Implantation failure : I’ve just... - Fertility Network UK

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Implantation failure

HollyCG profile image
31 Replies

I’ve just received my second BFN. Feeling hopeless! First fresh cycle in December transferred 5aa blast & this time FET another 5aa blast. Both didn’t implant - I know the majority of the time they say it is down to the embryo but I just can’t help feeling like there is another issue. My reasons for needing IVF is low amh 2.9 when tested back in August (I’m 29 was 28 at time of testing) I then discovered I have an under active thyroid so was treated with Levothyroxine & sourced LDN for the thyroid antibodies - both now under control so was feeling optimistic this time. I am now moving to CRGH & have my first consultation next week as I am hoping for further testing. I have 2 frozen embryos left and really don’t want to waste them if I have some sort of immune issue! Anyone experienced anything similar???

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HollyCG profile image
HollyCG
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31 Replies
Chicky86 profile image
Chicky86

Just wanted to say good luck and keep the faith!

I had my first cycle in December, fresh transfer failed. Second transfer (frozen) in February also failed. Leaving me 2 embryos left, I had my 3rd transfer in April and I'm now 7weeks and 4 days pregnant!

Hopefully this gives you a bit of hope, there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel!

Xx

HollyCG profile image
HollyCG in reply to Chicky86

Congratulations!!! That really has lifted my spirits. Did you do anything different on your last cycle? Wishing you all the best! Xx

Chicky86 profile image
Chicky86 in reply to HollyCG

Thank you!

In myself, I tried to just be a bit healthier, and exercised more leading up to transfer. Not sure if it helped with the transfer, but certainly helped me mentally.

Cycle wise, the only thing different was the use of Embryoglue, although I know a lot of clinics use as standard, mine didn't. It made me feel as though I'd done all I possibly could to help it along!

You'll get there xx ❤️

Skittles11 profile image
Skittles11

Hiya. I have low AMH at 3.5. We have had 3 IVF cycles and 2 transfers; one with a good embryo, one with two not so good embryos. No implantation. My thyroid results have recently gone up, with TSH at 4.65 and testing positive for Thyroid antibodies. I am now taking levothyroxine but not LDN - what is that? I've heard mixed views about what the TSH should be, mine was previously within the NHS range but was at the high side of it. Since then it has increased. Like you, we also have 2 frozen embryos. We're having the repeat implantation failure tests (without chromosome testing) as I have had the two implantation failures and also a chemical pregnancy. We do not have many embryos per cycle so like you want to ensure we are doing what we can to prevent "wasting" embryos.

Not sure if this helps but thought I would share my experience as it seems to mirror yours quite closely x

HollyCG profile image
HollyCG in reply to Skittles11

Hey, our situation sounds very similar! My TSH was 4.9 which is within normal range according to the NHS however when trying to conceive I’ve been told It should be no higher then 2.5 so you should maybe look into increasing your dose of Levo. LDN is a drug called low dose naltrexone- it works by balancing your immune system - I found out about it after doing research on lowering your thyroid antibodies as my clinic were not bothered by how high mine were after my first failed round and I was convinced it played a part in the failed implantation- I started taking it in January and my antibodies were within normal range by my second round last month however it still failed so maybe the antibodies made no difference!

I have decided to move clinics to CRGH London and take my two Frosties with me - I have my first consultation on Tuesday and am hoping to get all the immune testing side of things done & I’m even considering another fresh cycle to attempt to get some more embryos & have them all PGS tested together. As much as I want to have my next transfer ASAP I’m so worried that my AMH has probably gone down even more & the two Frosties I have may be no good 😢 and by the time I realise that it might be too late to get anymore embryos? Maybe I’m losing it! I have gone into panic mode. Xx

Marisa32 profile image
Marisa32 in reply to Skittles11

TSH should be below 2 ideally 1 when ttc and during 1st trimester. That's what endocrinologists will want, the usual thyroid ranges used for general population do not apply to women ttc or pregnant women. None my IVF clinics would even begin a cycle until my thyroid was under 2.

