Question
What is the normal range for CD8? Does it change soon after infection?
2 December 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
What is the normal range of cd8 in healthy persons and does it increase or decrease after getting hiv infection?
Answer
The normal range for CD8 is 150-1000 cells/mm3.
CD8 counts tend to increase after HIV infection but also reduce after starting treatment.
CD4 and CD8 cells are used by the immune system to attack and break down an infection. CD8 cells are called the ‘killer cells’ and they recognise and kill cells that are infected with a virus. Sometimes these process and function overlap and is also known as cellular immunity. CD4 cells are called the ‘helper cells’ because they help the immune response by sending signals to CD8 cells.
With HIV, the CD4 count is used to track the progression of HIV infection and disease. The CD4 cells count may be compared to the CD8 cell count, and the result is expressed as a ratio (CD4:CD8). However the absolute CD4 T-cell count is the most important value.
The normal range of CD4 count for a HIV negative person is between 400 – 1600 cells/mm3. Your CD4 count will drop a few weeks after infection with HIV. Then as the body immune system begins to fight back, it will slowly go up again. It usually takes about 3 – 6 months after the infection stabilised, but for some people it can take longer. If you are newly diagnosed then you would need your CD4 test done every 3 months.
Please see this link for more information.
Hi Joan,
Sorry to hear about you diagnosis. Are you also HIV positive? This online resource is for HIV treatment information.
I have MS and both my CD4 & 8 are low. What does this indicate?
Hi Albert,
The normal range for CD8 is 150-1000 cells/mm3. CD8 counts tend to increase after HIV infection but also reduce after starting treatment. The normal range of CD4 count for a HIV negative person is between 400 – 1600 cells/mm3. Your CD4 count will drop a few weeks after infection with HIV. Please see this Q&A for more info.
In HIV negative people, the normal range for the CD4:CD8 ratio is between 0.9 and 1.9. This means that there are about 1 to 2 CD4 cells for every CD8 cell. Please see this Q&A for info on CD4:CD8 ratio.
My cd4 is340 my cd8is 1800 what does that mesn
Hi Mike,
From what you’ve said you aren’t positive.
Mike. 25 – August 2018
Hi I just had a battle of blood work done to go on prep truvada. Well my blood work came back. At. CD4 at 484 . My CD 8 at 46 and the helpers at 78 .and at the end the hiv1 and all of the hiv test came back as antibody not found no laboratory evidence of HIV .. I’m lost until I go see my doc on weds I need help to understand if I have hiv or it could be some sickness .what else can bring down the cd4 any please help me ..thank
Hi Kristi,
The difference between your CD8 count and CD4 count shows the ratio. And your CD4 count can tell you how strong your immune system is. As it says here the CD4:CD8 ratio is also sometimes used as a guide to your immune system, but less often. This ration is a measure of how balanced your immune function is.
However, if you get a CD4 count that is ever unexpectedly high or low, then your CD4% (CD4 percentage) can show whether this is a real change in immune function. The CD4% is a more stable marker than the absolute CD4 count.
The CD4 percentage refers to percentage of total white blood cells (lymphocytes) that are CD4 cells.
My cd8 count is high 918 does that show theres a new infection in me? My cd4 are up to 420
Hi Lingi,
ARVs control a persons CD4 count. What’s your current ratio?
What can I do to increase the cd4/cd8 ratio