Question
why has my CD4 count dropped so much?
10 June 2023. Related: Adherence, All topics, CD4 and viral load, Life expectancy, Newly diagnosed.
Hello, I had negative test result in January 2022. In the March 2023 I had a positive result and 127 CD4 and a viral load of 280 000. After 62 days of treatment i have CD4 count of 300 and i’m undetectable. I don’t understand how in about one year I got a small range of CD4? Will it influence my life expectancy ?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
It is great to hear how quickly you got an undetectable viral load.
Your CD4 count has also recovered really well over the year. This is really encouraging for your immune system recovering.
In the early phase of HIV, CD4 count can take a big dip early on and then naturally recover a little bit, even without medication.
Do you know what your CD4 count was in January 2022?
As you have recovered your CD4 count to 300 it is likely that your first result was a bit skewed and it would have naturally recovered a bit on its own. Being on treatment has allowed the recovery to be faster.
Have you been on an antibiotic while you have had a low CD4 count? Some countries suggest using co-trimoxazole when below 350. This is to prevent other infections as your immune system recovers.
As your CD4 count is recovering so quickly, it is a really good sign that it will fully recover. This along with your undetectable viral load would suggest your current life expectancy is similar to someone HIV negative.
Josh.
Hi Philip, thank you for sharing. It is really good that you are now undetectable and your CD4 count is recovering.
Hi I had a similar experience to Adrian with rapid CD4 decline.
I tested positive in Mar 2022 and my first CD4 count was 57 (7%) and VL 54000.
I have strong evidence that tells me I got infected in May 2021 (so just 10 months earlier). One of the doctors at the clinic I attend said my low CD4 indicated I was positive for a long time (even up to 10 years) but I know that’s not possible as I had a negative result in Jan 2020.
I went on ART straight away (Dolutegravir and Truvada) in Mar 2022 and was also on Septrim for the first 6 months.
I’ve been undetectable since late May 2022 and my CD4 has been improving over the months – in May 2023 it was 261 (18%). Hopefully it will get back to a normal range eventually.
Good morning,
Thank you for your answer. Small correction – my CD4 increased from 127 to 300 in 2 months, not in a year ;)
In January I had a negative result, so the amount of CD4 was not checked.
My doctor prescribed me BACTRIM and I took it for 62 days until my CD4 was 300.
First score CD4 = 127 after 26 days CD = 192 after 62 treatments CD4 = 300. Viral load 280000 after 26 days VL = 328 after 62 days undetectable.
when HIV infection was detected, Lyme disease was also detected, which was cured.
Hi Adrain, as with how your CD4 has been improving it is very possible that your CD4 count will become greater than 500 this year. Though this is not something I can guarantee. As you are now undetectable, HIV is no longer damaging your immune system and it is great that you no longer need Bactrim. This shows that your immune system is recovering really well.
Tnx, go answer and your time ;)
For first question, i have only negative result soo i dont know how high was my CD4.
When i was diagnosed i had chicken pox too. I start with 127 CD4 after 25 days 194 CD4 after 62 days 300 CD4, VL 280 000 -> VL 328 -> undetsble.
My doctor give me Bactrim when i start treatment but now i dont take it.
Do you think that i can have CD4 about 500 in this year ?