Question
Are these changes in my CD4 and viral load normal?
15 November 2010. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Newly diagnosed.
I’m a 30 year old HIV-positive male. I found out that I was positive in April of this year. I am not on medication. I recently received my third set of blood results. In May my CD4 count was 360 with a viral load of just over 5000. In August my CD4 count had risen to 380 with the same viral load as before. My recent test results show my CD4 count was 480 with a viral load of 3300 (CD4 % of 26%).
I understand that both counts can fluctuate but I wasn’t expecting my CD4 to rise as much or my viral load to decrease. Are these results normal? Should I be pleased with those results?
Answer
Hi
Thanks for your question and to be able to answer online.
Fluctuations in CD4 count and viral load are common. It is actually very unlikely that you ever get two results the same, so they will usually be a bit higher or lower each time. Your current results show that your CD4 count is still strong and your viral load is very low.
If you think your were recently infected (within six months of taking the test) then your CD4 count may continue to increase a little.
There is also a lot of variation in how quickly or slowly they change in every individual. You need to see how things change over the next year or two. These results will be used to determine when it is best to use treatment.
I hope you are coming to terms with HIV. It is difficult and can take a while, but it does get easier.
Hi Gugu,
The only way to improve your CD4 count is to take ARVs. No other supplements, herbs or medications can do this.
Why are you putting off starting treatment? ARVs are much easier to take than they used to be. They have fewer side effects and are very effective at treating HIV. For more information about CD4 counts please see our FAQs.
Hi I tested positive a year ago & took the CD4 test – it was 350. 6 months down the line,it has dropped to 307, I don’t want to start taking ARVs anytime soon, what can I do to increase my CD4 count.
Thank you for your question.
It is great to hear that your CD4 count has increased so well over the last year. You do not have to wait until your CD4 is over 600 before you change treatment. It would be a good idea to wait until your viral load is undetectable if possible. You should always check with you HIV doctor before changing medication because you may have to do it gradually as some drugs stay in your system for a while after you stop taking them. For more information you should follow this link.
Hello,
I recently started taking my ARVs with a CD4 count of 29 in January 2010. I have been progressing quite well as my CD4 is now 288 though I am not certain of the the viral load. I take my medication twice daily, 2 in the morning and 3 at night. I wanted to find out when it’s ideal for me to change my medication to taking one tablet per day or should I wait unitl my CD4 is above 600?
I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Your results are good and you should not be concerned. Your CD4 count is high and your viral load is still relatively low. For more information about CD4 counts and viral loads please follow this link.
Hello,
A small decrease from 194 to 173 is nothing to worry about and could be as a result of many things. A lot of people experience CD4 fluctuations, to see other similar questions please follow this link. Once you are on treatment the most important thing is that your viral load decreases and then remains undetectable which it sounds as if it’s doing.
I was diagnosed with HIV in March of this year 2010. I have not started treatments my last blood work showed that my CD4 count is 590 and viral load 10,000. Should I be concerned?
What are normal CD4 fluctuations? In April of 2010 my CD4 level was down to 78; I began treatment in June (Atripla) and it went to 122 in July, then 168 in August, then 194 in October, but down to 173 in December 2010. I was dismayed at this downturn yet my viral load is now at 72, down from 159 in October, and from 947 which is what it was in August. I had the PCP in April when I was diagnosed with HIV and have been on Bactrim and Zithromax since; and I have to say I feel just great, also gaining some 70 pounds since April when I was down to 100 (I’m now around 170). I was just concerned by this downturn in the CD4 level as I had hoped it would go over 200. I, of course see the doctor regularly; every 2-3 months. Thanks!
Hello,
I am sorry to hear that your family member is having a hard time at the moment. It is possible that what has happened is that she has some resistance to the medications. In rare cases it could be that she has had resistance for a while but as resistant strains of HIV are not as strong as the ‘normal’ or ‘wild-type’ HIV virus there were very few present and so this did not show up on the resistance test. Once she started taking the medication to kill the wild-type virus there was space for the resistant virus to grow.
This is nothing to worry about as there are lots of alternative drugs she can take to bring her viral load under control once again. She needs to do another resistance test to see which drugs she can no longer take. If you let me know which drugs she was taking and which drugs she is resistant to then I can give you some information about which treatments she could use as alternatives.
Please pass on our best wishes to your family member
Charlie
A family member was diagnosed with AIDS about 7 months ago. After a lengthy hospital stay she was released with a CD4 level of 4. Two months later after taking HAART drugs her CD4 was up to 28 and her viral load was at 1100. I took her for her check up last week. her Dr called today very concerned and asked if she was taking her meds. Her CD4 is back down to 19 and her viral load has jumped to 75000. Does this mean the HAART drugs are no longer working? She takes her meds very faithfully.