Question
My CD4 has dropped from 900 to 600, should I worry?
20 August 2012. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
Hi. I am Poz and am not on medication. Over the past 4 years, my average CD4 was about 900 but now all of a sudden, it has plunged to about 600 and my VL tripled to 12.000 copies rather than an average of 2500. Should I worry?
Answer
Hello,
Thank-you for your question.
Although these results may have come as a shock it’s important to remember that this is still a very good CD4 count. In most countries treatment guidelines recommend starting treatment when your CD4 count is around 350 or less- you’re still well above this point.
Many things can influence your CD4 count.
These include: other underlying infections, stress, exercise, the menstrual cycle, use of contraceptive pills, time of the day when the blood sample was taken, temporary changes in concentrations of CD4 cells in different body compartments, or just a mistake in the lab, etc.
That is why the trend in CD4 results is more important than a one off reading.
As this is quite a large drop though, you could discuss this with your medical professional and request a second reading both from the same sample and from a new one. Your doctor should also look at your CD4/CD8 ratio and CD4 percentage to see if this is a real change in your immune system.
Hi Mike,
A drop in appetite doesn’t mean your CD4 count has changed. Your CD4 count is very good and shows that your immune system is still very strong. Changes in appetite can be related to stress. Do you have any support to deal with your recent diagnosis?
I was tested positive just 2 week ago n my CD4 count was 465 but am worried it must have dropped as I lost appetite 4 some days. wats do I do