CD4 Percentage & Absolute Count

CD4 Percentage & Absolute Count Test results are usually measured as the number of cells per cubic millimetre of blood. For healthy teens and adults, the normal CD4 count should be between 500 to 1,200 cells per cubic millimetre. People with HIV who have CD4 counts over 500 are usually in pretty good health. HIV infection and CD4 count below 200 cells per cubic millimetre, predisposes to development of serious opportunistic infections. Anti-retroviral treatment (ART) is recommended for all patients with HIV.

In addition to using a test to count the number of CD4 cells, physicians also measure the proportion of all white blood cells that are CD4 cells, this is called CD4 cell percentage. This CD4 cell percentage is used for follow-up of patients, because this is less likely to fluctuate as compared to absolute CD4 counts. CD4 percentages are not usually regarded as a general indicator of health of an adult’s immune system, but variation of this value with absolute CD4 counts might be a sign of another health problem.

HIV is one of the major factors that can affect your CD4 count. Other infections like pneumonia, hepatitis B and flu can also transiently affect your CD4 counts. Steroids and chemotherapy also cause CD4 levels to drop. Alcohol, nicotine, stress, vigorous exercise, lack of sleep, fatigue and pregnancy can also affect your CD4 count. Therefore, for most accurate results, the test should be done on a normal day after typical sleep and exercise, use the same lab each time and wait for at least a couple of weeks after you’ve been sick or gotten a shot before you get a test.

CD4 cells are white blood cells that play an important role in the immune system. Your CD4 Count gives you an indication of the health of your immune system – your body’s natural defence system against pathogens, infections and illnesses. Monitoring of CD4 count is important soon after diagnosis with HIV, before beginning HIV treatment and for as long as your CD4 count is low. It provides important information about disease progression and immune system.

For healthy teens and adults, the normal CD4 count should be between 500 to 1,200 cells per cubic millimetre. The most common cause of low CD4 T-cell counts is HIV Infection. People with HIV who have CD4 counts over 500 are usually in pretty good health. HIV infection and CD4 count below 200 cells per cubic millimetre, predisposes to development of serious opportunistic infections. If you have HIV and do not take HIV treatment, your CD4 count will fall over time. The lower the CD4 cell count, the greater the damage to the immune system and the greater the risk of illness. When you take HIV treatment, your CD4 count should gradually increase.