[Question #2502] Anabolic Steriods & 4th Gen Test

43 months ago

Hello Dr. HHH/Hook,


Iv asked a question here before about 8 months ago and had a new question with a new exposure and wanted your expert advice.

So about 4 months ago (March 26th) I had unprotect vaginal/anal and oral sex with a girl I don't know that much (acquaintance), I didn't have any symptoms of any sort or anything like that for the last 4 months. Beginning of March I started using Anabolic Steroids ( Dianabol, Testosterone, Trenbolone, Boldenone) . About 81 Days after the encounter (June 14th) I did a Full STD Panel with 4th Gen HIV Test( EVERYTHING CAME BACK NEGATIVE). When I did the test I was still using Anabolic Steroids (the ones mentioned above). So my Questions are..


1) Do Anabolic Steroids Effect the reliability of my 4th Gen HIV Test I took 81 Days after the exposure?

2) Do I need to retest after I get off the Anabolic Steroids or are my HIV Test results conclusive?

3) I researched Anabolic Steroids and it mentions they are an immunosuppressive drug, would that cause my HIV test result to be a false negative because there isn't enough antibodies for the test to pick up?

4) Theoretically if the Antibodies wouldn't be produced because of the Steroid Use , wouldn't the Antigen part of the test come back positive ?

5) I did the Full 10 Panel test (Hep A,B,C, SYPH, GON, CHY, HSV1,2) are these results conclusive as well?

6) Can I resume unprotected sex with my Girlfriend? Or should I wait until I take another test?


Thanks and Best Regards,

Joey


Edward W. Hook M.D.
Edward W. Hook M.D.
43 months ago
Welcome back to our Forum.  The encounter you describe was low risk- most persons do not have STIs and most single encounters with infected persons to not lead to infection.  Even if your partner did have an STI, including HIV, as a general answer, your use of anabolic steroids will not in any way change the accuracy of your test results for HIV and for other STIs. Any effect that such drugs might have on the immune system or your test results is clinically insignificant.  You should believe your test results.  this, in response to your specific questions;

1) Do Anabolic Steroids Effect the reliability of my 4th Gen HIV Test I took 81 Days after the exposure?

These test results would be unaffected by the use of anabolic steroids and should be believed.

2) Do I need to retest after I get off the Anabolic Steroids or are my HIV Test results conclusive?

No!  There is no need for additional testing

3) I researched Anabolic Steroids and it mentions they are an immunosuppressive drug, would that cause my HIV test result to be a false negative because there isn't enough antibodies for the test to pick up?

To say that anabolic steroids are immunosuppressive is an over simplification.  They may make you SLIGHTY more susceptible to some every day viral infections but have no known or theoretically significant effect on the accuracy of your test results.

4) Theoretically if the Antibodies wouldn't be produced because of the Steroid Use , wouldn't the Antigen part of the test come back positive ?

Actually, if anything, antibody production might be slightly delayed but would not be prevented.  Further as you point out, even if they were, the antigen test in the combination HIV test would detect infection if present without antibodies.

5) I did the Full 10 Panel test (Hep A,B,C, SYPH, GON, CHY, HSV1,2) are these results conclusive as well?

Yes, the results should be believed

6) Can I resume unprotected sex with my Girlfriend? Or should I wait until I take another test?

There is no need to delay unprotected sex with your GF and no need for further testing for any STI, including HIV related to the encounter you describe above.

I hope that these comments are helpful to you. EWH

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42 months ago

Thank You Dr. Hook

 

I had another question and was wondering if I could ask it in the same post without opening another one.

 

A couple of days ago I went to a massage parlor for a full body massage(30 Min) and the masseuse gave me a hand job (receipt of masturbation) until ejaculation, that's the only thing that happened. she was fully clothed and did NOT touch herself. The only thing that was used was lube or baby oil (not sure what was used but she did use the same thing on my body during the massage). Is there any STD risk from this exposure? Or is there any testing necessary ? this is my final question. Thank you for everything.

Best Regards,

Joe

Edward W. Hook M.D.
Edward W. Hook M.D.
42 months ago
This was a no risk HIV.  Receipt of masturbation is safe sex with not STI risk, even if your partner did touch herself.  Further, STIs are not transmitted in massage lotion.  there is no reason for concern and no need for testing of any sort. 

I'm glad my comments have been helpful.  EWH
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