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 Tommy,
You’re welcome.
It’s great to hear that you’re doing so well. If its any help, coming to terms with your status gets easier with time. And you’re right, its important to just get on with life.
Keep well.
Hi Lisa
Thank you for your speedy reply !
I’m very happy to be almost undetectable and overall I’m doing great ,
When I was admitted to hospital 4 months ago I was very sick with PCP Pneumonia and I weighted 13st , I’m now 14’10 and have my strength and energy back , my consultant couldn’t believe I was the same person and told me my recovery was ” rapid”. I have trained at the gym for years and always had a healthy appetite , so I’m fully back to normal . Support wise I have confided in close friends and 2 family members , some days it’s at the forefront of my mind and others I forget for most of the day , I want to be as healthy as possible, work hard and live life …so I take my meds and get on with the day
Thanks for listening
Tommy :)
Hi Tommy,
The fact that your viral load is almost undetectable means that the meds are working, and working well. Especially given that you started with a low CD4 count and high viral load. Though there has been a drop from 345 to 245 this isn’t really something that you need to worry about too much. This is because CD4’s can and do fluctuate. In time it will go up and it will stabilize its self.
https://i-base.info/qa/424
If you are worried, which is common, then if its possible you should have it looked at again.
Other than the CD4 count, how are you coping with your diagnoses? Are you getting any support?
Hi Lisa
I was diagnosed 4 months ago , CD4 of 40 and viral load of 350,000.
I feel fantastic the best in a long time , my CD4 count went to 345 in the first 12 weeks but now it’s dropped to 245 how does this happen ? My viral load is almost undectectable so I’m very happy with that .
Many thanks
Tommy
Hi Bella,
Your CD4 is very low, therefore its very important that you start ARVs as soon as possible. Yyou have mentioned this, however when are you due to start? Ideally it should be straight away.
Other than ARVs there isn’t anything you can do to increase your CD4 count. This is why its important to start.
For what you need to do for your own health because your CD4 is low, please see here:
https://i-base.info/qa/4643
I’ve just found out that I’m HIV positive. My CD4 is 3. I’ll start my treatment asap. Is there any possibility for me to increase my CD4 without treatment?
Hi Promise,
If you’ve been on meds for 5 years and your viral load is still detectable, (so more than 50) this means that the meds you are taking aren’t working. You need to go and see your doctor as soon as possible. They will need to do a resistance test. They will need to change your medication. If the clinic aren’t any good, please go somewhere else.
Also, your CD4 is still quit low. Has it always been like this?
I’ve been positive for 14 years. I’ve been on ARVs for the last 5. My problem is my viral load is very high (39899) if I may recall correctly my CD4 is 216 I have high blood pressure 180/100 weigh 95,5 kg. I’m eating well, I take my meds on time every day, but I cant sleep at night because my feet are very sore. I can’t even put them inside the blankets. I tried to explain to the clinic but no help so far, is there any table that you can recommend for this?
Hi Liz,
Being diagnosed with HIV can be difficult. Give yourself some time to breath. You will be OK. For more about being recently diagnosed please see here:
http://i-base.info/just-found-out/
What you need to do is go to a clinic and have a test there. If it is positive they’ll be able to help you and explain what treatment you’ll need to take. Thoughts of treatment can be scary, however treatment for HIV is very effective. Its the treatment that will help you live well.
Thoughts of death are common when you’re first diagnosed. However, with treatment you’re life expectancy can easily be the same as it would have been if you weren’t positive. It really is that good.
Telling people that your positive can be hard, and relationships do and can change. However, take your time and only tell people when you’re ready. Being able to talk to others who are positive may help. Are there any support groups near to where you live?
With your boyfriend, if you’ve been having unprotected sex, do you think he may be positive as well?
Hi, I tested myself on 17th of January 2017 and the results were positive. Firstly, I can’t believe that this is true. I want to redo the test tomorrow. Secondly, I am so scared of how I will tell my boyfriend and parents that I am positive. I am the first born in a family of 5 and I feel like I am going to die soon and not being able to help my siblings and parents.