Low NK cells

[Conceivingblee]

Hi Just wondering if anyone had had low NK results and what was done about it in terms of a plan. Mine are really low. I've a call with Prof Brosens later in the month. But thought I'd ask if anyone had experienced this and what happened for them. Did anyone have a successful pregnancy/birth after treatment. I've now had 9 implantation failures 2 with separate DE. I had myself referred to TOMMYs and self referred to the implantation clinic aligned with them to try and understand what's going. I have Adeno and polyps which my Clinic have never discussed with me despite them knowing from cycle 1 and not informing me of that. So I had no idea until I asked for my notes. So I'm fuming about this as I need an hysteroscopy to remove the polyps and who knows if this has been what's caused the failures.

But anyway I digress back to the NK. And info greatly received.

[Mlove12]

Hey, I also went to the same clinic for same test. Just wanted to reassure you that dr Brosens is really informative and I’m sure he’ll give you some solid advice. My NK cells were low but on the verge of Normal (I posted about this alongside a picture of graph if you want to take a look) so he didn’t feel I needed any treatment so I’m sorry I can’t advise on that part. Make a list of questions you want to ask for sure! Glad I did as hes quite direct with the results but doesnt necessarily open up subjects/suggestions moving forward for the next round, so asking questions helped. Xx

[Conceivingblee in reply to Mlove12]

Aww thanks for your reply. So mine are on the lower end of low. So be interesting to see what he says. What questions did you ask. Did you get your other results aswell? I'm hoping he will have these when we have our consultation on the 22nd?

[Mlove12 in reply to Conceivingblee]

We got all of our results in one to which was good, we were told it would be a 4-5 week wait but got them in 3 weeks altogether. We asked questions (obviously related to our own circumstances) such as considering ICSI, he then suggested this be a good idea and to look at the fertilisation of the eggs since our last round had 0 fertilised. I asked about further testing, he really encouraged another round due to our age (28) despite my low AMH (said he doesnt beleive in AMH lol) and that if it failed to go back to him and he would complete another set of testing if we would like as some results can vary month to month. He didn’t want to give ‘advice’ as such as this isn’t really his role, he’s more to just investigate what we’ve paid him to but he dropped hints as to carry on which was nice to hear but also not frustrating! We asked about supplements, anything he would suggest to do differently pretty much. I hope your appointment goes ok! Hopefully you’ll get some answers x x

[Conceivingblee in reply to Mlove12]

Aww thanks for this. Hopefully I get everything on the 22nd. And maybe a plan for my last try. If it doesn't work then we've literally exhausted everything. So I can say I didn't give it my all.

X

[river242]

I have low NK cells - 4 failed transfers and a MC. Thats been a mix of own eggs and donor eggs. The added complication is I also have high thyroid antibodies. This transfer I'm taking prednisolone, clexane, tacrolimus and adding in granocyte protocol which is supposed to be really effective for immune issues so fingers crossed. Would be interested to see how you get on, best of luck.

[Conceivingblee in reply to river242]

Hi River242. Oh god sounds like a right mix of meds. My thyroid is OK . I've obviously googled low uNKs and it seems to be that it could be caused by infection or autoimmune issues but I feel like with all the other tests I've had that should of flagged. So unsure really everything I read is always about high NK noone really mentions the low do they. I hope your meds are the answer for you. And I hope to see good updates from you. I'm 44 now so I'm losing the time battle in my own head even using DE. I'm also going to move clinics for my final go. As I'm so fed up with mine. So a fresh pair of eyes might help 🙏Keep me updated on your journey. And good luck

[river242 in reply to Conceivingblee]

I'm having treatment in Spain which has generally been the best choice for me. Yes I'd also never heard of low NK cells being a thing until after my biopsy. My acupuncturist has also put me on mushroom supplements which are supposed to help... but I know not everyone feels comfortable with herbal options.

[Conceivingblee in reply to river242]

I eat mushrooms daily. Like I'm addicted to them. Lol I wonder whats in mushrooms that help? Are you UK based but treatment in Spain? How are you balancing that with life? That's what worries me about going abroad. Balancing with my job etc.

[river242 in reply to Conceivingblee]

Yes I'm in Scotland but having treatment in Alicante. I've just used annual leave so far. We've been out 4 times in total- 2 transfers, the biopsy and one time for tests for my husband. I get my scans and bloods done here. Generally we're only out 2-3 days so it's not been too bad. It's a little expensive if treatment lands in the summer but the treatment itself and the meds are so much cheaper so I find it overall balances out. I'm not sure about the mushrooms, I'm taking turkey tail supplements which is supposed to help with NK cells, but advised to stop from transfer day. Who knows if there's anything in it but I'll try anything at this stage.

