Brad, I just went to my ID doc. I have always had what they call "blips" in my viral load. I have never been completely undetectable. This last test kinda worried me because I went up to 179, they did another test and it was 68. In talking to my doc, he said what happens, may be normal for me. He said everyone is different. I wouldn't worry to much about the numbers. I always said, I live with HIV in the rear view mirror. Always have. I try to do the right things and not worry about things. My cd4 cells are 800-900. I have been on Triumeq for about 10 years. He did say that if the viral load does go up over 200 or higher then we may think about changing the regimen. My doc is also "retiring" but he wants to keep all of his HIV patients. I only have to go see him once a year. Don't stress yourself too much on what you numbers do, they seem to vary all the time.

Ah two very different and yet significant posts from fellow PWH here.

I agree with Xavier; while knowing our numbers helps us and our medical professionals help manage our various medical conditions; a single number is not worth obsessing over. Ideally our HIV will be "controlled". That might still be the case even if our VL goes above 200. Treatment of the organism that is us will evolve until we stop breathing. The numbers help us adjust things that will make today and tomorrow more comfortable, or ideally less problematic.

If at our core we're still feeling shame over having an infections; I encourage each to forgive themselves. It's a bug not a moral judgement.

William3 wish for a quiet house for a time; I am there right now as I write this. Times of peace with ourselves is a worthy goal.

If you want my honest answer, I really can't answer you. It all depends on the test they used. All those numbers can mean different things with different test. For instance when I was first diagnosed, the test couldn't measure less than 80, then it was 50, the 40, now 20. Some places still use the test that measure only to 40. I know of another place that still measures only down to 50.
Even at 20, you are still clinically undetectable. There have been new studies that even show if you ARE DETECTABLE, low numbers of DETECTABLE are still considered U=U.
Here is a story on DETECTABLE = untransmittable
https://www.eatg.org/hiv-news/experts-say-a-mil...
So I wouldn't worry about the numbers too much. As long as you're undetectable is all that matters.

Experts say a mildly detectable viral load can’t transmit HIV and may be fine treatment-wise | EATG

https://www.eatg.org/hiv-news/experts-say-a-mildly-detectable-viral-load-cant-transmit-hiv-and-may-be-fine-treatment-wise/

Its been 5 years since my diagnosis. In the first 2 years, my blood tests showed a very similar path. But for the last 3 years I have been undetectable. So do as they say. Take your meds regularly!

Certainly a coaster for me, but HIV hasn't been overly dramatic for me. Something I am grateful for as I know for my fellow PLWH it can be a harrowing experience.