Thank you very much for your service. I used the forum last year and Dr Hook said that my test was conclusive.

One more question: if biotin has no effect on test reliability, can I assume that it also has no effect on the reliability of point of care tests? On someone else’s post (question 9323), Dr Hook mentioned that labs can perform point of care tests using venous blood. So if that was my case, can I still be confident that I don’t have HIV?

(I would like to add: I am uncircumcised. I think this doubles my previous risks.)

I really appreciate your help!

What kind of dosage is considered large? I really hope that taking common supplements does not affect HIV tests. I really hope that I can move forward without worrying about the biotin issue.

Thank you very much!

We get questions about biotin from time to time; you can use the search function to find those discussions. The bottom line is that very high doses of biotin might affect the reliability of the HIV blood tests, but there is absolutely no effect at the doses typically used. The doses you state have no effect. And even if that doesn't convince you, all that is needed is to not take biotin for a couple of days before having the test.

So I can confirm the replies you had from Dr. Hook a year ago, and the other statements you have seen on the forum:  there are no known medications, vitamins, drugs, or medical conditions that have any effect on the reliability or timing of the HIV blood tests; and that negative AgAb (duo, combo, 4th generation) HIV blood tests 42 days or more after the last possible exposure are 100% reliable. This includes the antibody-only tests, and it includes all point of care tests as well. (The only exception is when anti-HIV drugs are taken after exposure to prevent infection, which prolongs the window to conclusive testing.

Accordingly, you do not need more testing at this time. You can be 100% certain you do not have HIV.

I hope these comments are helpful. If you remain anxious about it, all I can do is recommend professional counseling to address your anxieties about it. In the meantime, best wishes and stay safe.

HHH, MD

You reply puts me at ease. I will certainly consider counselling if my anxiety comes back.

I have some final questions. I would be grateful if you could help me. Your reply will be helpful for me in the future.

In the paragraph right after table 3, I find the following statement: Biotin interference in detection of anti-HIV-1 antibody in the seroconversion panel members in our study is due to the low concentration of gp41 antibodies. We have observed (unpublished data) that gp41 antibody concentrations are low in early infection and gradually increase after infection. Therefore, biotin interference at 200 and 400 ng/mL is detected with the early seroconversion panel member PBR947-02 and no biotin interference is detected with the seroconversion panel members PBR947-03 and PBR947-04.

1. "Early" seroconversion a) refers only to the antibody component of an HIV test, not the antigen component of the AgAb test and b) probably means the first 2-6 weeks after exposure.

2. Yes, you are correct in that interpretation.

Please let this go without worry. If you remain concerned about it and feel you have had a high risk HIV exposure that requires testing, you can eliminated all worry by stopping your biotin supplements for a day or two before you are tested.

That concludes this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.

You said you haven’t read the article. I just want to confirm that you have read the text I copied and pasted in my last reply, and my interpretation is correct. Am I right?

I am very sorry for this extra question, you can now close the thread. Thanks very much for all of your assistance.

Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad to have helped. Best wishes and stay safe.