HollyCG profile image
HollyCG in reply to Marisa32

That’s interesting - my results were 2.19 just before my last cycle and my clinic said they were fine - I always assumed the lower the better so will adjust my dose myself to try and keep it as low as possible going forward. Thank you!

Marisa32 profile image
Marisa32 in reply to HollyCG

2.19 is probably not alarming but it's on the higher end. My endocrinologist did explain to me why closer to 1 is best but I forgot her exact words. I have Hashimoto's and was able to get 2 successful pregnancies only when it was at 1 or less.

HollyCG profile image
HollyCG in reply to Marisa32

Sorry to ask but did you ever fall pregnant before your successful pregnancies? Wondering if TSH being higher is maybe a reason for implantation failure both naturally and in IVF.

Marisa32 profile image
Marisa32 in reply to HollyCG

I was ttc for about 8 months with no luck, so I went to fertility clinic. They diagnosed my high TSH, sent me to endocrinologist to fix it and I got pregnant naturally right before starting stims. So maybe it did the trick, who knows. When trying for 2nd baby, I also brought it down to 1 and got pregnant. The second pregnancy didn't come as easy because I was 41 at that point.

Hi, as hard as it is try and stay positive. First 2 fresh rounds i had the same thing with no real reason (I have high AMH) . 3rd go we tweaked the dosage for stims. I'm now 26 weeks pregnant with twins. Sometimes it feels like a lottery but small changes can make all the difference xx

HollyCG profile image
HollyCG in reply to

Congratulations! Double the blessing! All these success stories give me a glimmer of hope - they do say third time lucky 🤞🏼wishing you a healthy pregnancy xxx

islwyn profile image
islwyn

1.5years ago I had hyperactive thyroid during first transfer, medicated w TSH 1.1. No implantation. It was a 5day textbook looking blast. Fast forward to last month, my hyperthyroid in remission (TSH=0.8) no meds, but another doc found out I have high TH1/TH2 ratio, DNA marker for diabetes, blood clot, took meds with it and tried again w a 5AB dna tested 5day blast, still failed. But at least this time it tried to implant, cos we found small level of HCG. Frankly, the doc told me it’s bad luck as we have done everything according to textbook... Have immune tests if you can afford it, it told me so much about myself and narrow down the treatment options rather than trial and error, which is mentally draining. I know i have immune issue becos I have mild allergies to food and hayfever.

islwyn profile image
islwyn in reply to islwyn

On top of immunity, test vit D level.

HollyCG profile image
HollyCG in reply to islwyn

These are the sort of tests I’m hoping to have done - it is expensive but I figured will hopefully save us money and heartache in the long run rather than doing two more transfers with no success if there is an underlying issue. Wishing you luck on your journey xx

McCabeSuzanne profile image
McCabeSuzanne

I transferred 3 good quality blastocysts over time and none of them implanted. Doctors couldnt see any reason why they would not implant. So they recommended i had biopsy so they could do further testing on the walls of my uterus. Turns out i was one day “post receptive” basically means that they were transferring the embryo one day too late. So changed process so that embryo was transferred on day 4 of taking progesterone, instead of day 5. Had a postive pregnancy test after that. Now 17 weeks pregnant. Cost approx £1500 though. Good luck

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2

Sorry to hear of your BFN, It’s so tough (especially right now) but keep the faith- it was transfer number 4 that worked for me after other more ‘perfect’ embryos failed to implant (fresh & frozen). I started to think something else was wrong but it was just down to embryo and the right time. Wishing you all the luck in the world 🤗💐 xx

Koala365 profile image
Koala365

I have had three unsuccessful IVFs and cycle 2 we transferred 2 blastocyts and cycle 3 we transferred 1 and they all failed to implant - all fresh cycles. I am taking a break from IVF to enjoy life again without all the pressure and emotional stress and to try naturally and prepare for next IVF. I have had an initial consultation with an acupuncturist who specialises in fertility issues. Her thoughts were that because I initially got pregnant naturally resulting in a missed miscarriage,and that was my first ever miscarriage, my body may have got confused and still be suffering from the trauma of that experience which has been increased by the feeling of a lack of safety due to the pandemic and embryos are now failing to implant because of all this. She thinks acupuncture should help with this. I haven't started it yet so have no idea if it will work but I think in my circumstances it is worth a try...especially before I try IVF spending all that money again!

