Thyroid Hashimoto's and HIV Antibody testing

[wonderwoman152]

Hi Doctor

A year back i split up with my boyfriend and 5 weeks after my last exposure with him i had a NAAT test for HIV, it came back negative.

Recently i staretd worrying about the accuracy of the NAAT test so i went to my gyno for another test, this time an Elisa antibody test was performed. Again a negative result 9 months after exposure.

I was wondering whether my auto immune disorder, thyroid Hashimoto's (although my underactive thyroid is in check now and has been for a few years now) could affect the results of a HIV antibody test?

Does every HIV positive person produce antibodies?

Am i in the clear?

I really want to put this behind me and move on with my life.

Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, your tests are reliable.  Please beware of all of the stories that one encounters on the internet.  The ones about persons being unable to produce antibodies are almost always untrue and unsubstantiated.  EWH

[wonderwoman152]

Thanks for your prompt reply Dr.

I had heard so many horror stories of people who were HIV positive and were unable to produce antibodies and continued to test negative on an antibody test.

So an Elisa test is fine for a person with hashimotos thyroid?

[wonderwoman152]

Thanks for your prompt reply Dr.

I had heard so many horror stories of people who were HIV positive and were unable to produce antibodies and continued to test negative on an antibody test.

So an Elisa test is fine for a person with hashimotos thyroid?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. Your Hashimoto's will not effect your test results.  Your HIV NAAT at 5 weeks was definitive and does not depend on antibody production.  You can consider your more recent antibody test should be considered confirmatory.

I would not worry further about HIV from your past relationship. EWH