Question
How can I improve my CD4 count when I am already on treatment?
2 March 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
How to improve my CD4 count of 210? Is it dangerous at this stage? I was stressed and it has never been so low. I take daily Truvada (tenofovir and FTC) and Viramune (nevirapine). How can I improve it? Will more sleep help? I eat healty foods.
Thank you.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am sorry to hear that you are stressed at the moment and that it is affecting your CD4 count. A CD4 count of 210 isn’t bad at all and is nothing to worry about.
How long have you been on medication? If you have recently started then it is possible that as you continue taking your meds your CD4 count will increase. Trying to reduce your stress levels or learning to manage your stress better could also help.
Other things that can help to increase CD4 counts include the same things that are advised for general health. Try to eat a balanced diet, sleep well, exercise, stop smoking, and only use alcohol or recreational drugs in moderation.
It is also possible that your CD4 count is just fluctuating and that it will naturally go back up on its own. Either way it is nothing to worry about. Once you have started treatment the most important thing to monitor is your viral load. As long as that remains undetectable your treatment is working.
Hi I’m 32 years old female. I tested HIV positive last year in August. My CD4 count was 599. I’m on ARVs. Now my problem is, is that I sometimes feel sick, its worse in the morning.
Hi Leon,
Congratulations on your pregnancy. How are you doing?
A CD4 of 20 is low. Are you on treatment? If you aren’t then you need to start treatment as soon as possible. This is because you are at a greater risk of developing HIV related complications.
We’ve a detailed answer here that gives info for people who have a CD4 below 50:
https://i-base.info/qa/4643
Because you’re pregnant its important that you take meds. That is if you aren’t already on them. This is because the meds will help your HIV. And they will also reduce the risk of you transmitting HIV to your baby. There’s more info about this in our HIV and pregnancy guide:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Do you have any other health issues?
I’m 20 weeks pregnant. I went for my check up and was told that my CD4 is 22. Should I be worried?
Hi Mandu,
How long have you been on treatment for?
Though a CD4 of 73 is still low, it has risen. If you continue to take your meds, it will continue to rise. The only real thing that can help your CD4 is ARVs. However, a good diet and exercise will also help your general well-being.
my cd4 was 40 and now 73 which is very low, I am on ARD. what can I do to boost my cd4 court?
Hi James,
I’m sorry but people who work for i-base are treatment advocates, not medical doctors. Therefore, you will need to talk to a medical doctor.
Dear doctor .I am 20 year old,i started to take my med when i was 9 years and now i am starting experience sore on my anus. Is it going to affect me, because it’s taking another level.what should i do cause i have tried every medication to fight agaist it .
Hi deveria,
It sounds like you are having side effects. Theses usually go within 2-4 weeks. Are you taking Atripla, or a generic version of Atripla? If you are, then please see the following link:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
Hi…I recently found out that am positive and my CD4 was 490.and I was later put on med.but each time I take my med I become weak,drizzy and feel like am dying.what could be wrong?
Hi Vincent, most guidelines recommend treatment for anyone who is HIV positive. When CD4 criteria are still included then treatment is strongly recommended for anyone with a CD4 count less than 350.