Question
My CD4 count has gone down quickly should I be worried?
7 March 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
I was diagnosed in November and both my CD4 and my viral load were about 1100 at the time.
I had another appointment today, and currently, my CD4 is 650, and my viral load stayed the same.
Why such a large drop in such a small period of time? I was under the impression that the CD4 count decreases at a rate of about 100 a year, so I definitely was not expecting this :(
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am sorry to hear you are disappointed with your CD4 count. I have to say though, a CD4 count of 650 is very good!
CD4 fluctuations are common. CD4 count results can depend on many things such as the time of day a test is done, exercise, menstrual cycle, stress, how much sleep you had, other underlying infections, vaccinations and lab mistakes. If you are worried and fluctuations are occurring regularly it may be worth talking to your doctor about having multiple tests done at one time to ensure it is not a lab error.
Only a small proportion of CD4 cells are found in the blood, the rest are found in either your lymph nodes or tissues. The CD4 cells travel between the blood, the lymph nodes and tissues. This movement of CD4 cells in and out of the blood could also cause fluctuations in your test results. Please try not to worry about this as stress can cause a decrease in the CD4 count and your CD4 count really is good!
Hi Richard, is this your CD4 or your CD8 count? and what was the result of the previous test you had taken?
Are you living with HIV? and if so do you know your current viral load and are you on treatment?
My t-cell count was good and then it went to 136 . Is that low enough for disability?