[Conceivingblee in reply to river242]

I hear you. Its crazy the lengths we will go to isn't it. Whens your next transfer? Is it soon. I'm waiting for all my tests to come back plus I need a hysteroscopy now identified through TOMMYS as have polyps which I've had since cycle 1 and my Clinic never told me. What a waste if that was also causing an issue. Just want yo have a child. It shouldn't be so hard should it xx

[river242 in reply to Conceivingblee]

I know, its so frustrating that it's just not an unreasonable ask from life. Yes, 28th so not long now. Hopefully they can sort that out for you easily enough, frustrating though that not been mentioned before x

[Katkan in reply to Conceivingblee]

In my opinion removing of polyps is very important, my mom had 3 or 4 surgeries for polyps before conceiving my brother through IVF and now she insists that I might have polyps, because of my spotting 1 week before my cycle starts and fertility issues. My clinic however does not think so, I might have to request my notes.

[Conceivingblee in reply to Katkan]

Absolutely get it checked Katkan we are 35k deep. I wish I'd known before all those wasted embryos and my biology gone as I'm now to old to use my own eggs really.So I think your mum's right.

[Katkan in reply to Conceivingblee]

Conceivingblee, did you have symptoms due to the polyps, like spotting or bleeding more than usual?

[Conceivingblee in reply to Katkan]

Nope nothing at all

[Katkan in reply to Conceivingblee]

Then most likely they are insignificant, I would think.

[Conceivingblee in reply to Katkan]

I don't believe so at this point not after having 9 implantation failures. Alot of women have no symptoms and the professor at TOMMYs certainly thinks they need to come out.

[Katkan in reply to Conceivingblee]

Yes, for sure it is better to take them out, but my mom has told me that she had a lot of spotting between periods all the time after I was born and after each surgery it was reduced until they grew back. This is why because I spot for a week before my period she thinks of polyps. But the clinic does not say they see that. I am surprised you can have polyps with no symptoms, but hey, this area is still so gray...

[Nat89]

I hope he gave you sitagliptin xx

[Laurapax]

Hi there, hope you don't mind me messaging on this older thread but i've recently received my results from EMMA ALICE and NK cells which shows I have low NK Cells and need a protocol to reflect this. I am heading into my first FET as have been embryo banking with PTGA due to two miscarriages (natural and MMC) from natural conception. I'm trying for my first and now rapidly approaching 38 - started ttc 36. I am really concerned by the low NK cells as I cant seem to find much info on it or other ladies that also have this. It seems most have elevated and then use steroids which seems to do the trick. Sorry for a ramble I just am feeling quite overwhelmed, stressed and worried about this issue which I wasn't expecting. I hope everyone is doing ok xxx

[Conceivingblee in reply to Laurapax]

Hey LaurapaxThey don't really treat low at all. They seemed unconcerned in my case and never treated mine at all.

Good luck with you cycle x

[Laurapax]

Hey Conceivingblee thanks so much for sharing your experience, did your clinic recommend anything related to low nk cells? For me they have said Neupogen infusion and intriplids i think. From looking at the Tommys website it says that RIF and miscarriages could be because NK cells to high or low as low there is not enough inflammation. I really didnt want to have any immune issues as it feels like such a head spin. I thought my miscarriages were chromosome related now im concerned immunes is going to play a big factor in my journey : ( i've already messed up my first FET - i've taken norethisterone and Buserlin for an extra two weeks than i should have! No wonder I am feeling like such mess xxx

[Conceivingblee in reply to Laurapax]

Oh bless you. Hopefully it's not delayed things too much for you.My journeys been crazy tbh. I've not updated my profile for awhile. Hut basically it turns out I never would of had a pregnancy. My Clinic didn't give me a diagnosis on cycle 1 they should have. There was no room in my womb to ever carry a bay during to adhesions and scar tissue from a D&C od had. So now I'm out in Alicante at that clinics most.

I think low nk is preferable to high.

Also those cells change everymonth when you shed your womb lining.

It's such a tough process don't beat yourself up xx

[Laurapax]

Conceivingblee i've just read your page i am so sorry for your loss. Devastated for you xx

[Laurapax]

hey Conceivingblee oh my gosh im so sorry for everything you have been through. I can’t even imagine. How have you found out now? A second opinion? I had a D&C last Jan and am worried about scarring, I don’t know how you find out about it as it’s never been mentioned during my ultrasound. It’s such a shit situation, I’m sorry!

Thanks I think we can still go ahead, they were like no more Buserlin for you! You must feel terrible, yep I do! I’ve now uncovered that I have high nk cells from blood test and low uterine cells. I don’t know what is better or worse tbh. It’s such a minefield. It does make me wonder what has been the reasons for my miscarriages pre IVF. Who knows.

I hope you are recovering as best you can. Thinking of you xx