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.
What suggestions does anyone have for increasing my cd4 count? It has dropped from 397 to 287 in 6 months. I am on Stribild, exercise every day and eat healthy. Currently, I have AVN of the right humerus and waiting surgery but the surgeon will not operate due to my low count.
Hi,
I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis. A CD4 count of 836 is strong. It is common for treatment guidelines to say that people should start treatment once their CD4 has fallen to 350. This is the case in the UK and in South Africa for example. This is because up till now research has not shown any long term health benefit to starting earlier.
You can find more information about being newly diagnosed here:
http://i-base.info/if-you-have-just-found-out-you-are-hiv-positive/
And more information about starting treatment here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
I tested in April 2014 and am HIV positive but at my clinic did not give me any medication. I asked why and they say my CD4 is more than 350 it was 826.
Hi,
Are you on treatment yet?
Often when someone has recently been infected their CD4 count will drop but then rise again as your body starts fighting the HIV. Eventually however it will start to fall. When it has fallen to a certain point (in the U.K. this is 350) treatment is started and CD4 usually starts rising again.
A CD4 count of 962 is strong and well within the range of what is considered ‘normal’ for someone who does not have HIV.
I found out that im HIV positive in 2010 and my CD4 was on 620. After 3 months i went back to check and it went up to 962 so i want to know what i can do to increase my level.
Hi,
Alcohol has no interaction with HIV medication so it will not affect the way it works. Drinking alcohol will not increase your CD4 count. The only way to do this is to be on HIV treatment.
If you are on treatment adherence is really important. This means taking you pills everyday and at the same time. Drinking too much alcohol regularly could affect your ability to do this.
You can find more information about adherence here: http://i-base.info/guides/starting/adherence
Is alcohol helpful for increasing the CD4 count?
Hi,
It is normal for CD4 count to gradually drop while you are not on HIV treatment. A count of 754 is strong. UK guidelines do not recommend that you start treatment until your CD4 has fallen to 350.
You can find more information about CD4 here:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting/cd4-count-and-viral-load
When I tested for the first time in October 2013 my CD count was 800, now after 6 months it is at 754. Should I be concerned
Hi Nomvula
If your treatment is difficult you need to talk to your doctor. The doctor then needs to go through why you are having this trouble.
It might be that you could switch to an alternative. First though the doctor needs to know whether these are side effects or something else.