Question
Why has my CD4 count dropped?
18 September 2013. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
My CD4 count was 300 in Nov 2012, that was when I started ARVs.
I found out I was HIV+ in Sep 2012.
My CD4 count dropped to 270 in Aug 2013. I take my meds regularly. Is it common for CD4 counts to drop and what can I do to make it better?
Answer
Hello,
Thanks for your email.
CD4 counts fluctuate. They go up and down. For example, CD4 counts are lower when you first wake up and higher later in the day. There is not a big difference between a result of 270 and 300.
Do you get your viral load checked at the clinic? When you are on treatment checking your viral load is a good way to know whether treatment is working well or not. If your CD4 count is not increasing, or it is going down, it’s important to know whether your treatment is working properly. A viral load test will be able to check this. If treatment is working well your viral load should be less than 50.
If you don’t have access to viral load tests it is important to keep checking your CD4 count regularly. If it does continue to decrease you may need to change treatment because this could be a sign that you have some drug resistance.
Hello Judy and thanks for getting in touch.
I believe you are talking about your viral load, not your CD4 count.
The viral load shows how much virus can be found in your blood.
The CD4 count shows how strong your immune system is.
It is not uncommon for the viral load to become detectable.
If it remains under 200 copies/ml then it’s considered a blip. Blips resolve on their own most of the time.
If the viral load is more than 1000 copies/ml then your doctors are right to consider other medication.
Until a decision has been reached and while you wait for the next test it might be helpful to try the following:
– stop any supplements and over the counter medication you might be taking unless the doctor prescribed them for you
– take your medication with food
– speak with your pharmacist to ensure there are no interactions between your ARVs and other prescription medication you might be taking
– Make sure you don’t miss any doses. See the link for some adherence tips:
https://i-base.info/guides/starting/adherence-tips
Please do not worry. It seems your doctors are on top of it.
They might want you to try different medication, a different combination but that might mean it will manage to get you to undetectable again.
Feel free to stay in touch if you want to discuss this more
I was diagnose in 2016 at 27 weeks pregnant. I started my ARV and my CD4 count dropped to undetectable. It remained undetectable until 2024 Cd4 when it started being detectable. I am now undetectable again but the doctors are considering changing my medication as I have been detectable throughout these years. I am very stressed, no longer sleeping, trying to stay healthy, but I am scared for my kids. Please help
Hi Busisiwe,
Where you told what your viral load is? Have you been adhering to your medication?
I’m also worried about my cd4 count it was 127 when I found out that I’m HIV positive Nd my second results was 44 and Im worried because I’m pregnant and is my child gonna be infected