Dr. Hunter Handsfield

[extremelyworrid67]

Hello,
Dear Dr Hunter,

I had unprotected sex with a sex worker last December 2012, then I had 3 HIV tests, DUO test at 9 weeks, INSTI test at 13 weeks and INSTI test at 17 weeks. all of them were negative, the thing is I am taking some supplement for the gym since my last exposure and those supplements are ( Whey Protein shake- Malti-Vitamins, Vitamin C and fish oil).


And now I am really worried about my results because I read this answer from you Dr. Hunter Handsfield from a post titled False Negative on February 12, 2011. the Doctor wrote:

" There is no reason to suppose that inosine or the sort of nutritional supplements you take could have any effect -- and even if they did, it could affect only the antibody tests, not the PCR result."

THE LINK: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/False-Negative-Test/show/1459490

So my questions now are:

Could my antibody tests results are false negative and incorrect results? because you said supplements could affect the antibody tests.

And before my DUO test I had pills ( the one that makes the person sleepy ) did the pills affected the test result?

Do I need to stop taking these supplements and go for another DUO or INSTI test?

Regards,

[Edward W Hook, MD]

When I said that medications would not effect your test results, this included multi-vitamins and vitamin C.  Believe your test results.  EWH

[extremelyworrid67]

Thanks for your reply,

But dont you think that malti-vitamins and vitamin C can make the immune stronger and the antibody test wont detect the antibodies?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  I'll be happy to comment on your question.  The answer to your question is that nutritional supplements of the sort you describe have no effect on the performance of any HIV tests,  Your results are definitive and should be believed.  The thread you refer to above is over two years old and at this time we can say with confidence that there is no indication that any food supplement has any meaningful effect on tests for HIV.  I should add that the tests you have taken have tested both for antibodies to HIV and for the virus p24 antigen- thus you were tested both for antibodies to HIV and also to the virus itself.

In answer to your specific questions:
Could my antibody tests results are false negative and incorrect results? because you said supplements could affect the antibody tests.

Dr. Handsfield made that statement over two years ago and at that time pointed out that such false negative antibody tests were most unlikely.  We are now confident that this is the case.

And before my DUO test I had pills ( the one that makes the person sleepy ) did the pills affected the test result?

No, no effect at all on the test results.

Do I need to stop taking these supplements and go for another DUO or INSTI test?

No, you should believe your tests. They were accurate for the exposure at the time you mentioned.

Take care.  Believe your tests.  EWH