Question
How can I get my CD4 count to increase?
26 May 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
Hi – what can I do to help increase my CD4? I have just found out I am at undetectable level after 8 weeks on treatment which is great. my CD4 has gone from 95 to 166 (after 4 weeks) and is now 173 after 8 weeks. I know it can take time for the CD4 to recover when the base level is low as mine but I am still disheartened as I was really hoping for it to have rebounded a bit better than this. What can I do to help it increase? Many thanks for your advice.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Your CD4 count is doing really well and increasing nicely. Most people take 6-12 months for their CD4 counts to increase significantly. You are doing really well and have nothing to feel disheartened about.
There is very little anyone can do to increase their CD4 counts accept using HIV treatment which you are already doing. However, there are some things that you can do to maintain your CD4 count and ensure it stays up. This includes eating a healthy balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, not getting stressed out, not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation and generally looking after yourself.
Hi Michelle, this increase in CD4 count is not concerning. It is still within a healthy range (430-1690). What is the HIV treatment you are taking?
And do you know your BMI? You can work this out with your weight and height. BMI calculator: https://www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/calculate-your-body-mass-index/calculate-bmi-for-adults
Do you feel that you are currently underweight? and what have you done to try and gain weight?
In 2022 my cd 4 count was 890 last year my count increase to 1140 . The only problem I have I cant gain weight I I want to. I take my ARV’S every day I eat healthy but I had a problem with my weight
Hi Jack, have you been able to speak with anyone about testing positive? What treatment are you on? and have you had any tests done e.g., viral load tests and CD4 tests? Do you know if you have been tested for anything else or are taking any other medication that is not just for HIV?
Hi my name is Jack I recently found out about my status n m positive so wanna ask I don’t know about my cd4 count yet and I feel weak no strength m shaking sometimes I breathe difficult symptoms similar to mini panic attack I’ve been to Gp they being giving me pills such as diazpam as so on and also diagnosed with stomach ulcer thats what the GP said so m confuse please with all due respect m no longer living my life m always isolated when m walking m feeling tired when I am at work I find it difficult to breathe I can’t live like this please help I am taking my medication everyday ever since last year December
Hi Lebo, if your doctor prescribed the multivitamin, please talk to them first if you want to stop. If you have a vitamin deficiency if it best to take the supplement. Otherwise though, if you want to stop this is also usually easy, without causing problems. It certainly doesn’t need to be for life.
You are also getting a good CD4 increase if you are now over 400. It is actually better for your CD4 count to go up slowly and steadily. this is better than big increases.
Hi
How long do I have to use DS-24 multivitamin tablets, is it a life time thing or you can stop taking them any time with no health issues?
How bad or good if cd4 count just went up from 199 to 235, what must one do to up then faster, because I felt that they are very slow to increase
Regards
Lelo
Hi Shdrack,
Please talk to your doctor about taking any herbs or supplements with your ARVs. Some supplements can interact with some ARVs. And this means that you might not get the correct doses of your meds.
But how’s your HIV treatment going? Please let us know.
Is it possible take lerumo lamadi with ARV