immunology testing

[Darcy1996]

Hi, hope everyone’s keeping well. I’ve been seeing a great acupuncturist who has a fertility specialism/interest, and she suggested that as I have anaphylactic reactions to food triggers, asthma, eczema, hay fever - all the fun allergies! - that I might need to be prescribed steroids, or might like to get some immunology tests.

We are trying naturally - have been for 2 years - whilst I wait to hear if I’ll be made redundant so can’t afford ivf currently & would like to know I’ve thrown everything at a natural attempt.

Has anyone tried this? Good/bad/useful? Tested as part of IVF tests or naturally? Anyone happy to share testing centre recommendations if close to London?

All the best

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Darcy. Perhaps you need something to quieten things, such as steroids to hopefully help rejection of embryos. Immunology testing could be worth trying too. I do wish you well. Thinking of you. Diane

[Darcy1996 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks Diane, I’m speaking to my GP today and hoping they’re understanding and can help re steroids or refer me on, as the infertility dept at the local NHS hospital has said there’s nothing more they can do for us.

[Hidden]

If money is a factor you might want to consider the Tommy’s charity/Warwick uni implantation clinic in Coventry as I believe you can have NHS referral or at least the self funding is minimal vs high costs of immunology testing and treatment (which can be more than an IVF round). They will test NK cells in womb lining and suggest steroid if needed

[Darcy1996 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you also for this. I have been able to self-refer myself to Warwick for a consultation today, and have a call in 3 weeks. Really grateful 👍🏻

[Hidden in reply to Darcy1996]

Amazing! I’m so glad you’ve got it booked in. Just to give you an idea I had my first call with him 6 weeks ago. Had my biopsy in my September cycle. And I had my results call yesterday. As I suspected: My uterine NK cells are high/skewed ratio between the “good” and the “bad” types for implantation. Rest of the results normal. I’ve been advised pred 20mg from before transfer and higher dose progesterone. At least I now have confirmation. It also makes sense to me because my only ever positive (CP) in all these years and 5 ETs has been my last transfer when we did just try and throw in pred 20mg from before transfer. I’m hopeful with this officially on board and an euploid embryo things will work out.

Really hope you get useful info too xx

[Darcy1996 in reply to Hidden]

I’m so glad it’s given you something in the way of answers, and a plan - fingers crossed you see quick positive results 🤞🏻💜

[Hidden]

I hear you on the multiple allergies/atopy thing! It would be interesting for someone to do research on how many people with these conceive struggle to conceive vs General population

Best of luck with your next steps x

[Darcy1996 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much! It boggles my brain that you need to (usually) suffer multiple losses or be at the stage of failed IVF rounds before NK cells might be investigated. I’m 42 and only getting as far as suspected natural failed implantations but I want to know I’ve investigated everything I can. Thanks so much for your replies, I’ve got a call with my GP today to ask

[Citizenerased83]

Good luck Darcy1996! And I hope you escape redundancy too. You don't need that stress on top of everything else. Xx

[Darcy1996 in reply to Citizenerased83]

Thank you, I just want to know either way job wise, as all of the yoga & acupuncture in the world can’t negate that fear, and I certainly don’t feel comfortable starting a new role and not having enhanced maternity care, or asking for time for appointments but thinking positively, hopefully it won’t come to that.

Thank you for your kind message, I appreciate it x

[Citizenerased83]

That's so understandable. It is tough starting a new job when going through fertility treatment- I did it three times. 2 put of 3 managers were great when I told them about time off for IVF appts. Hope it all works out for you xx