After 5 Years Viral Load <50 two readings of 60 then 80

[wiser]

My viral load on Sustiva has remained undetectable for the past 5 years. My last two readings (June 2010) & (September 2010) showed Viral Loads of 60 and 80 respectively. My CD4 cells however have been rising  310 to 330 to 350 over the past 3 quarterly tests. My doctor at this meeting said he would not be concerned at this point with the jump in VL. We will see what todays VL data is (Jan 18 2011). I had a moderate case of Giradisis and Shigellia in May and think the diarrhea may have affected absorption of the Atripla and contributed to VL increase. I know the answer to my querry is wait and see what this third VL reading is. I am just curious about other's experience with increases in VL after being undetectable for a long period. What numbers and time frame would indicate a need to check for HIV mutation or HIV resistence?

[richie]

My viral load on Sustiva has remained undetectable for the past 5 years. My last two readings (June 2010) & (September 2010) showed Viral Loads of 60 and 80 respectively. My CD4 cells however have been rising  310 to 330 to 350 over the past 3 quarterly tests. My doctor at this meeting said he would not be concerned at this point with the jump in VL. We will see what todays VL data is (Jan 18 2011). I had a moderate case of Giradisis and Shigellia in May and think the diarrhea may have affected absorption of the Atripla and contributed to VL increase. I know the answer to my querry is wait and see what this third VL reading is. I am just curious about other's experience with increases in VL after being undetectable for a long period. What numbers and time frame would indicate a need to check for HIV mutation or HIV resistence?

I lost sustiva after being on it for 1 year (w/combivir).  It did double my CD4 from 350 to 700, and VL UD, but them suddenly tests came back with vl of 51, 3 months later 67, then 3 months later 300.  Clearly low-level viremia which was proving resistance.  Stopped everything to get a higher VL (10,000 - 15,000) so we could do a resistance test (you need much higher than what you're at now).  Turned out I had a single Sustiva mutation, so we changed to a PI.  Been fine ever since (8 years later).

Good luck with the test.

Best,

--rich

[richie]

Also, the new US Guidelines for treating HIV were just updated, and contained the following, which hopefully you'll find encouraging:

Viral load tests
Low-level results (typically <200) are commonly reported from some viral load tests. These results tend to be caused more by isolated “blips” due to the test’s variability rather than being an actual increase in viral load. The new recommendation cautions providers not to use “detectable” viral load below 200 as an reason to switch treatment. Trends over time, such as a continually increasing viral load with two or more tests, are more accurate predictors of treatment success or failure.

Best,

--rich

[wiser]

Thanks Rich. This was the kind of shared info I was looking for. I can undertand "blips", but two with an upward trend in 2 simultaneous tests over 6 months is a yellow flag. We'll see what this latest test shows.

Paul

[newt]

Given viral load tests can be 1/3rd to 3 times the number on the test result, 60 then 80 is not an upward trend. An upward trend is gonna ad 0s to the result in the space of a few tests , like 50, 150, 2000 or sommat. But tis good to be vigilant. Hope the yellow flag is downgraded to green on the next test.

- matt

[Zohar]

At my clinic in London, which also carries out VL testing for most of the other clinics in the capital, they've changed their policy so that anything 300 and below is considered to be  the equivalent of undetectable. A result in the 50-60 range certainly isn't worth worrying about.

[CoupleNYC]

So, How did go about those tests results and how are you?

[Ann]

So, How did go about those tests results and how are you?

You do realise this thread is very nearly three years old, don't you? Also, clicking on the OP's (Wiser's) profile (click on the username) will reveal he hasn't logged on since May 2012.