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Ankylosing spondylitis and Methotrexate

Please help me.

I have ankylosing spondylitis. I used methotrexate from 2011, and now i take 12,5 mg MTX every week. I think MTX weaken my immune system. A CBC test 4 months ago shows WBC=7.14, RBC=5.01, PLT=227. Is my immune system good??? Because i have a risk infect HIV, and i have a combo test after 28 days, that result is negative. I dont know about accurate of that test. Somebody ask immunosuppressive drug(MTX) can delay window period test. Please help me, im worried.

Thank you very much, sorry about my bad English.
Best Answer
1193998 tn?1265117597
Hi Xuanha,

I am not familiar with how HIV tests work, but methotrexate does indeed suppress your immune system, which increases your risk for bacterial and viral infection. If you are concerned perhaps you can have the test repeated?

I went online to learn about HIV combo testing, and from what I understand it can detect the presence of the virus earlier than with other types of tests, and it is generally only repeated if the first test is positive. However, as I said before, if you are worried, talk to your doctor about the possible affect of the methotrexate and have the test repeated to put your mind at rest.
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Avatar universal
Thank your answer, Carolanivey.

I will do a test after 12 weeks. Anyway, your answer is made me comfortable.

Thank you again.
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