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 Sheila, I’m really sorry to hear about these distressing symptoms!
Can you tell me the name of your treatment-and what you were taking previously? This will help me to understand your situation more clearly.
nhi there i am hiv positive and i am currently on medication. I have had my medication changed several times due to side effects and the one i am on is currently making me itching, the rash has been quite bad that its left me with scarring on my body. My doctor seems resistant to change my medication, also i find i seem to have lipodystophy and its really getting me down.i am in zimbabwe and the stigma associated with HIV is still very high. I have had a blood test recently and am waiting to see what my cd4 count is as it was very low before.Are there any meds which can reverse the symptomsof lipodystophy and itching/rash as these are my main worries. i eat healthy and try and look after myself but i am distressed by these changes.
Hi Mpho,
CD4 counts go up and down, and this isn’t something you need to worry about. Your CD4 count is very strong and suggests your immune system is doing well. For more information about CD4 counts please see our CD4 FAQs.
Hi I’m hiv positive nd I just found out last year september,I did nothing by then until this year much,my cd4 count was 448 in march nd I did another test last month,it has increased to 653 I just want to know if its possible or should I worry,I’m 22 years from south africa
Hi Poppy,
I’m very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Finding out you are HIV+ is never easy, especially when you’re pregnant. Your CD4 count is very good though, which means your body is still strong. This is why you haven’t been unwell. Don’t worry about reacting in the wrong way- everybody reacts differently! You might find these pages helpful: newly diagnosed, and HIV and pregnancy. It may also help to get some support or counseling. Which country do you live in?
Hi I recently tested HIV+. I was so shocked everything became blurry. I did react I didn’t even have tears even now could I be in denial. I tested neg for TB but was given pyridoxine and norstan isoniaz. My CD4 is 600 I was also given AZT as I’m 15wkz preg. I waz told I won’t start ARVs. Syphilis test was non reactive.So wat does this mean I’ve never been sick or have any symptoms.
Hi Steve. CD4 counts fluctuate, as is exlpained in this previous question. It’s also possible that you were diagnosed in early infection. As this graph shows the CD4 count drops when somebody is newly infected, and then recovers a bit. Either way it’s important to get regular check ups. Most treatment guidelines recommend starting treatment when your CD4 count is 350 or below. So that you are ready to start when you need treatment, please read over our Introduction to combination therapy guide.
earlier this year i was diagnosed with hiv my cd4 count was 270 then 3 months later it raised to 390. my doctors cannot explain, why it went up. any advice? i have not done anything different and im not taking meds. i am in the army and our unit deploys to high hiv infected areas. my question to you if its normal to raise from 270 to 390 with out taking any meds or changing my normal routines or habits?
Hi Portia,
If you have lost a lot of weight without trying to it’s important to talk to your doctor about this. Your CD4 count is quite high so you wouldn’t expect to be losing weight because of HIV. This may be a sign of another infection or health condition.
I was tested positive and my CD4 is 381. What’s stressing me is my weight, what can I do to gain it back?