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 Makumaku,
It’s certainly possible to gain weight when you are HIV positive. Are you currently on treatment? What is your weight and how much have you gained?
Can,one b HIV + ,cd4 482 and b addin weight And why?
Hello Zandi,
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, and miscarriage, and to hear about the results of your Pap smear. Your doctor has given you good advice though. It is likely that what your pap smear has shown up is the HPV virus, which can cause cervical cancer. This is a common virus, especially in women with HIV. In most cases the body can clear this virus on its own without treatment. But the body needs to be strong to do this. This is why it’s important to think about starting treatment soon. HIV weakens the immune system and makes it harder to fight off infections like this.
HIV treatment is much better than it used to be and although it’s normal to be nervous there is no reason why HIV treatment shouldn’t work for you. Our Introduction to Combination Therapy has lots of information about starting treatment and should answer many of the questions you might have.
It’s important to get follow up pap smears in the future to make sure that this infection clears up. More information about cervical cancer can be found on the NAM website. If the HPV virus clears up it shouldn’t stop you having children in the future. Nor should HIV stop you having children.
Hello Maggi,
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. The only way to increase your CD4 count is to take antiretrovirals (ARVs). I haven’t heard to CTRM before, what is this?
i was tested HIv pos this year but dint know when i got infected.My CD4 for the first time was 250,but after two months of collection,it went down to 233.What can be done to increase this though am on CTRM.DO i need to get another drug or what.I have to wait till October before another test can be conducted.Thanks
Just found out that Im HIV positive last month and my cd4 is 292 doctor said I must start using the ARV and I had a miscargde in Feb so I did a papsmear results came back saying i have lites dots of cancer with infections but the doctor said the cancer can dissapear but its depending on my health Im scared to take the treatment will I be able to have kids again
Hi Chyna,
I’m very sorry to hear that you are worried about starting treatment. You’re right that it’s recommended to start treatment when the CD4 count is under 350. You’re still close to this point though which means you can take your time learning about HIV treatment so that you are confident when you start.
Have you spoken to your doctor about starting treatment and how this would be paid for? It is important to make sure that when you start treatment you will be able to keep taking it. If you can’t afford to pay for treatment you should be able to access it for free. This is something you can talk to your doctor about.
The side effects you describe are generally associated with the older HIV treatments (AZT, ddI, d4T) and not everybody experiences these. Zimbabwe does have access to newer HIV drugs which have much fewer side effects, and these should be the drugs you are offered. Modern HIV drugs have much fewer side effects and most are very easy to manage.
It is important to think about starting treatment soon. Although your body is still strong the longer you wait the more likely you will get ill. Side effects of HIV treatment are generally much easier to deal with than the opportunistic infections that can come from waiting until your CD4 gets very low. Please follow this link to our Introduction to combination therapy guide which talks through many of the questions people have about starting treatment. Please let me know if you have any questions!
Hie. I tested positive june 2011 and my cd4 ws 469. Today its down to 342 and i’ve read i should start treatment since its -350. Problem is im scared of the side- effects like losing calf and facial fat. I live in a community where discrimination is still rampant and i dont want anyone finding out. And that growth on the neck.. Omg! Im also nt sure if i cn afford treatment since its said once u start u cnt stop. Im in zimbabwe and there are long waiting lists at gvmt funded O.I clinics
Hi Zinhle,
Are you on any HIV treatment? Although the CD4 count can drop during pregnancy your CD4 is very strong and this shouldn’t worry you too much. For more information about trying for a baby please see this question: I’m HIV negative and my girfriend’s positive. Can we have a baby?
My CD 4 count is 446 and my boyfriend his still negative n now want a baby I’m scared of that my CD 4 count can drop maybe during delivery. I’m steal safe can I become pregnant?