About NK cells in IVF

[trishabhowmik]

Can anyone tell about the NK cells biopsy or NK cells for blood? Which purpose this tests should be done? Its so expensive. Is there any better outcome with this tests? I have severe endometriosis, what is the necessacity of this tests?

[LouCollier]

if you are going to have it done I would recoment the biopsy. I paid for this to be done as I was having miscarriages and failed IVF transfers. the results shows high NK cells. (you can also have too low NK cells too) I strongly believe taking the meds for this is the reason I have my son today

Wishing you so much luck xx

[trishabhowmik in reply to LouCollier]

Thanks. Congrats for yur success.I have severe endo and my consultant also recommended for nk cells biopsy. Have you done the blood tests as well?

[LouCollier in reply to trishabhowmik]

thank you. No just the biopsy. someone advised me not to go with the blood test because that isn't telling yot what is happening in that particular area, just your over all body. which makes sense but not sure if its true xx

[Gabriella89]

Really you should have both as they can tell you different things - my bloods were high but my endometrial biopsy was low so we needed to hit a really delicate balance on both before we did a transfer. The biopsy can be done at the same time as an ERA, Emma, Alice test which can save some costs…

My personal experience is that it’s completely worth doing, until I had both these tests I just kept having failed implantations with no explanation so it was a relief to find out what was actually wrong with me…

[LSandJ in reply to Gabriella89]

So glad they helped you! Can I ask what treatment you added in after these results? I've only had bloods, but am not sure if the treatment would be different if I also find high UNK??@!

[Gabriella89 in reply to LSandJ]

normally it’s treated with steroids, intralipid drips and IVIG drips for high NKC, for low NKC in the endometrium we also added HCG injections. Best of luck!

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi trisha..... You did ask!.... Recently, a special type of immune cell has been found in the endometrial lining of the uterus. They are found particularly at the time of implantation of an embryo and during the early weeks of pregnancy. Because of similarities in appearance to NK cells they were called “uterine” NK cells. However, uterine NK cells are very different from the NK cells found in the blood because they remain in the endometrium and do not circulate in the blood stream. It is thought that uterine NK cells play an important role in implantation and in establishing the circulation of the early placenta. No evidence has been found to show that uterine NK cells have any effect on the embryo or developing baby. The normal range of NK cells in the blood of healthy women varies from 5% - 30% depending upon the stage of the menstrual cycle at the time of testing. A few clinics have established screening tests to measure the level of blood NK cells for patients with a history of infertility, failed IVF or recurrent miscarriages. On finding a raised level of blood NK cells, treatments have been offered to reduce the levels in the belief that improved pregnancy outcomes will be achieved. These include treatments with soluble aspirin, heparin, steroids, and/or intravenous immuno-globulin. Obviously, these treatments need to be thoroughly explained before their usage. Put as simply as I can! Diane

[DG2022 in reply to DianeArnold]

thank you for this info!! X

[trishabhowmik in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you so much for your kind information. So which one would be beneficial, either uterine or blood? My consultant told me to do uterine. But I heard blood also needs to be done sometimes. So got confused. Though its a very expensive test.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to trishabhowmik]

Hi. Ideally both, but a lining sample would be good. Diane

[trishabhowmik in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks.that means uterine biopsy?

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to trishabhowmik]

Hi. Yes. the endometrium. Diane

[trishabhowmik in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks very much

[Bookbroad]

not sure if this helps but my clinic have agreed to put me on the steriods without completing the test. The costs difference is massive - about £20 for the steroids and the risks are minimal. Might be something to explore.