immune testing- is it worth it?

[BECIO]

hi everyone looking to start our third round, I have low AMH but no other reason why after 4 years no pregnancy and two failed rounds. Our clinic recommended immune testing, it’s really expensive and wanted to know how will it actually help and when you get the results does it change protocol? Any advice would be helpful. It’s so expensive as well as it is and having a baby is worth it but want to check if people have positive feedback as would rather spend the money now and not on another round. Thanks so much in advance xxx

[Boo718]

hiya, I don’t know anything about immune testing that was going to be our next step. But have you done era emma and Alice tests? Xxx

[BECIO in reply to Boo718]

hey no haven’t don’t either of them get so confused with all the tests! How did they go for you? Thanks xxx

[Boo718 in reply to BECIO]

I did the 3 tests it’s cheaper than the immune testing. It looks for bacteria in the womb, infection and optimal transfer timing.

They said we didn’t need the era(transfer timing) part of it as we had had implantation previously with a chemical. But I was adamant that we would just do all 3 … may aswell if you’re already in there. It was a biopsy. The results came back good bacteria, no infection but that I needed an extra day of medication so transfer should be on day 6 instead of 5.

This was the only change we made for transfer number 5 and I am currently 35 weeks xxx

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

For more information about tests etc take a look at hfea.gov.uk - Treatment Add ons

Take care

Janet

[DG2022]

after 3 miscarriages and one ectopic. I absolutely would say yes it’s worth it. It did cost a lot and will cost a lot for treatment but I have answers now and it all makes sense as to why we had early miscarriages.

[Tnthketnf]

In a nutshell there's is not enough evidence to support it. It isn't standard treatment and many clinics that use it they suggest it as a last resort, if a few cycles haven't worked then they try immune testing. NHS doesn't offer it, the hfea classes it as red in their traffic light system of add ons. Loads of people in here had success though after having had immune testing and adjusted protocols so they swear that's what helped them.

In my case, the private clinic abroad I used doesn't recommend it. Like you, no pregnancy after 5+ years of trying and several failed rounds.

I used another lab also abroad to do the Chicago blood tests and the microbiome testing and they all came back clear. So no action to take. Lots of money, about €1,000 for their basic testing.

I wouldn't say say I feel better having it done because there are so many tests and I don't know if what I had done was enough. I don't think I will have more though. In the end it's a decision about money, for me at least.

You have to balance how much you trust your clinic, how much you can afford to pay and how long you can keep going doing treatment cycles without any changes.

[BECIO in reply to Tnthketnf]

thanks so much for your message and taking the time to reply I really appreciate it Xx

[minnesota_girl]

Personally I think more detailed tests become more important the longer you have either unexplained infertility and/or recurring loss.

While they aren't standard protocol in the UK this is mainly due to lack of large-scale studies to give the type of evidence that the HFEA requires to make something mainstream in fertility treatment. But I've always believed that cutting edge is where the progress is made and today's cutting edge may be tomorrow's standard protocol.

I don't know what has finally made the difference for me, whether it's my immuno treatment or another factor but for me having taken the tests and been given the recommendation to proceed with intralipid and steroid and clexane due to my test results from my private overseas clinic was enough for me to try it. And I'm thankfully and gratefully 18 weeks pregnant.

Just like anything, I don't think everyone needs it, but for us doing the tests was helpful. But I agree they are expensive and oftentimes are something to look to if you have the funds and if you are not having success without them.

💕💕✨✨

[BECIO in reply to minnesota_girl]

thanks so much for your message and taking the time to reply I really appreciate it. Good luck with

The rest of your pregnancy, I think it makes sense for me to try if the next round fails and I don’t I will always have wondered. Xx

[Millbanks]

Hey lovely, I had 5 failed transfers before finally having the immune testing. My bloods came back with high NK cells and so was given steroids and intralipids for the 6th transfer. It worked and my little boy is now just over a year.

I am hoping to do another transfer later this year and will use the same protocol as I'm absolutely certain this was key for us.

xx