Clotting (thrombophilia) screening and NK cell testing.

[Faith84]

Hi all

So cut a long story short I conceived my son naturally in 2013 and have been trying for 3 years with unexplained secondary infertility. Both me and my husband have had all the normal checks he has awesome swimmers and I have a high egg reserve. We had a fresh cycle of ivf in July which failed and it was a good quality day 5 embryo. We had one left in the freezer which we had transfered on Monday and I have started to come on my period. Since having my son the only thing that has changed is my periods I spot brown for 3 days before AF comes and then it only lasts for a few days. I am now starting to think that there must be some reason why implantation is failing as I have had 2 good embryos transferred and it still fails. Has anyone had the NK cell testing and the thrombophilia screening. I just feel going for more rounds and paying for it will be a waste of time as I feel there must be some reason why it's not happening and it just seems a coincidence my periods have now changed since having my son, and I'm not falling pregnant. My clinic don't do this testing so thinking of maybe changing my clinic. Your comments and experiences would be much appreciated x x

[Hidden]

I have not done the NK testing but have done the thrombophilia panel of tests. I also wonder if you have the same blood type as your husband and if not, whether you had anti-d during your last pregnancy? If you have a different blood type you can have a test done to ensure you haven't developed any antibodies against your OH.

Also, how old is your son? Are your eggs frozen from back then or did you harvest them recently?

Have you tried acupuncture to regulate your hormones? Have you had your hormones tested? Sorry, so many questions... x

[Faith84 in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for your reply. I conceived my son naturally after 6 months of trying. The frozen transfer was from the egg collection in July. I've had all the tests thyroid is fine as is my hormones. It's so frustrating. X

[Suzannah1985]

Hi Faith,

Have you had your thyroid checked? If not this is something your gp should be able to do, you can also get a full screening through medichecks privately.

All the best,

Suzannah

[Faith84 in reply to Suzannah1985]

Hi thanks for the reply. I had all these tests before doing ivf. Thyroid is fine. My GP won't touch me with anything as I already have a son x

[silverlini]

Hmmm it’s really hard to say what else it could be. I spot brown three days before my period too which happened after I stopped the pill (like 6 years ago!) I’ve been checked out a few times and they say it’s ‘normal’. I’ve had so many checks going through IVF that everything has come back ok. I’ve just done my first round of IVF, I got pregnant but ended in a chemical. I have a consultation on Wednesday to discuss this so I’m going to ask if my spotting has anything to do with it and whether I need any extra hormone support. I’ll let you know what he says xx

[Faith84 in reply to silverlini]

It really is frustrating isn't it as I just don't want to settle with being told unexplained especially as I conceived my son naturally. I just have a gut feeling that there is a underlying issue. I have also read about taking aspirin to increase blood flow which can be common in implantation and miscarriage. But great any info you could find out would be much appreciated x

[Hidden]

Have you had a laparoscopy? This is a surgical procedure where the surgeon can look for abnormalities such as endometriosis. It’s not as scary as it sounds ( I’ve had 3 to treat endometriosis)

I was in a similar situation to yourself, except I had a son from previous relationship. I fell very easily with my son & went to try for a baby when I married my hubby 12 years later & ran into difficulties. It for nearly 6 years of infertility with “unexplained infertility “ until my endometriosis was diagnosed.

Except for infertility that couldn’t be explained & awful periods one of the first signs of my endometriosis was brown spotting a few days before each period. Endometriosis can only be diagnosed via a laparoscopy ( unless you have the chocolate endo cysts-I didn’t) Lots of medics ignored my pre period spotting & other symptoms, looking back it was so blinking obvious that I had endometriosis 🤦🏽‍♀️

Ie the nk cells test- I had this done 2 years ago via a blood test & with admin fees costed £320 . My results were slightly raised but my fertility doctor preferred the biopsy test, however he did agree that I could take prednisone, which is a low dose steroid during pregnancy. Lots if ladies go to Coventry to Professor Quenby to get a biopsy taken to be tested for nk cells & costs around £500 Mark. Ask your specialist which test they prefer.

The clotting test I’m not sure on, but you could ask your specialist if you could take low dose aspirin alongside treatment as that can prevent clotting.

Before my diagnosis of endometriosis I was told by my first fertility doctor we would need IVF -it was ivf or keep trying & we won’t fund it so were discharged . my second fertility doctor via nhs ( luckily my gynae referred me to him) was much more through & he tried clomid ( which made the endo worse after round 4) & offered me a laparoscopy which found & treated my endometriosis. We then had a chemical pregnancy, but took it as positive that we managed to conceive! I am now after my third laparoscopy done by an surgeon & a round of clomid & I’m now 9 weeks pregnant. Luckily for us the endo was our only issue & by having ALL the endometriosis cleared, taking clomid & a low dose aspirin worked first time! I’m taking prednisone & progesterone pessaries till 12 weeks to give this pregnancy the best chance.

I don’t blame you for wanting answers & I wish you the best. I hope you can find the cause & treat it and truly hope it brings you closer to your much wanted baby ✨✨ xoxo