[Question #10129] Follow up question on quantitative HIV test.
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25 months ago
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Hello all (again). I recently had some questions about HIV PCR tests. I have 2 more to follow, and hopefully ease my mind. So I took a PCR quantitative test. The results came back as "not detected". Now as I understand it the test can quantify as low as 20 copies, but can actually detect lower than that. My question is, can the test even run at all with no hiv blood? Or is my not detected equivalent to a negative? The test was done 1 year after possible exposure. I also took a generation four test, which came back as non-reactive. But I like the idea of the PCR because sometimes I worry about possible supplement interference (biotin etc) but thats a conversation for another day.
2. Also, my second question is, is it even possible to have a not detected viral load without being on any kind of medication? (I know the elite controller is a thing, but id assume that means high antibodies)
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
25 months ago
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Welcome back, but I don't really understand the reason. Having reviewed your previous discussion, it is clear you do not have HIV. I really don't understand your obsession with the details of the test results, which are 100% conclusive.
I am not aware that the HIV PCR tests can detect fewer than 20 copies. It's possible, I suppose, but the large majority of persons with negative results -- <20 RNA copies -- in fact have no virus present. I have no idea what you mean by "can the test run at all with no hiv blood?" Not detected is just different words for negative. There is no such thing as false negative AgAb (4th generation) blood test. It never happens, and contrary to what you think you have learned (probably online), biotin in the usual body building doses has no effect on test reliability. To the extent you're worried about it in the future, just don't take biotin for a few days before the test.
There are no medical conditions or medications that have any effect on reliability of either PCR or the AgAb blood tests. And yes, elite controllers test positive on all standard tests, except some can have negative PCR test results.
In your discussion with Dr. Hook, you referred to lots of conflicting information online. Anybody can write anything they want on the web. You will reduce the conflicting info if you limit your reading to sites from professional organizations or those with professional monitoring (like this one); and ignore sites run by and for people who are infected or at risk (like Reddit).
You don't have HIV. There are no circumstances you will think of that would possibly change our opinions or advice on it.
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
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25 months ago
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Thanks! The only thing I meant by "will the test not run" is, does the test NEED positive blood to perform. Or will the test run with uninfected blood as well.
But you seemed to answer my question by saying not detected = negative. (As long as I understand that correctly)
Thanks for your time., one last question. Symptoms. I know you guys don't put too much weight into them, but what is the typical timeline for them? Can they happen at anytime?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
25 months ago
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Of course the test does not need HIV positive blood to perform. If that were the case, it would be useless in the 99% of tested people who do not have HIV!
ARS symptoms always start within 2-3 weeks (usually sooner) and rarely last more than 3-4 weeks. After that, you can safely assume no symptoms are due to HIV -- and impossible due to HIV if someone has tested negative and not been reexpsoed.
That concludes this thread. Please note the forum policy against repeated anxiety driven questions. This being your second along these lines, it should be your last. Excess ones are subject to deletion without reply (and without refund of the posting fee). Thanks for your understanding. Best wishes and stay safe.
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