Question
How can I increase my CD4 count without ARVs?
8 January 2016. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, Southern Africa, Starting treatment, Supplements and herbs.
I have just found out that I was HIV positive in March, last year. My CD4 count was 270.
I did another test and it was 284 and my doctor said I must start treatment.
I just want to know what I must do to increase my CD4 count without taking treatment.
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
The only way to increase your CD4 is to use HIV treatment (ART).
Your doctor is giving you good information and advice.
Nothing else, including multivitamins, supplements or herbal remedies can increase your CD4 count. Looking after yourself is important – for example, eating a balanced diet, keeping physically and mentally active, reducing stress, sleeping well etc. But increasing your CD4 count is only proven by using effective HIV meds.
Even though some companies advertise this vitamins and supplements can help your CD4 count, these are scams. There is no such thing as an “immune booster” and no “immune booster” will help your CD4 count or help control HIV.
Why do you want to delay ART or look at other options? HIV meds are really effective – this is what they were designed for.
ART stops HIV from replicating. The main aim is to reduce your viral load to an undetectable level (less than 50 copies/mL). As your viral load goes down, your immune system start to repair itself. This means that your CD4 count will slowly go up to higher levels again.
Currently South Africa recommendation starting treatment when the CD4 count is below 500 cells/mm3. This may change in the future and treatment might be recommended at any CD4 count. (Note: South African later changed to recommends treatment at any CD4 count).
Here is a link to more information about starting treatment. Please take your time reading it and if you have any further questions do write back to me.
Are you receiving any support from other people? Getting support from your local support group or a counsellor can help you to come to terms living with HIV. Also you will be able to gain and share experiences with others who are in the similar situation as you, rather than having to deal with it in isolation.
This answer was updated in January 2019 and January 2016 from a question first posted on 2 March 2012.
Hello Mapeni and thanks for getting in touch.
I am very sorry to hear you are having these symptoms.
What has your doctor said about these?
I am also not aware of such side effects related to ARVs such as cold sensation and muscle spasms.
It might be a good idea to stop the supplements for the fear of any interaction with your ARVs
For weight loss it might help you to undertake some exercise and to ensure your diet is balanced and full of healthy nutrients
Please see here for more information:
https://i-base.info/guides/side/exercise-and-staying-active
Please speak to your doctor to ensure your ARVs are still working for you and to discuss the best way forward.
Am positive but on treatment since 2023. For now am losing weight,I have painful muscle spasms which I think they make me lose weight. And always have this cold sensations on my body and sometimes on arms. These spasms are on buttocks, hinds of thighs and back of my legs. What help can I get? Even thought it might be side effects of Art medication. What worries me, is pain and weight loss. Also take vitB, selenium tablets and vitC. Kindly advice.
Hello Joey and thanks for getting in touch.
CD4 counts increase and decrease throughout life and that is normal.
I am very happy you have found supplements that work for you and that you see benefit.
However, I feel you have misunderstood our messages:
CD4 counts in people living with HIV improve mainly with ARVs.
Taking supplements without blood tests and without advice might develop toxicity.
Supplements are not regulated like medication and they don’t have to go through the same controls so their quality (the amount of the active substance, the excipients, etc.) might be different from batch to batch and their effectiveness inevitably changes.
Supplements are not going through clinical trials also so we don’t always know the effects on the body with scientific evidence.
These are all facts you can check online and in official sites.
What we suggest is for people to tell their doctors whatever symptoms they have that trouble them.
Then the doctor can assess and conduct the required tests, prescribe what is needed and monitor it.
This is the only safe way to take any medication or supplement.
You can read more about the quality of life here:
https://i-base.info/guides/side
Why do you spread misinformation that CD4 can’t increase without supplements, diet, and lifestyle? A simple vitamin D3 will increase your CD4 numbers. I am on ART, and my CD4 was constantly weak till I started to take vitamin D3, and it boosted my numbers. Also, changing my diet further increased my CD4. Also stress have a huge influence on your CD4.
Hi Sessy. There is no reason to drink cloves – sounds like a horrible idea. It certainly won’t help with HIV. This won’t help your CD4 count either.
Hi can i drink cloves if I’m hiv positive? What is gonna happen to my cd4 count?
Hello Dimpo and thanks for getting in touch.
I understand feeling anxious about testing, however there is no other way to find out.
It’s actually very common to experience feelings of unease and anxiety when you need to get tested.
You can read more about this here:
https://i-base.info/guides/testing/hiv-testing-feelings-of-fear-anxiety-and-guilt
But knowledge is power. Because you can take care of yourself when you know.
You can take action to protect yourself in the future.
As for your partner: they can now start treatment which will ensure they can have a long, healthy and active life.
When they have been on treatment for a while (and take their viral load to undetectable) they will not be able to pass on HIV to their sexual partners or children.
You can read more about this here:
https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
So please don’t worry.
Things will be alright and you both can have a really good life ahead.
Hi my partner tested Positive and am afraid to go and test