VL jump; time for meds?
Apr 18, 2009
I was diagnosed in 2007 and VL has been steady at around 60,000. T-cells between 500 and 700. Three months ago, VL fell to 30,000 but T-cells fell to 472. Last week, VL had jumped to 500,000 (!) and T-cells were only 390.
My doctor says it's time for meds (and I agree), but what could cause such a drastic increase in VL?
Also, my work has paid for an expensive overseas training for me that would prevent me from starting meds for three more weeks. I feel OK--am I risking it to attend the training, since getting out of it would raise questions I hope not to have to answer. My doctor says waiting an additional three weeks is acceptable; I'd like another opinion.
Many thanks for the great service you provide here.
Response from Dr. Young
Hello and thanks for your post.
In most cases, a viral load increase alone (especially only a single test) would not comprise sufficient reason to start ART.
Nevertheless, with the current trends in opinion drifting towards a recommendation about starting ART with CD4s at or below 500, you could interpret your labs to have met this on two separate occasions anyway. Furthermore, if your age happened to be older (arbitrarily >50), or if you had any active kidney or liver disease, I'd find another reason to recommend starting.
I agree with your doctor that a three week delay because of your international travel (to hopefully somewhere interesting) is not significant.
So, I hope this is helpful. Be well,
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