Question
How can I boost my CD4 over 200? Can I eat oysters and sushi?
6 July 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load.
I am trying to get my cd4 up and wanted to see what I can do to help it push along? I am on meds but my cd4 is still below 200 (since diagnosed 4 months ago). I am undetectable though which is good.
will drinking alcohol make it come up less quick? what other lifestyle changes can I make?
Also, I read in one of the NAM pamphlets that those with CD4s less than 200 are not allowed sushi or oysters – is this true? I love both and would like to see if I am allowed to eat them.
Answer
Without knowing your CD4 count before treatment or the count now, it is difficult to comment in any detail.
In general, it is probably better for your CD4 count to gradually increase over the first year or two of treatment that to dramatically jump up quickly. Many of the highest risks of a low CD4 count come when this is less than 50 and then less than 100. It could easily take a while to get above 200, but the main thing is that you are on treatment now. There isn’t anything you can do to help this increase faster. Stress and worry might keep it lower though.
As your susceptibility to gut infections related to food and hygiene are still a bit higher when your count is below 200, and maybe even when below 350, continuing to be cautious about food for a bit longer might be a good idea.
This isn’t a law though, just advice. Sushi every now and then from a good supplier is probably fine. Anyone can have good or bad luck with an oyster, whatever their CD4 count. Food poisoning is horrible. Similarly lots of HIV-positive people eat sushi. The caution is that when your CD4 count is under 200 your immune system is a bit less strong.
Lots of advice about food cautions are historical from before there was effective treatment. It is still important if your CD4 count is under 100, and this includes avoiding salads that you have not washed yourself. Once your CD4 count is increasing again on treatment continued problems with bugs like crytosporidium or microsproidium are not widely reported.
Hi Ruth, how long have you been taking ARVs? As long as you are taking your ARVs everyday, this is the best and only way to improve your CD4 count. As long as smoking snuff and drinking does not cause you to forget your ARVs, these habits will not effect your CD4 count. CD4 count recovery can be slow. Starting from lower counts can make the recovery even slower. What was your CD4 count when you were diagnosed?
My cd4 is 134 what must I do to pick up I’m taking arv i smoke snuf f i drink
Hi Ebola, CD4 counts range from about 400 to 1600 in people who are HIV negative. Your current CD4 count is already lower than this, so you have probably been HIV positive for a while. ART is recommended for everyone though, so your doctor is giving you good advice. ART should increase your CD4 count to normal levels.
Hi, my cd4 count is 239 is it normal? i have to take ART
Hi Lisa,
Do you know what your viral load is? If this is undetectable, then even if your CD4 may not have increased as much as you’d have liked, your HIV is under control.
With CD4’s they can take time to rise, CD4’s also fluctuate during the course of the day, so it could actaully be higher.
I tested last year my cd4 count was 176 its been year now its 260 is normal?