t-cells went down

[SFindigo]

Hi all - its been so long since I've been on here, but I need some advice.

I went to the doc the other day to check in about labs.  He said everything was fine.  I'm still undetectable! beautiful.  My t-cells are 598.  Ever since I started treatment they have been on the up and up.  In fact last time they were at 1050(!) 

He told me not to worry about it.  I know I shouldn't but is there any reason to be concerned.  Should I be?  Is there a way to increase these numbers (even though the are still w/in 'normal' range).

I take truvada and sustiva - soon to be the one pill. 

blessings to you all.  I look forward to reading up on how things are going on the forum.

indigo

[Emilio]

Hello Indigo,

A CD4 value of 1050 would be really high. I don't know, vitamine cocktails specifically designed to boost the immune system can play a positive part. Stress is another factor: I don't know if it is only correlation, but my CD4 count seemed to improve by a couple of hundereds on average when I changed from a job I hated to a more rewarding one. I tried Echinacea tablets for a while, but apparently it is better not to, as it "activates" the immune system and so kicking in viral replication as well. I also try to keep fit, even if I feel fatigued, as it may have an indirect positive effect.

Good luck, bud

Emilio

[Batboy]

There are any number of reasons that t cells can fluctuate up and down. According to my doctor, a simple cold, minor infection or bug, stress, allergies, lack of sleep and lots of other typical, non worrisome things can cause a drop in t cells. I had a major drop once due to a common chest cold and then they shot back up once the cold had cleared and my body was able to reagain it's full strength. If your doc isn't concrened, you probably shouldn't be either. The stress of being concerned can effect you count even further.  Whatever caused the drop is most likely minor and temporary. 

I wouldn't woryy about trying to increase them. the 1050 is really high and more than your body really needs to maintain health. As long as your t cells are generally within normal range and your vl remains low, you're fine. Fluctuations from time to time are common even among people who do not have hiv.