How Low Can Cd4 Cells Be Before You Get Sick

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Understanding CD4 Cells and CD4 Cell Tests

The Basics CD4 Count and HIV CD4 Count and HIV Treatment CD4 Cell Test The Bottom Line The Basics Your immune system protects your body by fighting germs and infections.White blood cells are an important part of your immune system. HIV infects and destroys a type of white blood cell called aCD4 cell (sometimes called a T-cell). When the immune system loses too many CD4 cells, it becomes weak and isunable to fight off germs. At...

Ask the Experts

CD4 Count V. CD4% Count (ABSOLUTE CD4 COUNT VERSUS CD4%, 2010) (WHEN TO START TREATMENT, 2010)

Hi,I was diagnosed with HIV around 15 months ago. Since then my health has been good (especially in the last six months) but my CD4 count has fallen a bit rapidly from 470 to 371 to 324 over this time period. However, my CD4 percentage count has...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,You are correct: The CD4% is generally considered the more accurate indicator of immune integrity, as it doesn't tend to fluctuate as much due to intercurrent illnesses and other non-HIV-related factors. (See below.)Regarding beginning... Read more »

Low CD4 but stable CD4%

My husband's CD4 in July 06 was 808 and viral load 343. CD4% was 25%. Most recent tests done show viral load of 25000 and CD4 dropping has been 337 / 299 / 284 over the last 3 months although his latest labs show a CD4% of 26%. we've...

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

It is likely that his total white blod cell (WBC) count and total lymphocyte count have decreased, accounting for the decrease in absolute CD4 count and stable percent. Stress can account for some of this decline. I assume he is not on any other... Read more »

CD4 counts vs CD4 percentage (ABSOLUTE CD4 COUNT VERSUS CD4%, 2008)

Dr. Frascino, I am a little new to dealing with HIV. I was diagnosed about 9 months ago. I was wondering what the CD4 percentage was. Because my CD4 count had changed from 510 to 409 in a three month period but the CD4 percentage had risen by 1%....

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hey College Guy,I'll reprint below some information about absolute CD4 cell counts and CD4%. The CD4% is the more accurate test, as it is less susceptible to variations related to concurrent phenomena (diurnal variation, other infections, etc.)... Read more »

Absolute CD4 count down while CD4% up. (ABSOLUTE CD4 COUNT VERSUS CD4%)

Hello Dr. Bob,You are wonderful and doing very important job :) . I have never seen such a Doctor who has an excellent sense of humor and plays the piano. Btw, I play the cello :) . Now my question. My time of infection is between 2006 02 and 2006...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello Cello-Guy,I strongly disagree with the advice your doctor gave you regarding absolute CD4 counts versus CD4%! I reviewed this topic in detail recently in this forum. Consequently, rather than retyping the same information, I will instead... Read more »

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Low CD4 Counts - What Now?

Posted by amandajeanbrown, 7 Replies

My CD4 count has dropped to about 467. My VL is 2210 (no worries). What are some things that I can do to bring my CD4 count back up to 800-1,000? Suggestions are much appreciated. Does diet affect this, sleep, etc. Read more »

Unusual case. Ongoing Low CD4 - HIV possible?

Posted by Tryin2BRational, 4 Replies

I wrote awhile back outlining a one-time risky exposure in March 2006(unprotected vaginal sex) with a female of unknown status. I contacted her and she told me she did not have HIV, but I doubted her veracity (I had two consectutive rounds of... Read more »

To Jackie Blue - Re CD4 depletion

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Dear Jackie - thanks for replying to my post. I wanted to respond so I could answer some of your questions.

Firstly - how do I know it is not cancer - I don't - all i know is that exactly 20 days after an unprotected sexual exposure I came down with... Read more »

Newly diagnosed, but CD4 counts is only 60!

Posted by Anonymous, 5 Replies

I have been unwell since this spring. After a series of lymph nodes problem, I went to have myself tested. Three weeks ago I learned that I was positive. Last week had my first HIV doctor appointment and did some blood works. Today I found out that... Read more »

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