Chicago fertility tests

[Sunshine92]

Does anyone know how or where to go about organising Chicago fertility tests?

I’m 7 years deep into unexaplained infertility. I have 1 son from a fresh transfer and have had 3 other failed transfers. 7 years of trying naturally and never once been pregnant. Every test ive had (NHS, private and implantation failure clinic with professor Brosens) have all been perfect. I have regular ovulatory cycles and my partners sperm is normal.

The only other thing I havent explored is sperm antibodies or genetic causes for not conceiving. My acupuncturist suggested Chicago blood testing but I can’t find how to obtain it.

Thank you xx

[16Losses]

hello, I had Chicago blood tests and biospys, but had to travel to London for them. Happy to share the name of the clinic if you’d like me to by message.

[Sunshine92 in reply to 16Losses]

Yes please, id really appreciate it. Thank you so much x

[Gofly84]

Hello. I got my ‘Chicago’ tests through my NHS Consultant who also operates privately. If you’re in/around the Coventry message me privately and I’ll provide more info on the consultant. A lot of tests go to Chicago so really depends what you need. The consultant will best be able to advise what tests you need and follow up advice on the results. For reference we got the Level 1 tests which measures immunology factors generally. We realised immunology tests that go to Chicago can be measuring different things so only your consultant can advise what you need. They took about 11 vials of blood. But it was not as scary as I thought it would be the test results took about 3 to 4 weeks to come back probably a bit longer. I’m not sure. it did identify a couple of points which could indicate why I’ve had repeated implantation failure and protocols that we need to use (clexane, aspirin, prednisone etc) in the FET. It picked up auti immune factors so I’ve been referred to speak to an immunologist - for general future health. Our prof Brosens results came back normal third time around so that should not be a factor anymore for us either. Now the only thing we’ve not done is looking at embryo quality which we may explore in future but by gods grace we are successful in our next FET and don’t need to. Hope that helps x

[Sunshine92 in reply to Gofly84]

Im in Birmingham, so yes please if you could share details that would be great! Fingers crossed for you. Sounds promising x

[soccerkt6]

Hi lovely,

I know you said your partner's sperm is normal but has he had a DNA fragmentation test or just the standard semen analysis? It's possible for men to have normal semen analyses but still have high sperm DNA fragmentation (this was the case with my husband), and it's often missed because it's not regularly tested for. If he hasn't yet had this tested, I would strongly suggest having it done before you spend loads on the Chicago bloods. It's easy to do and most IVF clinics offer the test.

Regarding the genetic issues, I would speak to your GP and ask for both you and your partner to have karyotype testing done. It's not offered on the NHS as standard practice but after several failed transfers I spoke to my GP and asked for it to be tested and he agreed. xx