Has anyone had an abnormal ANA (anti-nuclear factor) blood test?

[anz07]

I have had three early miscarriages (4 weeks, 5 weeks and 4 weeks) from my three embryo transfers to date. I'm 33 and have no known health conditions or fertility problems (I'm in a same-sex relationship so IVF was inevitable for us).

Because of my recurrent miscarriages, I recently had a series of bloods taken and one has come back as 'abnormal' which is the anti-nuclear factor one (known as the ANA test). My research on Dr Google indicates that: "There is a connection between ANAs (antinuclear antibodies) and recurrent miscarriages...ANAs suggest the possibility of autoimmune diseases...Women with this syndrome produce phospholipid antibodies (such as anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant) that increase the risk of premature miscarriage."

I am waiting for my doctor to call me back in a couple of days but am growing concerned by this info. Has anyone else had an abnormal ANA result? If so, what did you do?

I'm not sure if this is linked to the 'natural killer cells' literature. Annoyingly, my clinic do not test for NK cells and said the research is too grey in this area. However, I am fed up of getting positive pregnancy tests that quickly fade away. My body seems to do a good job of implanting embryos but quickly rejects (or destroys?) them. This ANA diagnosis may therefore be the reason why I keep going through this...

Any feedback/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

[Ivfgotadream]

Hi there a positive ANA isn’t the same as NK cells - I tested borderline positive for ANAs - I was given prednisolone steroids as part of my protocol (except the transfer which resulted in my twins - due to covid I wasn’t allowed to take it 🤣)

[anz07 in reply to Ivfgotadream]

Thank you for your response, that's interesting! So maybe the steroids aren't as important as we think they are?! I haven't been recommended anything as yet. My understanding is that I am also borderline positive...am awaiting recommendations now xx

[leo1980]

Hello. I tested positive for ANA too and was given the steroid to use. My understanding was that we all had to be ANA positive - because we are alive?? Means we have antibodies to fight of stuff.

[anz07 in reply to leo1980]

Thank you for your reply. Have the steroids made any difference so far? My GP says my result is borderline positive and I am waiting to see what the consultant at the recurrent miscarriage clinic recommends now xx

[Chel91]

Hi lovely, do you know what your result is in numbers? I know there is a big difference being 1:40 or 1:100, compared to 1:320 or 1:1000 etc. The higher the second number the higher chance there is an immune issue going on, and yes there are studies linking it to infertility / miscarriage. I think steroids are usually given for a high result depending on the full factors, which I would definitely ask about. I had a very high positive, which isn't great news, but hoping it does provide an explanation for some of my issues (chemical pregnancy and miscarriage). I'm now on prednisone and heparin xx

[anz07 in reply to Chel91]

Thank you for your reply, it has been very helpful. I spoke to my GP yesterday and she said my result was 1:160 (I think...she said '1 to 1 in 160'...I didn't really understand any of it!!). She said it was a positive result but a very low positive and that it was unlikely anything to be concerned by. However, she said to inform the consultant at the recurrent miscarriage clinic, which I will do, in case they want further investigations. Fingers crossed they can provide some more insight xx

[Icsi_Wincy_Spider]

Hi, I found out a few weeks ago (via blood test) that I was ANA positive (unsure of numbers) so now I have to go on a 2 hour intra lipid drip before and after transfer. Bloody expensive - about £200 each dose. It contains egg and soy apparently.

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