Is the 'sticky blood' test worth it after recurrent miscarriage?

[anz07]

I had my follow up appointment with the consultant today after my third failed round of IVF. This was my third chemical pregnancy from my IVF treatment and I am concerned that tests are now required (NB: I am 33 and in a same-sex relationship with no known fertility issues). He has recommended doing the 'sticky blood' test to test for blood clotting. It costs £625! I was shocked at the price and am convinced that I do not have a blood clotting problem. Alas, I know it's best to get the test done and have some answers. Has anyone else done this test and had any light shed on their situation from it?

I was on blood thinners in my last cycle anyway (Clexane injections and baby aspirin) and they clearly didn't make the necessary difference.

My progesterone levels have never been checked by my clinic; they just kept upping the dose each cycle. This time I demanded a blood test to check my levels and they were at 147 which apparently is what they should be during the third trimester, so I definitely have more than enough progesterone going on!

I am so disappointed with my clinic. The consultant hadn't even read my file and had to keep going back to my medical notes every time I asked a question. Why do we pay so much money to get such poor service? I've had a different consultant call me on each cycle and have no idea about what is going on.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. Any advice greatly appreciated - everyone on here has been so wonderful. Thank you all.

[Pcck]

After 3 miscarriages, your GP should support investigations such as blood tests. Ours referred us to a Recurrent Miscarriage clinic. We've paid for plenty privately too but they were happy to do all the ones that they would normally do.

[anz07 in reply to Pcck]

Thanks Pcck. I have asked for a phone call with my GP but am not holding my breath. My GP has been very strict about blood tests in the past and refuses to sign off on anything to do with my IVF treatment as I’m self-funded. I’ve been in tears to the GP about this in the past so am feeling pretty hopeless about getting any help there. 😞

[Pcck in reply to anz07]

Yeah, I understand. We're self funded too. However, my argument with our GP has always been that we could be getting pregnant naturally, we're miscarrying and some ancillary support would be great! I went on quite the rant last time (they didn't even want to check my HCG last time, to confirm my latest miscarriage was complete! Like I wanted to be testing for that!?) and they did test what we asked for.

[pineapp1e in reply to anz07]

I would ask to see a different Doctor. We were the same, self funded IVF, but after three miscarriages the NHS process is to refer for further testing so you should push for this. Unfortunately I had to request to see a different doctor to get referral to a recurrent miscarriage clinic. You are entitled to these tests so as frustrating and upsetting as it is, don’t accept no for an answer. Best of luck to you xx

[Hidden]

We had our fertility referral app booked & I had kept the app just incase (I hadn’t cancelled) even tho I was pregnant but we lost that pregnancy a week before the app so I rang to ask if we could use that app for reoccurring mc tests which we did they did all the tests available bloods for sticky blood thyroid etc then a uterus scan for abnormalities all came back fine when away 11 mths later I rang for a follow up abs asked for fertility tests as I was 39 we got them done too all again fine except amh was low & that’s were it ended no treatment was offered. All that was free if we had ivf it would have been self funded as I’ve 2 older kids.

[FM91]

Hi. Sorry to hear about ur losses. Definitely ring your GP. U having ivf done; whether private or nhs, should not hinder your chance to be put through to the recurrent miscarriage clinic at all. I was going through all my ivf consultations;tests and so on when i had my third miscarriage (naturally) and the ivf clinic as was through nhs transferred me directly to the recurrent miscarriage clinic. They did lots of different blood tests, scans, dye test... When you ring your GP just be assertive and almost ask as if you’ve been told to be transferred. So just mention that ‘im ringing to be transferred to the recurrent miscarriage clinic as iv had x amount of miscarriages. And i need to get these tests done before i think about going ahead with my ivf’. Dont mention ivf if you dnt need to if they are awkward about it. If they are being awkard with you, you just need to say whatever you can to get that appointment. Hope this helps x

[Hidden]

Hi anz. Im sorry you going through this. I think finding answers is good although you said you were on blood thinners.

Sorry to ask but were the cycles bfn or miscarriages. As others said most gps will do investigations or refer you to consultant after 3 miscarriages. Usually the blood clotting is the first test. You can go even further by doing hysteroscopy laparoscopy immune and genetic testing (usually private although nhs can offer the hysteroscopy and lap).

[hifer]

Hun what a tough one. So sorry you don’t feel like your treatment is up to scratch. Have you thought about changing? It’s so important to have faith in your consultant.

You’ve asked a very difficult question re ‘sticky blood test’. I had this done last year after my second miscarriage at the hospital so it was on the NHS. In fact I’ve had it done 3 times as the hospital wanted to check it was accurate! It was positive all 3 times so I’ve been put on blood thinners this round. I don’t know if it would have made a difference in previous rounds but I guess I’m glad I’m armed with the facts going forwards so can do everything possible for the future. X