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What causes low CD4 count despite taking ART for months?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My husband is HIV positive. I do not have any documentation or results with me. Our doctor says everything is fine, but we worry too much because of the slow CD4 recovery. All documents are in the hospital. The first test of CD4 was 280 cells per cubic millimeter. He was not able to start treatment at that moment. Two months later, he started treatment, and his CD4 was 75 cells per cubic millimeter. The first question is, what can cause this big drop in CD4? He feels fine without any other symptoms. After three months after starting ART, he was undetectable. After 9 months of ART, CD4 is still very low. The last result says 86 cells per cubic millimeter. He gained weight, and he does not feel anything is wrong, but anyway, we worry too much. Please tell us something and give us some advice and opinions.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I am very sorry about your medical condition, and I am glad that you are paying attention to changes in your body system. Regarding your husband's HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) presentation of low CD4, I strongly believe there may be various factors associated with that, and they are low immunity, low blood, and bone marrow suppression. Let him take a tablet of Centrum (multivitamins) 500 mg orally once a day for a month to boost his immunity level.

I hope this information helps you.

Revert in case of queries.

Regards.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At February 20, 2025
Reviewed AtJuly 10, 2025

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