Question
How can I get my CD4 count to increase?
26 May 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
Hi – what can I do to help increase my CD4? I have just found out I am at undetectable level after 8 weeks on treatment which is great. my CD4 has gone from 95 to 166 (after 4 weeks) and is now 173 after 8 weeks. I know it can take time for the CD4 to recover when the base level is low as mine but I am still disheartened as I was really hoping for it to have rebounded a bit better than this. What can I do to help it increase? Many thanks for your advice.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Your CD4 count is doing really well and increasing nicely. Most people take 6-12 months for their CD4 counts to increase significantly. You are doing really well and have nothing to feel disheartened about.
There is very little anyone can do to increase their CD4 counts accept using HIV treatment which you are already doing. However, there are some things that you can do to maintain your CD4 count and ensure it stays up. This includes eating a healthy balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, not getting stressed out, not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation and generally looking after yourself.
Hi Chip,
It sounds like your workouts are great, even if they are less energetic than before.
But how long have you been HIV positive? Were you on different meds before July 2018, or was that when you tested positive with a CD4 of 138?
Starting ART can reduce viral load dramatically quickly and get to undetectable within a few months. But CD4 counts usually recover slowly. Here’s a page from ART in Pictures on HIV after starting ART.
It’s good that you share all supplements info with your doctor so they can feedback as they have.
However, ART is the only way that can help increase CD4 count. It sounds like you’re doing all you can with your diet and exercise.
If you’ve been on ART for longer 7 months please let us know your previous results and the meds you’ve been on.
My viral load is 0, been on Biktarvy since July 2018 and T-Cell 138. My last two MD visits (3 mos apart – recent Feb 2019) and blood draws show no improvement in Tcell aka C4 cell count. I am disappointed in the lack of increase and MD states due to my age 70, it will take more time. Yet we both felt a better improvement would show for the Feb 2019 blood draw. I do confess a few changes being little sleep such as 5hrs, five nights per week ‘vs’ 8Hrs and extremely intense weight lifting for my age [bar bells, squats, bench press, etc – – weights are light, but repetitions are not. I ask if more protein would help increase the count &/or adding any supplements. I do share all supplements with my MD such my daily Iron and Fish Oil with his feedback to not take the iron with food, but 2-3hrs outside of eating. Please ADD YOUR TIPS to increase the count.
Hi Connie,
If your husband is negative this means that you contracted HIV from someone else. Have you had risks with other partners? Starting ARVS is the right thing to do, more so because you’re pregnant. There’s info about this here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
With regards to your husband, up until now he’s just been lucky. Now that you’re fully aware of your status until your viral load becomes undetectable you’ll need to use condoms when having sex.
Hi,
I first tested 4 years ago and it showed positive on the strip then I took lab tests they said my Cd4 count is ok now I tested positive again with a strip the results were positive and I did lab tests my Cd4 count is 668 but because I am pregnant they want me to start arvs, my husband tests negative always, how is it possible that I’m positive but I don’t take mediacation and no side effects all this time
Hi Tumelo,
You’re on medication so you’re already doing the best thing that you can for your health. You are though going to need to be very careful, this is because your CD4 count is very low. Ideally you should be getting specialist care, and you’ll need to follow the advice that’s in this link: http://i-base.info/qa/4643
I’m so scared my cd4 is 4 and viral is more than million…I don’t loose weight but loosing strength…I started my New treatment this month coz the old one didn’t work… please help with boosters
Hi Anonymous,
Though your CD4 is rising, there is an issue here with your viral load. ARVs are supposed to make a persons viral load decrease, not increase. If your viral load is increasing this means that the meds that you’re taking aren’t working. You’ll need to talk to your doctor about changing to another combination.
I was diagnosed a year ago March 2018, my cd4 was 500+ and viral load of 13 000. 3 months later cd4 was 550+ and viral load of 17 000 , 3 months after that cd4 of 570+ viral load of 100 000 and now at 350 000 with cd4 still at 570+….
Is this normal to have an increase in both counts? I would also like to find out about the type of viruses (1 or 2) and of what relevance they are.
Hi Keith,
Thanks for sharing with us your positive words, it sounds like you’re doing great.
I have been positive for 36 years. My viral load is 0 and T4 cell is 713. Once in 1996 after having PCP my viral load was 2 million and T4 was 0. Then the protease inhibitors saved my life!
I eat well, never miss my meds., and fast walk three miles a day.
Keeping a healthy diet, daily exercise, a positive attitude, and love will give you a long life with HIV.