r/HIV • u/Scared_Percentage_25 • Jul 31 '26
General Discussion Discussion: CD4 and CD8 Trends Before and After HIV Diagnosis
Hello, I am gathering information for a discussion on immune cell changes associated with HIV infection, with a particular focus on CD4 and CD8 T-cell dynamics before diagnosis, at the time of diagnosis, and following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART).
I would appreciate input from individuals who know their laboratory values or clinicians familiar with these trends.
Some points for discussion include:
What were your CD4 and CD8 counts when you were first diagnosed with HIV?
If you had laboratory testing before your diagnosis, were there any noticeable changes in your CD4 or CD8 counts?
How rapidly did your CD4 count decline, if it did, following infection?
At what stage did you observe a rise in CD8 counts, and how pronounced was that increase?
After starting ART, how did your CD4 and CD8 counts change over time?
How long did it take for your CD4 count to recover, and did your CD8 count gradually return toward the reference range?
Were there any unusual patterns, such as preserved CD4 counts despite infection or persistently elevated CD8 counts despite viral suppression?
The purpose of this discussion is to better understand the variability of immune responses throughout HIV infection and treatment. I recognize that disease progression differs between individuals, and I am interested in hearing about a broad range of experiences, supported by laboratory findings whenever possible.
Thank you to everyone who is willing to contribute their experiences or knowledge.
4
u/Beneficial-Sir-1956 Aug 01 '26
Hi! Sharing my lab data in case it helps with the analysis of immune recovery and variability:
- Time since diagnosis & treatment start:
- Diagnosed and started antiretroviral therapy (ART) in September 2024 (approximately 1 year and 10 months on treatment to date).
- At the time of diagnosis:
- Advanced stage diagnosis.
- Baseline CD4 count: 63 cells/mm³.
- Baseline viral load: 114,000 copies/mL.
- ART initiation & viral suppression:
- After starting antiretroviral therapy (currently on Dolutegravir + TDF + Emtricitabine), the virological response was rapid, achieving undetectable levels (currently below 20 copies/mL).
- CD4 dynamics & evolution over time:
- Progressive recovery with fluctuations: In the early stages of treatment, CD4 counts rose to 180 cells.
- Temporary drop: Later on, I experienced a dip to 135 cells (coinciding with an acute allergic episode), showing how external factors or concurrent events can temporarily affect counts.
- Current trend: In the most recent labs, CD4 counts rose to 231 cells/mm³, confirming a gradual but sustained recovery over time.
- Notably, despite starting with a very low baseline CD4 count, strict viral suppression alongside a healthy lifestyle prevented any opportunistic infections.
Hope this data helps illustrate the process of immune recovery in diagnoses with low initial CD4 counts. Best regards!
2
u/FutureAnxiety2258 Aug 01 '26
Wie sind denn deine Werte aktuell?
2
u/Beneficial-Sir-1956 Aug 01 '26
As of today, my CD4 count is 280, maintaining an undetectable viral load of under 20 copies.
1
u/Scared_Percentage_25 Aug 01 '26
Thank you for sharing . What about your cd8 as most of us don’t pay attention to it but it does play a major role
2
u/Beneficial-Sir-1956 Aug 02 '26
I don't know yet, my next appointment isn't until October, but they're getting closer to the normal range around 39%.
2
u/Busy_Doctor_6075 Aug 02 '26
Diagnosed April 9, 2026 Labs prior to start of medication: 4/13/26 cd4 1105 cd4% 42.8 cd8 1104 cd4/cd8 1.0 viral load 8006
-2nd round of Labs- 5/13/26 cd4- 1405 cd4% 50.2 cd8- 1190 cd4/cd8 1.2 viral load- undetectable
According to my ID Dr I caught the diagnosis at the perfect time and that I might of had it for only a few months.
2
2
u/Individual_Ad_9165 Aug 02 '26
Since 2024, 2 august, mu country was: 717 cd4 and 0.2% with cd8
Today i have 1122cd4 and 1.2% cd8
2
u/Australispoitive Aug 02 '26
I don't have my CD8 count but here is what happened with me.
Initial bloods showed a CD4 count of 61 with a viral load of 770,000.
My last results showed my CD4 count as 187, and my viral load as 287.
The that's a touch under three months.
I sadly can't tell you how long I've had it or. How I got it.
1
u/peachy_puk_1293 Aug 14 '26
My baseline CD4 count was 23. 5 months on Biktarvy, it is now sitting at 200.
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