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.
I’m having a problem with my hiv med,it doesn’t want to go down I feel like I’m dying after taking it. On regiment 2 now the is no way that they can change me on one pill. My cd4 is 614 now I want to leave them and take other options pls help with opinion
Hi Diye
Whether or not you continue the ARVs after your baby is born depends on many things. It is also something that there are different views on.
Some people think that once you have started HIV meds it is easier to carry on. Some guidelines recommend this even if someone has a very high CD4 count.
Other guidelines are more flexible. If the CD4 count over 500, some people think that as your wouldn’t need to be on treatment for your own health, this gives the option to stop and just monitor again.
Better still is for you to have this choice and to discuss both options with your doctor and other health workers.
See the section on “After he baby is born” in this guide to HIV and pregnancy for more information.
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi, I’m preggies and hiv pos with viral load of 20somthing(forgot) thousand and cd4 of 430, now my gynea adviced me to stop the Atroiza after birth but my medical aid said I must cont. I’m confused now. Help me pls
Hi Loise
HIV treatment guidelines all recommend that using HIV meds is important. With a CD4 count of 250 your doctor should already be talking to you about this.
Although most people are worried about starting treatment, this is the only way to protect your health in the long term.
Please talk to your doctor. Your health is important and HIV meds are very effective.
I am HIV positive and I have been on treatment for over 15 years.
my Cd4 count is 250 am not on drugs advice am becoming week daily and i need a positive man to keep me encouraged am fearing to start drugs
Hi Denise
General advise for a healthy lifestyle may help – eating well, taking exercise, sleeping feel and reducing stress, smoking and alcohol.
Other than this, it is good that when you do need treatment base your CD4 count drops a little, it is good that you can get this. After treatment, your CD4 count should go back up again to higher levels, but there is very little risk of HIV-related problems while your CD4 count is still so high.
if your CD4 counts are above 600 what more can u do to keep it high? This is because the new CD4 count to go on ARVs in Namibia is 500.
As the question above explains herbs, supplements and traditional therapies do not increase the CD4 count. The only way to increase the CD4 is to take antiretrovirals (ARVs).
Hi can I take local herbs to increase on my CD4 count?
Am hiv postive my cd4 450 and viraload is high and i want to start de family so what must a do or i have to start Treatment?