Question
Should I worry as my viral load now is about 60 copies/mL?
10 September 2009. Related: All topics.
I’m on TDF/FTC/3TC. My first viral load test on treatment was 42. My second was undetectable. My third, which I’ve just received, is 66. But my CD4 count is going up consistently (started treatment at 268, now over 500).
Is my viral load above 50 anything to worry about?
Answer
Very small viral load increases over 50 are usually either a blip or a lab error.
Blips are small temporary increases that go down again without needing to change treatment. They are normal part of low-level fluctuation. Lab errors are also common as the tests are less sensitive at very low levels.
It is important that your viral load is undetectable, as this is the main task of the therapy and means that the viral replication is well suppressed. You need to talk to your doctor though if you are worried, but I’d expect your next result to be undetectable again without doing anything.
More information about blips and increases is here.
More importantly, please can you check the names of your medications.
3TC (lamivudine) and FTC (emtricitabine) should never be used in the same combination because they are very similar drugs and only one of them would be active. IF you really are on these three drugs please contact your clinic straight away as they will need to change one of those drugs.
It would be more normal to use either efavirenz or nevirapine instead of either 3TC or FTC.
Hi Simoo, it is difficult to comment wihtout knowing your previous results. Please so not worry that your viral load is now just over 50 as this could easily be a lab error and your viraal load could be undetectable if you retested it again now.
Blood test shows a viral load of 53. Other parameters of the blood chemistry are within normal range but th ALT2 is low [15.13].
How bad are these results?
Hi Solomon, without more information about your HIV history and meds I can only give general information. In the UK, getting a viral load result that is detectable would be tested again to check the result.
The doctor would want to check you are oay at taking your meds at the same time every day. Sometimes being more carful with adherence can make it undetectable again.
The doctor would also look for other explainations. For example, have you recently been ill with a flu or cold? Or have you had a recent vaccination? Or have you started any meds or supplements that might interact with your meds.
If the viral load continues to be this high, Your treatment would usually be changed.