HIV copies went up

[David1184]

Maybe I’m overreacting...

I was first diagnosed in November of 2018, began Biktarvy right away and reached undetectable a couple months later. Since then my HIV copies have remained <20, until my most recent test last week my copies went up to 25, still undetectable but it drives me crazy that they went up. As a precaution, the Dr. wants me to get labs again in 3 months instead of 6.

I have not missed one dose!! My CD4 rose to 748 up from 580 in May.

Is it common for HIV copies fluctuate like this?

[Ptrk3]

Yes, it is common for viral load blips, and your blip is basically a rounding error of the lab test (since it is so inconsequential and you remain undetectable).

Your CD4's are very strong.

Keep up the good work with your adherence to your regimen!

You are doing great.

[David1184]

Yes, it is common for viral load blips, and your blip is basically a rounding error of the lab test (since it is so inconsequential and you remain undetectable).

Your CD4's are very strong.

Keep up the good work with your adherence to your regimen!

You are doing great.

Thank you for your response!

[Expat1]

It is not important and your doctor is on top of it with followup in 3 months.  Relax.  The CD4s are good so nothing to worry about.

[leatherman]

your doctor is on top of it with followup in 3 months.

my doctor (and I after 25 yrs of meds) wouldn't be at all concerned or change testing schedules if the "blip" wasn't at the least over 200. that low a number, especially if the patient has been at least 95% adherent, literally means nothing as it wouldn't be a cause of resistance or show treatment failure.

I thought I would inject this since I don't know how you, David1184, access your health care. If you have to pay out of pocket, or pay co-pays, you might want to consider the cost of this possibly being an "extra" test, especially coupled with an "extra" physician visit, as this would change the "regular" schedule.

[MadDog125]

Be happy with a high CD4, for me I obsessed with my numbers early on.  I have had two IDS now and both have said there not worried until I have a viral Count over 200.  I havnt been over 70 since I got in order.

[Jim Allen]

Maybe I’m overreacting...

I was first diagnosed in November of 2018, began Biktarvy right away and reached undetectable a couple months later. Since then my HIV copies have remained <20, until my most recent test last week my copies went up to 25, still undetectable but it drives me crazy that they went up. As a precaution, the Dr. wants me to get labs again in 3 months instead of 6.

I have not missed one dose!! My CD4 rose to 748 up from 580 in May.

Is it common for HIV copies fluctuate like this?

So basically fantastic results and UD. Not sure what the worry is, everything is fine.
Relax, keep taking your meds.

Best, Jim

[ZachR]

Chill, copy number fluctuations are no different than your blood pressure fluctuations throughout the day depending on activity, emotion, food. Your body is alive that dynamically change, it's not a robot, to have every parameter fixed. Any movement around and below 100 copies shouldn't be concerning if there is not a pattern forming. I learned that the hard way.

[CR2016]

Hey David1184, dont worry about.
blips are common along the treatment. You can find that blips are in function of your emotional well-being sometimes, so, you should not be worry for 25; it doesnt mean its gonna go up quickly, but the blips should remain.
in my experience, after 2 years of UD i presented 3 blips along a year (170 the major), and never changed my treatment. Doctor told me not to worry and keep good habits, and the last year i have reached UD again (less than 40 here in México).
Be happy and healthy men! Life and god have goods for us.