NK cells testing

[hoping_for_our_time]

Hi, I am in need of some advice as to what tests I should be investing in next.

Our story: Male factor infertility, we have done 5 transfers in total. The first 3 BFN, 2 resulted in pregnancies both of which failed to progress and sadly I experienced missed miscarriages at 11weeks and 8 weeks respectively. For the pregnancies I was on blood thinning injections which I believe aided implantation. Our embryos have all been good quality.

I'm awaiting an appointment with the recurrent miscarriage specialist on the NHS. However it's already been 3 months and we still have no idea of how soon she will see us or what tests they'll do (other than the bloods tests they've done which all appear to have resulted in normal ranges). The testing done on the 'products of conception' as they term it, showed no chromosomal abnormalities.

I am aware of but have little knowledge of immunology testing.......I think this is the route I need to go down. My clinic discourage it, because they say they wouldn't prescribe steroids at present due to Covid. However I'm not prepared to 'just try again' with another transfer and I expect experience the same outcome.

Grateful for any advice on tests you've had and if possible where to get them (I understand this may need to be through private message).

Thank you. x

[Roobs33]

Heya, I’m so sorry for your losses and that you’re experiencing this ❤️ I recently had a missed miscarriage after a FET and was recommended a couple of things. They suggested I could have an EMMA test and said that I should take a course of canesflor vaginal pessaries to make sure there’s no infection or bad bacteria in the uterus. She said if I use those for a while they I probably won’t need the test. I am worried about having raised NK cells as I have severe endometriosis. I know that you can get a blood test for this and also an endometrial biopsy (which is perhaps more thorough than the blood test). The other test names are ALICE & ERA, so you could look those up and hopefully some other people on here will have more insight into what worked for them. It’s such a minefield and so hard to know if anything will help or if the embryos are just chromosomally abnormal. I’ve been speaking with a nutritionist as will do another full round in June as have no embryos left so hoping that will help my egg quality, taking loads of supplements.

My clinic is in the south East so can private message you details if it’s possible it could be near to you.

Wishing you the best of luck and definitely push for what you feel is right for you. A lot of these tests are new which is why some clinics are sceptical and some aren’t. And like everything- some things work for others and some don’t but best to give it your best shot ❤️ Xxx

[sab_uk]

My baby is 5 months old - I would not have got pregnant if it wasn’t for NK testing I’m sure of it. Have you had your antibodies tested? You can do that first of all quite inexpensively as a finger prick test. I had clexane throughout pregnancy, steroids, hydroxycholoquine, intralipids and IVIG. I never ever thought I would hold a baby in my hands - it was such a journey. It is a minefield but I would go with the thyroid antibodies test to start with. This is when I found out I had too many and went from there with the NK testing which confirmed a high amount of NK cells. PM if you would like any more info. Best of luck and go with your heart xx

[sab_uk in reply to sab_uk]

I would also agree with you to not ‘go again’ with same protocol - something needs to change. I had all these immunosuppressants during covid and was absolutely fine - my husband got covid and I didn’t! I was so happy that my clinic continued with them. I hope yours does too. Steroids do so much x

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

For more information about certain tests take a look at hfea.gov.uk '' Treatment Add-Ons'' and see what HFEA recommendThinking of you

Janet

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely, I had 5 failed FETs with ERA / extra progesterone, blood thinners etc.

Before our 6th I also wanted to do more testing so had my immune panel done. My NK cells came back elevated so the 6th transfer I was given steroids and intralipids - it worked.

I’ve just given birth!

I would definitely recommend having it checked xx