Question
How can I improve my CD4 count when I am already on treatment?
2 March 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
How to improve my CD4 count of 210? Is it dangerous at this stage? I was stressed and it has never been so low. I take daily Truvada (tenofovir and FTC) and Viramune (nevirapine). How can I improve it? Will more sleep help? I eat healty foods.
Thank you.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am sorry to hear that you are stressed at the moment and that it is affecting your CD4 count. A CD4 count of 210 isn’t bad at all and is nothing to worry about.
How long have you been on medication? If you have recently started then it is possible that as you continue taking your meds your CD4 count will increase. Trying to reduce your stress levels or learning to manage your stress better could also help.
Other things that can help to increase CD4 counts include the same things that are advised for general health. Try to eat a balanced diet, sleep well, exercise, stop smoking, and only use alcohol or recreational drugs in moderation.
It is also possible that your CD4 count is just fluctuating and that it will naturally go back up on its own. Either way it is nothing to worry about. Once you have started treatment the most important thing to monitor is your viral load. As long as that remains undetectable your treatment is working.
Hi Albert,
If there was an issue your viral load would have rebounded. Due to your viral load being undetectable this means that your HIV is under control. CD4 counts fluctuate all the time as the following explains: https://i-base.info/qa/424
My cd 4 6 months ago was 789 wnt for blood work last week they called an said my cd4 was 499 it droped alot but i am still undetectable it under 20 an has been for over 10 years an ive been living wirh hiv for 20 years should i be concerned an what measures can i take ro improve my cd4 level
Hi Angel,
It’s great that viral load is undetectable. And your CD4 count looks strong at 712.
However, we are not doctors at i-Base. But it’s important that you talk to your doctor about your treatment for TB. You can also ask for tests to check your liver function and the reason for yellowish eyes.
What ARVs are you taking? Please let us know, and tell us how you get on with the other treatments too.
Hi I’ve been taking ARVs from 2012 and started to have a persistent cough since January 2018. January 2020 was diagnosed with miliary TB although I had no signs except for the cough that won’t go away. I have been recently feeling very weak when my eyes turned yellowish I decided to go to the Dr. Bloods were done my CD 4 came back as 712 and viral load is lower than detectable however the doctor says my liver is damaged. I am very worried
Hi Thabisa.
i-base advocate aren’t medical doctors. If you’re suffering from too much acid, you’ll need to talk to your doctor again. They should be able to prescribe something for you.
Hi I’m a lady of 39 years i started Arvs since 2007 now I’m not feeling well when I went to the doctor she said I’m having too much acid in the body and too much stress so I would to know what must i use to neutralise acid
Hi Gloria,
How long have you been taking ARVs for? What is your viral load history?
Am taking my meds bt my viral load is high and cd 4 count