Question
How can I increase my CD4 count without ARVs?
8 January 2016. Related: All topics, Newly diagnosed, South 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 Siya, it is good to heat that you are feeling well. What is your CD4 count now? It is a good sign that you are finishing your treatment for Intestinal Tb. Have your doctors mentioned if your Tb is cured? Taking your medication and feeling well is very promising. It is a sign that your HIV is managed and the Intestinal Tb is gone.
I’m finishing my intestine tb treatment so when I go back to hospital they say my cd4 count must be 350 and more so that they reverse my intestine,so I want 2 found out is it true nothing wrong 2 me took my treatment and I’m feeling well
Hi Lesmex, thank you for sharing your story. It is great to hear how well you are doing. ARV medication is how best to keep healthy with viral load and CD4 counts. Leading a healthy lifestyle, that fits into your everyday life, not only helps with HIV but also every other part of your health.
Hi!
I am 44 years old, Cuban American. If my English sounds weird, I wasn’t raised in the USA.
I was diagnosed with HIV in 2015, with only 39 t-cells and 7 000,000+ copies of HIV. After like a year, I was undetectable, now I have 680 t-cells. The blood test shows more than 20 to 30 t-cells every three months, sometimes 100 more.
Yes, they will increase. But you have to:
Take the HIV pill every day (the most important of all), eat healthy (fruits and vegetables and keep a balanced diet), Sleep 7-8 hours, take a multivitamin, don’t smoke or do drugs, work out five times per week or at least walk for 20 minutes every day. And Yes, I eat pizza, ice cream and drink in moderation, but eat a lot of vegetables too.
Just try to do what is healthy, and you will see the t-cell reaching normal levels.
Hi Zamma, immune boosters have no proven effect on CD4 count/general health. Only ARVs have been consistently proven to increase peoples CD4 counts.
What happenes if I don’t take arvs but drink immune booster
Hi Lerato, yes, it is not only good to restart treatment but it is important. Please contact your clinic and explain what happened and they should get you your meds again. I hope you are okay after the accident.
Can I go back on my treatment after I was in hospital due to car accident? I was In for a month And I just got out. I don’t have any meds and U want to know if I can re-start my medication. Thnx
Hi Carmen,
Are you saying that you’re no longer taking ARVs?
Also, you’ve said that you’ve taken three different types of ARVs, what were these?
Have you had resistance tests done?
I have taken three different hiv meds and I suffered from a full body rash could not walk due to rash. Almost one year my drs would say they didn’t kno what it was. I stopped the meds and the rash is clearing up. I’m literally learning how to walk again