So I had my bloods done for my third and final fresh cycle at a private clinic and they tested fir NK cells which I didn’t think anything of. I’ve had the results today and it seems under 10% is fine but mine are showing as 18% so they have recommended steroids etc.
Firstly can anyone explain a bit about NK cells to me and secondly is the treatment worth it or is it one of those private add ons that doesn’t do anything apart from cost money?
Thanks for reading, any advice is greatly appreciated! Xx
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Hey Hun I had my NK cells testsed via a biopsy after two failed ivf cycles. I had my test done privately at Warwick and coventry hospital. The test cost £540 which included two tests. The biospy showed that I had high NK cells and I was put on steriods tablets from the day of my third transfer. I am now 11 weeks pregnant. So for me I do think it helped. High NK cells are where your body thinks you have a virus when your embryo is transferrd so it trys to fight it. X
Thank you so much read my previous posts because this cycle I done quiet a few things differently, but I do believe the steriods helped loads. I am waiting for my 12 week next month and it's so scary!! You just want everything to be ok. Good luck and please feel free to ask any questions. If you didn't want to go via your clinic like me you can self refer yourself to Warwick and coventry hospital. I travelled from London to go there for my test. The staff are amazing x
I have been told that I have slightly raised NK cells, think mine was around 13% and my consultant wasnt keen for me to have steriods and he has opted for intralipid infusion 4 days prior to transfer. As NDE1987 your body reacts badly to having an embryo put back and your immune system attacks the embryo and kills it before it can get the chance to settle in.xx
Thanks Cinderella, my consultant also mentioned intralipid infusion, I’ve never had it mentioned to me before so it’s exciting that this could be the reason and it could now work (have to hope) but can’t help feeling like is this one of those “add ons” we have all seen/read about! Hopefully it will do the trick though! Xx
Its always a bit of a worry about add ons after watching the panorama programme. However I spoke to another girl that had success after doing intralipids lianm8 . I asked for advice on a post previously so you can have a look at my previous posts. Here is a little link for you to read too. Good luck.xx
Hi if you haven't seen it already, it's worth having a look at the advice from the HFEA which regulates clinics and treatment about add ons - see here hfea.gov.uk/treatments/expl...
How do u know if thats whats affecting pregnancy i have been pregnant 4 other times with no problems now twice i had a chemical preg thru ivf but they thought it was embryo quality so we did pgs testing and now have 1 normal embryo... Do u think i should check NK cells?
This is the first I’d really heard of it and for the cost of a blood test which was about £350 for me, I’d say it’s worth giving it a go as it would be a shame to waste a good embryo if that is a problem for you. Wishing you lots of luck whatever you decide xx
The endocrinologist explained it to me as follows.
The good NK cells protect the embryo, the bad ones want to kick it out as it sees it as foreign (hubby’s DNA). Too many bad NK cells mean your embryo does not stand a chance - even if healthy it can not implant as the NK cells kick it out. We need enough of the good NK cells to protect our embryo for the pregnancy to continue.
He said a lot of this abnormal ratio of bad:good has to do with diet (although obviously not all). I have to cut out all sugar, most dairy (esp whole milk products) and almost all gluten. Those things causes inflammation in your body. Inflammation = more of the ‘bad’ Nk cells, less of the good. He has also put me on daily hydrocortisone to reduce inflammation. I’ve done a fair bit of reading up, and everything he said made a lot of sense. He said diet change alone will not be enough, I need to cortisone to reduce the inflammation. If we get pregnant I then have to slowly wean off it, but diet has to stay the same.
Thank you so much Nix, that’s really helpful and does make sense especially as I suffer quite bad with IBS and food intolerances. I’m looking to go my next cycle beginning of next year now do gives me 3 months to kick start this!
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read my previous posts because this cycle I done quiet a few things differently, but I do believe the steriods helped loads. I am waiting for my 12 week next month and it's so scary!! You just want everything to be ok. Good luck and please feel free to ask any questions. If you didn't want to go via your clinic like me you can self refer yourself to Warwick and coventry hospital. I travelled from London to go there for my test. The staff are amazing x
Immunology - high NK cells and cytokines 
Low dose of steroids for NK cells
Intralipid infusions (NK cell treatment)
Clinic saying NK cell testing not worth it….
