Introduction Kennethk & VL concerns

[Kennethk]

Hi Community
This is more or less on the same topic and perhaps I could get some replies with shared experience. I was diagnosed last May 2020 almost immediately after infection. I went on Biktarvy May 19. At that time I had a 6.8 million viral load. My next test was a month later and my viral load was 113. A month later to 78 and a month after that 34
My last 2 test were 36 and current test is 54.
I concerned that I’m not undetectable at 6 months and also the small increase reflected on my last test. My dr is not as concerned as I am and does not think I should change meds. Any feedback will be appreciated. Am I freaking out unnecessarily ?

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Welcome to the forum, sorry to hear about the diagnosis.

I've split your post with your concerns into it's its own thread, this will as your first post also be your forum introduction thread.

Regarding the VL, I agree with your doctor. You are within the first year and the VL you posted is suppressed, UD. The meds are working and doing their job.

Is there a particular reason why are you getting your labs done so often?
Anyhow, ill quote my own answer from another thread that had a similar question.

I agree with your doctor, as less than 50 copies isn't even a blip and is fully suppressed.  Now, minor blips over 50 copies can happen for various reasons, had some myself over the years. Unless it were into the mid to high hundreds, I would not even blink.

Another reason not to worry about such low levels is evidence that as ART takes care of the active viral load, some transient blips are nothing more than detecting the low-level release of virus from existing reservoirs. This includes defective copies and that those who blip more often tend to have larger HIV reservoirs and hence it's not a concern for the treatment etc.

See link for "What's All This Fuss I Hear About Viral "Blips"?

Treatment wise, it's still generally accepted that anything under 50 copies is fully suppressed, 200 for onward transmission (UD), so keep taking your meds correctly and see the result next time you test.

Blips
What's All This Fuss I Hear About Viral "Blips"?
https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/70/12/2710/5573119

http://i-base.info/guides/changing/viral-load-blips

Viral Blips Don't Raise the Risk of HIV Treatment Failure
https://www.poz.com/article/viral-blips-raise-risk-hiv-treatment-failure

http://www.aidsmap.com/Spanish-study-gives-reassurance-small-HIV-blips-do-not-predict-treatment-failure/page/3085173/

Q&A on persistent low-level viremia.
https://www.healio.com/infectious-disease/hiv-aids/news/online/%7B8373ca63-674d-4015-ac35-f4da653c7415%7D/qa-understanding-persistent-low-level-viremia-in-people-with-hiv

Since your VL is undetectable, a far more important topic is how are you doing & feeling?

Best, Jim.

[leatherman]

My next test was a month later and my viral load was 113. A month later to 78 and a month after that 34
My last 2 test were 36 and current test is 54.

while "undetectable" (<20) is the most desirable option, anything under 200 is considered successfully treated, suppressed HIV. Amazingly your viral load was successfully suppressed in just one month and you've been fine since Jun. Keep taking your meds, quit worrying (as the doctor suggested) and get on with your life  

https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/viral-load

Oh! and unless you have some other issue, quit getting tested so often. It's a waste of your time and money

[harleymc]

well you have eliminated 99.99% of your viral load.

It's a common phenomenon to shed nonfunctional fragments of HIV especially after a very high initial count, this will settle with time.

You should be fine with testing twice a year.  Don't overthink the issue, just get on with living your life.

Hugs