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.
Hi Mitchelle, can I ask why you have not been taking your meds for the last month? Do you know what your current CD4 count and viral load is?
Are you planning to go back on your treatment? It is important that you have a viral load test a few weeks after restarting to check that your treatment is working well.
Immunadue is a supplement and like most supplements, has no evidence to support it boosting your immune system. The best way to ensure the health of your immune system is by taking your HIV meds. This is the best way to suppress your viral load and allow your body to naturally recover it’s CD4 count. The body does not need ‘boosting’ to do this, but it does require that HIV is suppressed.
If/when you decide to go back on treatment, there is a risk of interaction between your HIV meds and Immunadue. The supplement can reduce how much HIV treatment is absorbed by the body. To avoid this it is best to take them at different ends of the day e.g., HIV meds in the morning and Immunadue in the evening.
Hi Doctor It’s been a month not taking my Meds and have decided to take Immune Booster called Immunadue are they gonna be okay to boost me
Hi Mavis, what is the name of your HIV meds? If you are having trouble taking them, please talk to your doctor. It is important to either find meds that are easier to to find a way to take them that doesn’t make you sick. This could include a small ani-sickness meds that might help. The only way to improve your CD4 count is to use HIV meds, but I am sure this will be ok. This is important both for your health and for your baby.
Hello what can I do to improve my CD4count cause it’s 146 it’s low ,I’m pregnant and I don’t take my meds cause when I take them I’m vomiting,is there anything other things that can help me improve my CD4count besides ARV?
Hi Tshidi, what treatment are you on? how much weight have you lost and over what time period?
Do you know what your current CD4 count is? and have you had any other symptoms e.g., fevers and/or night sweats?
Are you currently a healthy weight? You can work out your BMI here to assess if your weight is healthy: https://www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/calculate-your-body-mass-index/calculate-bmi-for-adults
What have you tried to gain weight?
I’m just concern about my wight loss , im on treatment but weight am not happy with
Because the time i started treament my body was well now i can’t understand what is going with my weigh
And i drink my medication right , bcs they said my kidneys are lack of water
Can you tell me to increase my weight with what
Hi July, do you know what your absolute CD4 count is? and is your CD4 count suppressed or do you mean your viral load?
As with any supplement it is advised to take them at the opposite end of the day to your HIV treatment e.g., HIV treatment in the morning and Procydin in the evening.
This gap between treatments is long enough to prevent any risk of interaction.
Good afternoon
I’m on ARV for quite sometime. My CD4 count is suppressed. Can I take a procydin tablet.
My
Hi Getty, do you know the name of the HIV treatment you are on and what your current CD4 count/viral load is?
Solonex is a treatment used to prevent Tuberculosis. It is not used to treat HIV. Was it a vitamin B6 you have been given to take along Solonex?
Both Solonex and HIV treatments are safe to take while trying to conceive and pregnancy. They are the best way to keep both you and baby healthy and prevent transmission. When taken daily, HIV treatment can suppress HIV viral load to below 200. When this happens there is no risk of transmission to your partner and it will be safe to have sex without a condom.
This is explained by U-U: https://i-base.info/u-equals-u/
Aside from HIV treatment there are no further precautions you need to take to help with your pregnancy.
They test me last year September .im hiv positive and give me solonex drug and supplement. So i want to know that can i get pregnant or which one is best way to be pregnant