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, I’m sorry about your diagnosis. Finding out you’re HIV positive can be tough. It’s a really good idea to take time to think about HIV treatment (ART).
Everyone worries about starting treatment, but you can use this month to discuss starting ART with your doctor. You can make a list about ART, such as if there will be side effects, and how to change treatment if you’re affected by them.
And you can ask about how to take you’re meds. For example, do you have to take them with or without food. ART must be taken every day and so you can work out how to make it as easy as possible to fit in with your schedule.
You can also ask the doctor if you can delay for a few more weeks if you need time. But it’s very important to find out if your health is good enough to delay starting.
You can find out more about starting ART here.
Hey I have just found out that I’m positive and I’m still in shock. Taking the treatment will only remind me of myself being positive. So is there something I can do to keep healthy for at least a month by then I guess I will be ready to start treatment.
Hi Diana – both parts of your comment are true. Firstly, with a CD4 count of 54 there is still a risk of serious complication – so starting treatment is very important. Secondly, treatment still works even at low CD4 counts – so there is good reasons to believe that proper treatment will help the CD4 count recover to safer levels. This will dramatically reduce the risk of illness or a shorter life :)
If a person had a T cell count of 54 are they at immediate risk to die or can they survive by taking the proper Meds , ARV?
Hi Jane – missing meds is not good. If this is just once or twice then you are likely to be okay. If it is more often than this, then please talk to your doctor for additional support.
I have skip my ARVS dose can that have an effect on me .
Hi Daniel
A small percentage of people – perhaps about 5% – do not get a CD4 increase after starting ART. The reasons for this have not been explained but might be a combination of the previous impact or HIV, or to do with your “normal” CD4 count (ie irrespective of HIV.
Without more details about your individual hisotry it is diffeicult to talk more about this.
Unfortunately there is no such thing as an “immune-booster”. Despite the advertiing there are no natural products that increase your CD4 count.
It might be that your normal CD4 count is low and so the lack of an increase isn’t something that will put you at risk of other infections. One prominant UK doctor who is HIV negative, often uses himself as an example or someone who has a natural CD4 count of about 350.
What is your CD4 percentage (CD4%) and CD8 count? These will help your doctor discuss whther the low CD4 count is a concern.
Hi there. I have been on ART for almost a year and I found that my CD4 is still at 345 count, which I feel that I need to increase it. However, I find conflicting info on the web on taking natural remedies (such as Echinacea) that could boost immune system for it afraid that it might overstimulate it. So, what should I do to increase the immune system then?
Thank you!
This may be old but I felt like contributing. Suppose there were immune boosters that can help increase your CD4 cells, you will definitely use them but not ART. Those boosters are ARV’s, so use them. They have been tested and everyone use them. Better start treatment early so you can spend quality life with those who love and need you, and contribute positively towards economy of your country.
Hi David
Are you taking HIV treatment? This is important to make your CD4 count higher and to keep you well in the future.