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Ask the Experts about General Treatment Strategies
CD4 plummets
Oct 25, 2001
I have asked this question twice in other forums on this website, and an answer has not been posted. I have left 3 messages for my doctor in the past week, and he has not returned my calls. If you do not know the answer please say so; I'll understand, but if you can help in any way, I'd appreciate it.
My questions:
1- I was infected 2/2001, and tested HIV+ 8/31/2001. At that time, T-Cells 618, Viral load 9,100. Last week, T-Cells were 414, and VL results unavailable. I know that T-Cells go up and down, but do they go up and down by THAT MUCH in less than two months??? I am not currently on any Meds, but I wonder if I should be.
2- Is there anything I can do to bolster my immune system or regain some of my tcells until I go on meds?
I am really scared.
Response from Dr. Young
Without knowing your current viral load, it would be difficult to accurately understand what is going on in your particular case.
However, I think that one reasonable explanation to the change in your CD4 cell absolute count is simple- the natural variation in CD4 levels. CD4 absolute count varies alot during the course of a given day, so that one day's 600 cells could be the next's 400. CD4 counts flucuate even as a function of the time of day. While this change can alarming at first glance, it is not of great significance. The important thing to look is what is going on with other immunologic markers- I focus attention particularly on the CD4 cell percentage. This value varies much less from day to day. One would expect that if there is no important difference between your two measurements, then the CD4 percentage would be very similar (within a couple of points).
As for boosting the immune system, I don't have alot of great suggestions (other than HIV meds- when appropriate). Clearly adequate diet and exercise seems to help. High levels of stress is probably not helpful.
Good luck, BY
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