Question
Why is my CD4% still so low?
7 November 2012. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
After 5 years on successful treatment – with efavirenz, lamivudine and abacavir and an undetectable Viral Load of less than 50copies for 4.5years, today I received my highest CD4 lab result of 260!
Hooray… BUT unfortunately, this good news was short lived, as my CD4 percentage is still extremely low at only 13%.
Why, won’t my immune system respond fully to HAART after 5 years?
This is making me extremely anxious and depressed.
I’m guessing that after 5 years it will not fully recover and I will always have this AIDS diagnosis.
My baseline viral load at diagnosis was 54,000 and CD4 count 03 (1%).
Answer
Thank-you for your email.
I’m sorry to hear you are so worried by your CD4 percentage. But it’s important to try not to focus too much on these numbers. Your CD4 count, viral load and CD4 percentage are all doing very well. Your response to treatment is very good, especially after starting with such a low CD4 count.
Your CD4 % is a very normal rate for somebody with a CD4 count of 260. Unless your CD4 percentage is dropping it is unlikely that there is any need to worry. As with your CD4 count it is likely that this will gradually increase over time. But CD4 percentages change gradually and you shouldn’t expect any sudden increase.
AIDS as a term is now very rarely used, and is usually not a helpful term. Your CD4 count is good and your viral load is exactly where you want it! AIDS is sometimes used to refer to a CD4 count under 200, but with your CD4 count and good health you would not longer be seen as having AIDS.
One thing to watch out for is how anxious and depressed you are feeling. Efavirenz is linked to side effects of depression. If you have noticed an increased anxiety or lowering of mood since starting efavirenz this may be a side effect of the treatment. Many people find that changing to an alternative drug can greatly improve their mental state. Please follow this link for more information about efavirenz side effects.
CD4% is usually measured at the same time as CD4 counts. You could ask your doctor to check if this is being recorded when you have your CD4 count tested.
How to find CD4%?