Can someone please explain CD4-cells??

[Maria3667]

Hi everyone,

Last time I had my blood drawn, the numbers on CD4 were very low (as usual).
Now I'm confused. Isn't CD4 the critical thing in patients with HIV/AIDS? Does this mean I have HIV/Aids?

What is the link between CD4 and Sjogren's?

I tried to figure it out, but then someone else said there's also a C4-protein. Making me more confused.

And may be the most scary of all ----- what happens if the CD4 (or C4) keeps dropping?

I'd be very happy if someone could clarify this for me.

Thanks,
Maria

[Scottietottie]

Hi Maria 

Hang in there - someone will be along who can have a stab at this! 'Fraid it's just not me because I've never even heard of it before.

Take care - Scottie 

[Linda196]

CD4 is also called T4 or T helper cells. They are the immune system cells that protect us from disease, and in autoimmune disease, they can be either very high or very low. People with very high T4 cells and autoimmune disease are the ones who never seem to catch anything, while people with low counts catch a cold if someone sneezes next door! Low T4 or CD4 could indicate CVID or Common Variable Immunodeficiency, which isn't uncommon in autoimmune disease. While the mechanism is the same as HIV/AIDS, it isn't caused by the AIDS virus, and isn't contagious.

C4 cells are part of the complement system, which is a set of circulating blood proteins that work together to promote immune and inflammatory responses. The protein designated as C4 can be depleted in chronic infection or inflammation.

[Maria3667]

Hi Linda,

Thanks for clarifying this for me!   

It's a comforting thought that it's not the CD4 cells which are impaired.

My Dr. must have been talking about C4 cells, because I'm hardly ever ill, and they have been low for over 5 years now.

Take care,
Maria