational drugs in moderation.
It is also possible that your CD4 count is just fluctuating and that it will naturally go back up on its own. Either way it is nothing to worry about. Once you have started treatment the most important thing to monitor is your viral load. As long as that remains undetectable your treatment is working.
Hi I’m sorry if this seems like a stupid question. I was diagnosed with being HIV positive in the beginning of the year. I am 59 years old. My dockter told me that my CD 4 count was standing on 47. And I have been put ARV’s but according to my doctor my CD 4 count will never climb no matter what I do. I went for a second opinion and was given the same assessment “my CD4 count will never climb” but no one seems to be able to explain to me why that is.
Hi Saphan
Thanks for your feedback – and great that your treatment is working well.
I started my ARVs in Feb this year with cd4 425 and in September I had 472 was good for me to start treatment. Thanx
The only way that is proven to increase your CD4 count and to keep it high for many years is to use HIV meds.
Please read the first few sections and links in the introduction to combination therapy.
i would know about how to increase my CD4 count.
When I started medication with my ARV last Feb. 07, 2012 ( taking Lamivudine, Tenofovir and Efavirenz) my baseline CD4 count is only 34 after 5 months after my CD4 count becomes 164 (done last July 02, 2012). I follow a very simple tips from my friend with advanced HIV case by simply living with healthy lifestyle without stress, plenty of fruits, fiber and malunggay and kamote taps helps a lot with coconut juice.
If your viral load is 25 then it means your drugs are working. If your viral load remains below 50 and you continue to take your HIV meds on time then you should not get resistance.
Hi
your articles give me hope and strength. My cd4 is 426 and viral load is 25..I don’t fully understand what this means..could this mean am becoming resistent to my drugs. am currently on aluvia and truvada. My doctor said this is dangerous…
Most people start treatment around the 350 mark. Some people start a bit earlier and some a bit later. If you are financially unable to afford the treatment until your CD4 count is below 350 then waiting a bit longer will not put your health at serious risk. If you are very keen to start treatment now and are able to afford to pay for it for the rest of your life then you can follow your doctor’s advice and start straight away.
It is really your decision to make about when to start treatment. For more information please follow this link.
five weeks ago ive been dignosed HIV+ with CD4 COUNT 366 and viral load of 360 000. Doctor suggested that i must be on medication as soon as possible. As im on discovery medical aid they say i cant take medication until my cd 4 count is less that 350 . So i dont know if is advisable for me to wait or may be provide myself with medication.