Koala365 profile image
Koala365 in reply to Koala365

*first ever pregnancy (although it was also my first and only miscarriage)

HollyCG profile image
HollyCG in reply to Koala365

I can only imagine how emotionally drained you are! It really does consume your whole life. I cannot stop looking at my calendar and trying to figure out dates. I am going to throw every test possible at my next round and just pray for the best. I had acupuncture and reflexology through my last two cycles & it definitely did help me to relax. Sending you lots of positive thoughts xxxx

Eims18 profile image
Eims18

Hi there , so sorry! Have you had the embryos tested. The PGS test? I had to and although only got one back it was normal. May be worth it

HollyCG profile image
HollyCG in reply to Eims18

Hey, not just yet as my current clinic didn’t offer the testing but Im having them transferred to CRGH and have my first consult on Tuesday and will hopefully get the ball rolling - am worried none will come back normal but if that is the case then at least I haven’t gone through another couple of rounds for nothing. Did you have a successful cycle with your normal embryo? How many embryos did you have tested? i only have 2 left so thinking of doing another fresh cycle to hopefully get some more 🤞🏼🤞🏼

Eims18 profile image
Eims18 in reply to HollyCG

Hi there

I only had 3 embryos and only one came back normal. But I am 7 weeks and baby has a great heartbeat 💗

Nilanou profile image
Nilanou

Hi, what’s LDN? I’ve got the same issues, under active thyroid caused by hasimotos. I was advised to cut gluten and dairy to bring antibodies down but I haven’t retested yet to see if it’s worked. My issue is also implantation and would be keen on further tests to understand why but clinics don’t seem keen to do anything. I don’t want to waste more embryos either! Good luck and hopefully you can find a solution asap! x

HollyCG profile image
HollyCG in reply to Nilanou

It’s a drug called low dose naltrexone that supposedly works by balancing your immune system I actually found out about it on here when I was looking into reducing thyroid antibodies before my second cycle. My antibodies went from 655 to 100 in those 3 months.

I have also been gluten free for about the same time so could be a combination of both. I monitor my thyroid privately with Medichecks and noticed as soon as I started the IVF meds my TSH started creeping back up so I had to up my dose of levo so keep that in mind if your going through IVF. My clinic don’t seem bothered by my thyroid or the antibodies & even when I suggest something could be going on with my immune system which is why I’m moving clinics. I really want to get to the bottom of it!

Nilanou profile image
Nilanou in reply to HollyCG

Aw fab thank you. I had to go through medichecks as well as nobody else was interested. Mine were 482 and I couldn’t believe the clinic didn’t consider it to be an issue.

Try to stay positive, I’m on my second cycle, currently in the dreaded 2ww with 2 embryos on board, it can take a few go’s at ivf before they implant, every cycle is emotionally exhausting and we all feel your pain, don’t give up hope, hang in there and know that we’ve all been through similar and we’re all here for support. I’m so glad that I found this forum, it’s actually helping to keep me sane! Xx

HollyCG profile image
HollyCG in reply to

Thank you for such kind words - since posting yesterday I am feeling so much better. The show must go on! Good luck with your pregnancy test! Xxxx

in reply to HollyCG

Definitely, 3rd time lucky!! Glad you’re feeling better! Thank you, I bought loads of tests but have decided I’m going to wait, too scared to check and I only had my transfer on Thursday afternoon so probably too early still but here’s hoping 🤞 🤞🤞 xxx

K8dferXdder profile image
K8dferXdder

Hi there, just wondered how things are with you after you moved clinics. Hopefully you’ve had success. Have you tried any special treatment since your last post and what is the outcome?I am waiting for my next FET soon 🤞

HollyCG profile image
HollyCG in reply to K8dferXdder

Hey, yes I was treated for raised NK cells with intralipid infusions & steroids before my 3rd transfer & I’m currently 21 weeks pregnant! 🙏Xxx

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