Third failed transfer - looking for successtories and tips

[yellow_cake]

Hi all!

I apologize in advance for my long post.

Started IVF around 1 year ago after 2 years of trying on our own (not a single plus), the first round resulted in 1 fresh embryo transfer and 1 frozen embryo transfer with a blastocyst, both with negative results and bleeding long before the actual testday.

We did our second IVF in summer that resulted in 6 frozen blastocysts, which made me really happy. After a long pause due to thyroid-issues, we didn't do the first transfer from this batch of blastocysts until a month ago. Unfortunately that ended in a negative testresult as well (but I didn't get my period until a week after the testresult, so at least I got a chance to do a pregnancytest)

The problem seems to be that nothing sticks. From the clinics in the country where we are located, we only get the "unexplained infertility"-diagnosis, nothing seems wrong according to them, but at the same time there are no possibilities there to do PGTA, investigations on the uterus microbiome environment or immunological factors, etc. They are not even informing us on the thickness of the lining, what grades the blastocysts have or my progesteronlevels, and they don't want to change anything for my next transfer, which I find very frustrating to be honest...

I have been in contact with a private doctor where I made some tests. The levels of NK-cells came out 18% and he was concerned since my TSH-levels have varied very much from 0.01 to 4.7. (Tests haven't showed positive on the TPO though) So I am now taking thyroid-medicine and he has also recommended me intralipids before the next transfer as well as a much more regular TSH-checkups. I am very grateful for this doctor that I'm going to on the side of the regular IVF-clinic.

I am looking forward to try something new, like trying intralipid because I don't want to "waste" my 5 remaining blastocysts if the issue seems to be something else than the quality of the embryos and I want to do everything in my power to make sure that the embryos are getting the optimal environment once transferred. Do you have any other tips that I can investigate on my own?

And is there anyone out there who can relate or would just mind share some positive successtories after several failed transfers or just give me some positive words? I am trying to keep a positive mindset but sometimes (like now) my mind just spins a lot and I am getting really worried and stressed inside.

[Wuhu85]

Oh I am very sorry for your losses. I had two not succesful transfers and I am changing clinics. Transfering not tested embryos are just very costly and a big psychical load to deal with. So I am changing clinics with the regular approach. I also did immunological testing and I highly recommend to do it with a specialist. I had also uterine NK cells which came back a bit lower but within the tolerance and the clinics wanted to prescribe me steroids so blind treatment is not always worth it. Also you can check for the KIR AA with HLA-C genotypes. I had most of results normal so really the problem is most probably not tested embryos and not good quality ones or bad performed transfer.

[HelzBelzUK]

I get your frustrations. I felt the same with my NHS clinic so we moved abroad. Would you consider moving your embryos abroad and doing a new transfer protocol with different clinic?

Have you had a thrombophyllia screen? Vaginal microbiome swab?

A hysteroscopy could be helpful although you’d probably have to pay private and they’re around £2k.

Dr V at Fertilysis is amazing. They’re based in Athens but we’ve used them lots for investigations (our clinic is also in Athens). Wishing you lots of luck xx

[PinkPanther1234]

I'm sorry you have not had success yet. I remember feeling exactly the same and done the similar investigations. It sounds as though regularly checking your thyroid is a great idea. Intralipids sounds good too and maybe ask about steroids as an idea. I also had bleeding before test day on multiple occasions, so I insisted on progesterone testing and was on a lot of progesterone. I would probably suggest ERA too. There are mixed opinions on it, but based on my personal experience it was well worth it. Best of luck, you will get there in the end x