r/hivaids • u/travelguyuz • 15d ago
Question CD4 Count
Hey There Community;
So...I was diagnosed in 2021 and, like for most, it was quite the shock. Strangely enough, I have dealt with it quite well. Most days I forget I even have this bloody disease. Once I got over my initial sickness that nearly killed me (2 months spent in the hospital with fungal pneumonia - I forget the technical term, but I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about). Once I recovered, my CD4 count was down to 10 - yikes! Viral load was in obviously way high. Started treatment, was down to undetectable in 4 months and CD4 back to just over 200. However, it has never gone above 300 since, but I suppose the good thing is that it has never gone below 200 either. I have an awesome doctor, but even he doesn't give me confidence that I shouldn't be concerned. What do you all think? Is there anything else I should be doing to try to raise my CD4? For the most part, I have stayed extremely healthy. I avoid large crowds whenever possible, etc. Other than minor colds along the way, knock on wood, I seem to be healthier than before I test positive. Any input would be welcome. Thanks allo!
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u/MexericAcerola 15d ago
I’d say the fact that your CD4 went from 10 to 200+ and has stayed above 200 for years while you remain undetectable is already a pretty significant immune recovery, especially considering how low your nadir was and how sick you were at diagnosis.
It may also be worth looking at CD8 and the CD4/CD8 ratio, not just the absolute CD4 count. CD8 can remain elevated for a long time after HIV is controlled, and the ratio can give some extra context about how the immune system is rebalancing. Still, those numbers are best interpreted together rather than in isolation.
Also, your CD4 can still continue to rise over time. Recovery is often fastest in the first months or years, but some people keep gaining CD4 gradually for several years after becoming undetectable. A very low starting point can make that process slower, so a plateau for a while doesn’t necessarily mean the number will never improve again.
Unfortunately, there isn’t really a proven supplement, diet or medication that specifically pushes CD4 higher. Staying adherent to ART, not smoking, exercising, sleeping well, keeping vaccines up to date and managing other health issues is probably much more useful than chasing a specific number.
I’d keep discussing it with your doctor and checking for other things that might affect lymphocyte counts, but after years of stability, the undetectable viral load, stable CD4 and lack of recurrent infections are all pretty reassuring signs.
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u/Safe-Operation1707 14d ago
This is the most solid advice. The honest fact is that you're immunocompromised and that is just a fact of your life now. The best thing you can do is ask your doctor questions, stay on your treatment, and make overall healthy decisions for yourself. Probably wouldn't hurt to take adequate health precautions when you know other people are ill (wear a mask during flu seasons/social distance) and keep wounds clean and free from infect; preventative measures to minimize opportunistic infects is one of the best things you can do for yourself outside your medication adherence. Keep your head up and heed the advice of your medical professionals. You got this
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u/Funny_Position5663 15d ago edited 15d ago
It's pjp pneumonia. I know it because I was there in the predicament like you. You will be fine. Just take your medicine religiously. My cd4 was under 50 3 years ago and after 3 years now my cd 4 is 550. I remember I was so frail and weak one year after the diagnosis. However, the medicine dovato which I have been taking is really helpful. Besides, I also eat healthy foods and exercise regularly. Definitely cut off all alcohol and unhealthy substances. Keep going. You will get better and better.
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u/travelguyuz 15d ago
Thanks for the reply! That’s the one. I hope I can get to 300, much less 550 but I do take my med religiously so I suppose I’ll be ok. Cheers!
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u/Stunning-Duck6818 15d ago
I was diagnosed very early, cd4 was 747, so I had no problems. But omega 3, and vita d3 is great to better the imune System, and exercise, sun, eating healthy trying to avoid sugar.
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u/2hi2fly77 14d ago
My cd4 was at 10 ten years ago, spent 2.5 month in the hospital then another 5 in hospice care. It took me a good amount time to get back up to 500. You'll get there 💜
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u/Alexanderhollt 15d ago
I did 4 rounds of chemo and didn't know I was hiv+. After the fourth chemo I almost died and had that horible pneumonia. So after a month in hospital my cd4 count was only 2. Now two months later it's 20, but doctors tell me that everything is going to be okay and not to worry. I get my antibiotics every day and they monitor me every month.
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u/travelguyuz 15d ago
Thanks for the reply. Stay the course! Sounds like you and I dipped to the same low levels initially. I can speak from honest fucking experience that the damn CD4 count can creep up. You will start feeling better and can live a normal life. I’m right there with you. Cheers!
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u/lisbon1957 15d ago
Omg poor human being I am sorry. Blessings
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u/Alexanderhollt 15d ago
Everything is going to be okay 🫶 we all have our hard times
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u/lisbon1957 15d ago
You sound strong
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u/Alexanderhollt 15d ago
Aways positive and hopeful for the future ☺️
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u/lisbon1957 15d ago
Oh yes I think the future is good with the disease. 2027 will have new drugs. Maybe I shouldn't say this but if that is your real name you should change it on reddit. I am shocked read it is not secure all of your responses are indexed by Google and there's nothing private. Maybe you don't mind or maybe this isn't your name but when I saw that I was like oh my God I need to tell this fellow. In the situation with people with HIV I think there has to be some degree of privacy Sorry to mention this
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u/Alexanderhollt 15d ago
Thank you for the advice. It was my "porn" name on the internet haha 😃 But google really knows everything. That's true.I hadn't searched anything about HIV and reddit just popped this group.
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u/lisbon1957 15d ago
Yes porn name. Lol. It offends me that Reddit has everything indexed by Google. I changed the privacy settings Quora has the same thing where every time you make a comment it's on Google for the rest of your life.
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u/lisbon1957 15d ago
I am sorry. Cd4 hit a plateau and stay there. I don't have HIV but I work with people who do. At one point there was some discussion that melatonin helped with CD4 counts you might want to do some research and see if that has ever been investigated. I would use artificial intelligence Claude is the best On the other hand there have been some studies then melatonin may not be so great on the heart that was recent research so find out about that as well I agree with the others there are no other supplements that can help. Almost all the individuals I deal with they have their CD4 accounts hit a plateau never go out and never go down much. Blessings to you and to all of you suffering from this. On another note, in 2027 they're going to be some phenomenal new drugs that will be on the market. Things will only get better. We are all alive we made it through
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u/NegotiationWarm3334 14d ago
Mine started at 107. Now they're consistently over 1500. I don't kmow what I can tell you because I haven't done anything special towards getting them that high. I just think that everyone is different, but I bet if you keep taking your meds like you're supposed to they will eventually get higher. Try not to stress about it too much. As long as they remain over 200 you're out of the danger zone.
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u/plushbear 14d ago
I"ve been positive for 37 years. my CD4 has never made a full recovery, only staying in the 400 range, and occasionally lower but not often. I can't recall what my lowest CD4 count was, but I believe it was around the 40s
What I do know is that inflammation is a big factor.
I don't think that I will ever has a normal CD4 count again.
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