Question
What is the normal range for CD4 count?
23 January 2012. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
What is the normal range for CD4 count?
Answer
The normal CD4 range for HIV negative people is between 400 – 1600 cells/mm3
For more information on CD4 count please take a look at this link:
https://i-base.info/ttfa/section-1/7-cd4-count-as-a-surrogate-marker/
And this one soon interpreting results:
https://i-base.info/ttfa/section-1/9-interpreting-cd4-results-cd4-count-and-cd4-percentage/
Hi Pierre,
Has your CD4 count been quite stable around 600, or does it vary a lot? Having the flu might affect a CD4 count, but is unlikely to have a significant effect on your CD4 percentage. Usually the CD4 percentage is fairly stable and doesn’t change quickly.
The CD4 percentage isn’t usually used to decide when adults should start treatment but your CD4 percentage is lower than would be expected for a CD4 count of 637. Some studies have suggested that a low CD4 percentage may be an independent predictor of disease progression even when your CD4 count is higher. There isn’t a great deal of evidence around this though. It’s important to discuss this with your doctor, and check that this is a correct result. You can read more about CD4 percentages at this previous question.
Please let me know if you have any questions after reading this!
Hi I have been HIV positive for 15 years I am not on treatment, I did some blood test lately and my CD4 count was 637 , I thought that was a good new but the nurse told me to star a treatment soon as my percentage was 13 I don’t know what she meant as it was over the phone , I had the flu when I did the blodd test could it be the reason , thank you
Hi Annah,
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis- how are you coping?
A CD4 count of 644 is very good. Anything above 500 is considered ‘normal’ so you should not feel worried about this.
There’s no way to increase your CD4 count, except by taking ARVs (HIV meds). In most countries you don’t start ARVs until your CD4 count is 350 or below though. It could take months, or years, before you reach this level. In the meantime it’s important to look after your general health, and access support to help you deal with your diagnosis if you need this. Your clinic should be able to suggest a local support group, or if you tell me which country you live in I can try to suggest something.
I have recently tested for hiv and i was found hiv positive. My CD4 count is 644, so what should i do in order to increase my CD4 count?
Hi George,
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. But it’s good that you are feeling so healthy. Your CD4 count is low, but many people who are diagnosed with CD4 counts this low do well on treatment. Because your CD4 count is under 200 you would usually be recommended to take an antibiotic called co-trimoxazole. This has various names including Purbac, Seprtin and Bactrim. This is used to help prevent you avoid opportunisitc infections like PCP (a type of pneumonia), toxoplasmosis, and various bacterial infections. Do you know if you are being given this?
About 25-50% of people with a CD4 count below 50 who start treatment experience symptoms of IRIS (Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome). This is where the immune system, as it starts to recover, suddenly realises that there are a lot of infections it has to fight against that it was perviously too weak to react to. This can cause additional infections like TB and CMV to show and patient can sometimes start to feel quite ill. However, the good new is that whilst IRIS can make things a little more complicated, it is easy to treat. For more information please follow this link.
If your wife is taking a treatment combination which includes efavirenz this is likely to be the cause of her dizziness. This is a common side effect of this drug and should improve after a few weeks. You should both speak to your doctor about any symptoms or side effects though so that these can be treated if needed.
I have recently been tested and my CD4 count was 43. The doctor has just prescribed treatment. What does this imply in as far as my health is concerned. Am very healthy, my wife’s cd4 count was 460 and she has been advised to start treatment since we still want to have a baby. She has started and the drugs make her dizzy most of the time. Are there ant supplements that you can recommend for me since my cd4 count is way too low. I feel like a dead man walking though my health is perfect
Hi Linda,
For information about when to start treatment please see our Introduction to combination therapy guide. Please let me know if you have any questions after looking here.
His cd4 count was 897 and viral load 400 is it ok for him to start medication just diagnised recently.
Hi Thokozile, there are lots of couples in your situation. Please see our FAQs about this topic. Let me know if you still have questions after reading this!
my husband and i sleeps together everyday but whenever we go for hiv testing. he is negative. im positive.anyone to answer pls