Clinic Advising Tests

[Suz92]

Hi, we have recently had an unsuccessful FET and our clinic are recommending further tests before going for another FET. It’s a lot of money so we don’t know what to do for the best. If doing the tests would help our chances, we would need to save but it might be money well spent. We’re so confused! Any advise would be very gratefully received🙂

The tests are:

ER map

I-Map (Natural Killers)

Th1/Th2

Pathological anatomy and endometrial culture

CD 138

Minimally invasive hysteroscopy (to see if there are any adhesions or lesions in the uterus)

Thanks so much for reading and thanks for any advice 🙂 My head hurts from trying to think about this myself 🤦‍♀️ And I don’t want to go near Dr Google lol!!

[RhinoCat]

No clue about these tests. Hopefully someone will help soon. On one level it’s good they’ve suggested something but …. When money is concerned it’s so so hard to know 💐😘 sending hugs

[Suz92 in reply to RhinoCat]

It’s so hard to make a decision. Thanks so much for the hugs. Hugs to you too 😘xx

[IVFat40]

If you're in the UK you might be able to get the hysteroscopy on the NHS. I'm self-funding my IVF, but after 5 failed transfers my GP was happy to refer me for a hysteroscopy through the NHS. It was a slightly over 6 month wait, but I think that depends on the area so you might be luckier.

In terms of natural killer cell testing I think there are a few different options, although I'm unsure which is best, and I've not heard of I-Map. I've self-referred for uterine NK cell testing at the implantation clinic run by professors Quenby and Brosens (linked to Warwick University). I think they're quite well respected in their field and the total cost is £540.

Wishing so much luck and success.

[Suz92 in reply to IVFat40]

Thanks so much. We’re with a clinic in Spain after having quite a few unsuccessful attempts in the UK. I really trust this Spanish clinic, but can’t decide whether to spend more money on the tests. My gut says yes but will see if I can find more evidence for the tests being useful. Really appreciate you answering xx

[Hanj10]

After recurrent miscarriage I also self referred to Coventry for uterine NK cells and that came back normal. After my first FET failed the clinic recommended TH1/TH2 testing which came back really high so they recommended Intralipids and steroids. I also opted for endometrial scratch as I had had miscarriages since my uterine NK cell testing so they could have changed and was cheaper for scratch than testing again! I also had PAI-1 gene testing for faulty clotting and that came back abnormal so I was also on clexane blood thinners and aspirin. 2nd FET worked and I'm now 18 weeks 😀

[Suz92]

That’s amazing news, congratulations!!! Thanks so much for replying. I probably should have said in the initial post, but I am already on clexane, aspirin, thyroxin, steroids and intralipids. So I’m not sure what would change with the tests. We did do the tests in 2019 and were so very grateful to get pregnant with our daughter. I think the clinic just put me on the same protocol and when it didn’t work, perhaps they want to redo the tests to make sure nothing has changed. 18 weeks is amazing! I hope you’re keeping well and any sickness is easing for you. I was dreadfully nauseous up to 17 weeks whereas my sister had 3 occasions of sickness. Everyone is different 😍 So so happy for you!!xx

[Hanj10 in reply to Suz92]

Thankyou luckily for me I have had no sickness and minimal symptoms! Well if you're already on the treatments I would think it seems a waste of money to carry out all the tests again. I guess the hysteroscopy and culture could be worth a go? It could also be that the embryo you happened to transfer just wasn't viable. For me the reason I did the tests after first failed FET was that the embryos were all chromosome tested and normal so I knew that it was less likely to be the embryo. Forgot to mention we also did Sperm DNA fragmentation testing before starting the IVF cycle and even though hubby has 2 kids from his previous marriage his fragmentation was really high (it can fluctuate) so he was on Menevit supplements for 3 months prior to egg collection.

[Suz92]

That’s great you have minimal symptoms! Makes the pregnancy go so fast hopefully! The only test that concerns me is the er-mapping to see when I’m most receptive. Im worried that it has changed since my previous pregnancy. All our Frosties are chromosome tested too and all came back with good results.

Hubby is very reluctant to spend more money and I agree with him, but just don’t want to put another embryo in if the timing isn’t exactly right. But as you say, it most likely didn’t work this time because the embryo wasn’t viable. Thanks so much again!

It seems you and your hubby have been through a lot too!

[Summertime12]

I would do what the clinic is recommending. You did your immunes testing back in 2019 and alot can change in a few months let alone a few years. I had to repeat my tests because it had been 7 months. They are the experts, follow their advice so you don't regret it xx

[Suz92 in reply to Summertime12]

I think that’s really good advice, thank you!xx