Elevated Cytokines

[HelzBelzUK]

Hi everyone,

i’ve just had my NK cell blood results. NK cells are fine but my cytokines are really high (46%)

Recommended treatment is either LIT therapy and/or intralipids. Has anyone received either treatments and has a successful outcome? as in an actual live birth??

My lining is really thin.. I have to thicken it with stims for a FET. Could this be the culprit?

My clinic is closed for Christmas so any advice is appreciated xx

[Skittles11]

Hello

I can't tell you I had a successful outcome from using LIT or intalipids but I did also have high cytokines and I tried this combined approach (I am wondering if you have consulted the same clinic as me for this). I tried LIT a couple of times and my cytokines actually got worse. I have a bit more time for intralipids or IVIG but all of these treatments are expensive and at this stage kind of experimental. For me I would not go for LIT again but would have more inclination to explore intralipids or IVIG.

Sorry this probably isn't helpful as I know you asked to hear from folk who had been successful using LIT and intralipids. Good luck with whatever you decide x

[HelzBelzUK in reply to Skittles11]

Thank you so much that’s really helpful.

My clinic is in Athens. The blood was taken by a Greek company called Fertilysis and that was the recommendation of who ever reported the results. However after speaking to people from the clinic facebook group they’ve said the consultant isn’t keen on LIT.

He has suggested intralipids for a few patients so i’ll see what he says when we have our follow up in the new year.

Thank you for your help

Merry christmas xx

[Whatwillbewillbe_]

I originally had cytokines around this level at the beginning of this year and now they are around 35.

I am on hydroxychloroquine which I think has helped and I have been minimising my gluten intake this year too.

Also had intralipids with each transfer (3 this year).

No success with transfers yet but that could be an embryo issue.

[HelzBelzUK in reply to Whatwillbewillbe_]

Thank you so much x

How soon before your transfer did you have the intralipids? We’ve done pgta this cycle to rule out an embryo issue and we have one that’s borderline euploid so want to cover all bases before we transfer x

I heard about reducing gluten and also taking tumeric supplements x

[Whatwillbewillbe_ in reply to HelzBelzUK]

The first two transfers we did it a week before and the last transfer we did it on the day of transfer.

Hydorxychloroquine I started 6 weeks before transfer.

[Whatwillbewillbe_ in reply to Whatwillbewillbe_]

I was also on steroids, Clexane and aspirin which also are meant to act as immunosuppressants also.

[HelzBelzUK in reply to Whatwillbewillbe_]

I’ve had clexane for all my transfers with my new clinic (3 in total) the last two were with prednisolone. I’ve also done 2 months of prostap as I have endo. The consultant said he will consider aspirin from a positive test as I had a silent MC in July.

Thank you xx i’ll ask about the hydroxy at my follow up xx

[Lelllow]

hi There!

I had the exact issue - borderline ok NK cells and cytokines same high. I tried initially Intralipids before the cycle and it didn’t make any difference. The clinic suggested some strong medication like humira but I refused given some very serious potential side effects.

In the end we decided to go with the combo of IVIG and steroids. Had IVIG about 10 days before the transfer, then another few after the positive test. The clinic wanted to continue until 20 weeks but it was too expensive. Streoids until 12 weeks.

I am currently 22 weeks pregnant but have to say the cytokines never lowered to the range, although they did lower significantly whilst I was doing IVIG + steroids but were still somewhat high

[HelzBelzUK in reply to Lelllow]

thank you so much and congratulations on your pregnancy xx

I was reading that the IVIG can be helpful x I’ll have a chat to the consultant after the christmas break and maybe chat to an RI and see how we can proceed before we have transfer xx

[Anisha29]

Hello. I have elevated nk cells and cytokines and we used Tacrolimus (auto immune suppressants) to get them down. Test results show it's down to an acceptable levels now.

[Whatwillbewillbe_ in reply to Anisha29]

Do you mind sharing which clinic suggested/prescribed the tacrolimus? How long did you have to take it for?

[HelzBelzUK in reply to Anisha29]

Did you not have to get your bloods checked regularly? If you take tacrolimus then you need regular tacrolimus levels. My clinic is in Athens and I live in the u.k. x There’s no way my GP would check my blood every few days

[Mercury363 in reply to HelzBelzUK]

My second transfer of bfp i took tacrilimus for 13 weeks but no blood testing done? Did your go or clinic recommend this? My clinic was in alicante. Always so surprised at the different protocols each clinic has for us all.Ivig on first transfer bfp but cp at 6 weeks.

Bfp on second transfer with intralipids, tacrolimus, prp treatment in month of transfer, aspirin, prednisone, clexane and hydroxychloroquine. He's asleep next door.

Same protocol 3rd transfer, bfp but cp earlier than first one.

Good luck!

[HelzBelzUK in reply to Mercury363]

No.. i’m a nurse and if you take tacrolimus you need levels checking because you can develop toxicity which can lead to kidney damage.

I already take pred, clexane and will be on aspirin from a positive test due to a miscarriage in the summer.

Our follow up is in 2 weeks so will ask the consultant about IVIGs. Thank you and congratulations xx

[Mercury363 in reply to HelzBelzUK]

Fingers crossed for you! Good luck!

[Anisha29]

I've sent a DM to you both with the consultant name and clinic. Merry Christmas

[Thierry101]

hey, before my fourth fet (3 fails previously) I had an intralipid + I am now 5 weeks pregnant 🤞🏼 there’s been a few things changed from previous cycles to this but that is one so I’m all for them! X

[HelzBelzUK in reply to Thierry101]

Congratulations on your pregnancy xx

Do you mind sharing how many you had and how many days before/after transfer? My clinic is in Athens so i’m trying to work out how long i’d need to be there for xx Thank you

[Thierry101 in reply to HelzBelzUK]

Thank you 🥰🤞🏼

I had mine done 9 days before the transfer. Not had one since, every 2/ 3 days they are checking my hcg levels to make sure they are increasing at the right rate (so far all good) and if it slows down I’ll have another one.

X