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, Starting treatment is the only way to increase your CD4 count. So it’s great that you’ve started. Yes, it’s possible to increase it above 500. Taking your meds will give you the best chance.
Hi, I started treatment when my CD4 count was below 200. Is it possible to increase it above 500?
Hi Hugh
Two things could be going on.
One is that the two test results are not really very different – and that nothing much has changed.
The other is that perhaps the smoking and drinking is not helping, so perhaps see whether changes in your lifestyle could help.
Good day OK I’m undectable but my cd4 has fallen from 580-461yes I started smoking and drinking in d time it dropped I guess stop smoking will change the figure right?
Hi,
It is important that you talk to your doctor or clinic. You may have developed resistance to your meds. This could have caused your viral load to go up. If this is the case you clinic can change you to different meds.
You can find more information here:
http://i-base.info/guides/changing
hi I want to know how can I increase my CD4 count because now is 26 and my viral load is 1774 so I want to know the cause that made it drop cause I’m taking my treatment and I don’t drink alcohol.
Hi,
A CD4 count of 344 is good. It is way above the level at which you’d have to worry about HIV related infections.
Are you on HIV treatment? If you are this should slowly rise over time.
You can find more information about CD4 here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting/cd4-count-and-viral-load
Dear sir, my Friend CD4 count is 344.is it OK? If not please let me know how to increase it.
Hi,
Taking HIV medication is the only way to take treatment. If you have already started treatment it should slowly be rising over time. If you are not on medication you should talk to your doctor or clinic. Because your CD4 is below 200 you are at risk of some HIV related infections.
You can find more information here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting/cd4-count-and-risk-of-illness
I am Rajesh, my CD4 is 180, how can increase it?