Immunology - prednsione, tacrolimus, intralpids.. what else? :)

[Anita85]

Hey ladies!

I am currently preparing for my next transfer, which will happen in January. I have some immune issues, such as Hashimoto`s, overactive NK cells in the endometrium sample and KIR AB. For the transfer I am taking prednisone and tacrolimus, plus intralipids. Should I be checking this area more? I have heard of other ladies taking other meds as well, e.g. subcutaneous injections in order to suppress the immune system, for it not to reject the embryo... what meds did you take for the immunology part? Thank you! Baby dust to us all!

[river242]

Hi. I have similar issues and have had 6 transfers, 4 with donor eggs. I had everything you've mentioned and also IVIG, clexane, granoctye and PRP in the womb lining. The PRP seemed to really help me as I had that on my final transfer in July where I got a BFP. Unfortunately I had a missed miscarriage at 12 weeks but no idea if that was related or not. I have 2 embryos left but am currently having a long break as all those rounds (8 including those with nothing to transfer) and the meds have really taken their toll physically and mentally. If we do transfer the last two I'll be having the same meds again as I really think that helped. Happy to answer any questions if I can help.

[Anita85 in reply to river242]

Thank you so much, your answer and for sharing. It is a hard, unfair road we are taking... What were your immunological problems? Problematic kir/h-lac?

[river242 in reply to Anita85]

I have hashimotos so high thyroid antibodies. I have too low NK cells (who knew that was an issue) and now been diagnosed with addisons so quite extreme. I don't think there is much hope left for me but I hope the treatments work for you x

[Yellowlove in reply to river242]

I am 14 weeks pregnant, after my third transfer with DE. I didn’t have any immune issues when the IVF clinic did tests, including NK calls (all normal) - BUT I have recently had a thyroid antibodies test come back around 86. It was also on the high side around a year ago. My GP wrote to the endocrinologist at my hospital who said they didn’t need to see me and to just carry on as normal! When the GP called last week she mentioned Hashimotos and Addisons. My TSH is well under control and I take 75mcg Levothyroxine every day. I guess I am posting this here to let you know that my transfer worked despite having high Thyroid antibodies. It does worry me moving forward though and I’ll be raising with consultant.

[river242 in reply to Yellowlove]

Thanks. Hoping the rest of your pregnancy goes well. My antibodies were over 1000- I've tried various things to reduce them but so far nothing has worked. I'm probably going to try the remaining embryos once I've had a bit of a break so thats reassuring.

[Yellowlove in reply to river242]

I see. How have you been told to manage them?

[Anita85 in reply to Yellowlove]

Hello! Thank you so much for sharing! I am currently on low dose Levothyroxine, as my TSH has been under 2 for a long time and also my endocrinologist told me that if the ATPO (thyroid antibodies) are under 400, it is not too bad. But my clinic put me on 25 mg every other day, just to see the evolution, as TSH was rising... I am going tomorrow for a blood test. But yes, during pregnancy I agree that you should take extra care. From what I know the highest dose would be 150 mg... What exactly is Addisons? Is it also autoimmune?

[Yellowlove in reply to Anita85]

Thank you, yes I believe it is and will ask more about it. It’s all a minefield! Indeed they want to keep TSH below 2 or 2.5 really when you are transferring and pregnant. My clinic asked me to get mine checked every 6 weeks when we were going through IVF as it was fluctuating.

[Anita85 in reply to river242]

Hope is always there I guess. And also keeps us afloat until we reach our goal What exactly is Addisons? Just as Yellowlove was writing below, you still have good grounds to hope and expect your miracle 🤗

[river242 in reply to Anita85]

Addisons is where the adrenals don't make the hormones they should eg cortisol. I'm on a gluten free, sugar free diet and i5 does seem to help a bit but not enough. I'm on 150 of levo and I take prednisolone all the time now.

I do still have some home but the clinic will only do one more round as they say its becoming unethical to put me through it when they don't think it'll work. This is my second clinic. We so try naturally too of course but my amh is 0.2 and I haven't ovulated since my miscarriage so that also seems unlikely. We're balancing hope with finding other joy in life and its ok.

I do think I'm an extreme case though and I hope you both have more success. ❤️

[Anita85 in reply to river242]

How high are your antibodies?

[FierceGrace85]

Hello, I have been on Prednisolone and Intralipids this cycle and I’m currently 7 weeks pregnant! It’s obviously early days yet, but this is further than I’ve ever got before, so the Intralipids and Prednisolone seem to be working! I’m also on cyclogest pessaries twice a day and heparin injections in addition to baby aspirin. I’m on the heparin injections due to antiphospholipid syndrome (sticky blood) but I think blood thinning injections are quite standard in any protocol for autoimmune issues so it’s definitely worth asking your consultant about this if it hasn’t already been suggested for you. Lots of love and baby dust! Really hope it works for you. Feel free to ask any questions about the meds xxx

[Anita85 in reply to FierceGrace85]

Thank you so much for your answer, it is so reassuring! I ve had heparine as well, I forgot to mention it in my post. What were the immunological problems that you struggled?

[FierceGrace85 in reply to Anita85]

Aww you’re welcome, I’m so glad I found this forum myself because I’ve found useful information on here. So, my immune stuff is a mix of the Antiphospholipid Syndrome which is an autoimmune condition affecting the blood and Natural Killer Cells which showed up on both the blood test and the uterine biopsy. I also had a positive ANA (Antinuclear antibody) blood test which indicates autoimmune stuff. It’s possible that I have something like Lupus but it hasn’t been diagnosed yet if I do xx

[Anita85 in reply to FierceGrace85]

You have come a long and difficult way I am so glad you succeeded, fingers crossed everything goes smoothly from now on!

[FierceGrace85 in reply to Anita85]

Thank you so much, I will be keeping everything crossed for you too x