CD4 count

[SanjeevKashyap]

Hello everyone,
My first CD4 count in March 2020 was 101 and now in September it is 149. I have never missed my medication. Is this okay? I thought taking medicines regularly will bring the figures more than 200 atleast.

[virgo313]

Relax, You cannot control this part. Some people is taking med for 4-5 years & still have not reach 200. Other will takes a year or two.

What’s more important is your viral load. Once you reach undetectable level it means the virus is not causing further damage to ur immune system. Reaching UD & maintaining that level is the goal for all.

[Pirata]

I started medication with 100 CD4, it took me almost a year to get to 209. Don’t worry, I learned here that the goal is to be undetectable, there are people that get  over 200 faster than others

[SanjeevKashyap]

Hi Virgo, okay. Thanks for your reply

[SanjeevKashyap]

Hi Pirata, ok. But my centre gives viral load result 12 months after the first test. Its a long wait.

[virgo313]

VL test should be done more often for newly diagnosed people. This is to check if the drug is best or not. Once Dr knows the combination is good, then they usually will test VL every 6 months.

As for why your next test will be in 12 months time, perhaps hospital is restricting ppl to visit during Covid. More so if you are from India (I presume).

Anyway, as your CD shows an increase, it looks like ur meds is already controlling the VL.

[Jim Allen]

@OP

Not much to add that the others have not already mentioned.

CD4 Levels can take time and it looks like you are heading in the right direction, as virgo313 mentioned more important is with successful treatment suppressing the virus.

Regading the frequancy of checking the viral load, normally it's recommend every 6 months but it might be your clinc has good reasons for only checking every 12 months. If you want to know why there is no harm in politely asking next time you have an appointment.

How are you feeling and how are you getting on?

[SanjeevKashyap]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
Yes I am in India. The HIV med is not showing any side effect.
I am taking medicine for TB as well. Its the TB meds that are toxic. Its very toxic for my liver. I am on my 5th month of TB meds. Hopefully after 1 more month i wont need TB meds as the standard TB treatment is for 6 months. I had lymph node swelling and thats my TB was diagnosed. I dont have TB in the chest. Two weeks back i got my sensitivity test and it came out negative. So i guess the tb meds are able to do their job. And so i wish after 6 months of completion i dont have to take my tb meds