IVF before Immune testing too risky if you're paying

[Raven74]

I would recommend that anyone, particularly those who must pay out-of-pocket for IVF, to have a full immuno-genetic assay (including NK assay) run before investing both financially and emotionally into IVF. It runs about 3k, but that's nothing next to a 15k-20k IVF that's doomed before it begins. Most insurance companies won't cover the tests unless you have 3 documented miscarriages or 3 failed IVFs. I think it's thoroughly irresponsible of the medical community NOT to mention testing until women have suffered as much.

If you spent the 3k on your own and you test negative, you know you have the green light to TTC through standard protocol IVF.

If you test positive, you can adjust your IVF protocol to properly treat these issues with heparin, lovenox, IVIg, LIT, Foltx, etc.

Raven

[LawGirl]

I asked my RE about immunicological testing (after lurking and reading about it here) since we have had four failed IUIs and plan to proceed to IVF next month. He said they haven't done that kind of testing in 15 years, because it is expensive, and if there were any issues, then the treatment would consist of IVF anyway, which is our next step. But it sounds like from your experience that there are certain meds which can help with any issues...

I am so frustrated! This RE is the only one in the area...

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give...

[Raven74]

Hi LawGirl,
Yes, dealing with IF can be so frustrating. Everyone's case is different, so what works for one may not work for another. The best approach is to do as much research as possible on your own case and find out what's causing the issues. I got an immense amount of help from the women on this board, which has helped me find the right treatment for my problems.

I think the problem with the mainstream medical community is that they consider IVF to be the universal infertility "fix". Entering blindly into IVF was a mistake for me. With unresolved immune issues that were not tested until after failed IVF #3 with donor eggs, all three IVFs were doomed. Had I been tested beforehand, I would have known to add rx folic acid like Metanx, an anti-coagulant like lovenox, and possibly IVIg, Humira or Enbrel to suppress an immune reaction.

Through further research, it seems that my immune issue (elevated APA) may be caused by previously undetected bacteria, which I'm now treating with antibiotics through Dr. Attila Toth in NYC. Unfortunately, I may now always have the APA problem (made worse through repeat IVFs), but can now deal with it in any subsequent IVFs.

I hope that they find absolutely nothing wrong on your immuno-genetic and NK panel; that would be ideal, and you can proceed with regular IVF without any doubts. If they do find something (be sure to ask for a print copy of your results, as some REs do not consider borderline readings to be a problem), you can add whatever the "fix" may be to your IVF protocol.

Good Luck!!!
Raven

[Forte13]

thanks for posting this! I am asking my RE about NKC testing after 6 failed IUI and 2 failed IVF (1 ectopic) If he doesn't do it I'll need to find out who does!

[BeccaMichelle]

Sirm does this testing. I found out I have a blood clotting disorder and need heperin to get pg and throughout a pg. I'm glad I found this out before IVF.www.haveababy.com

[sandra8]

I agree wholeheartedly! Not only during IVF, but no one tested me till my GP............while I was 13 wks pg from IVF and have 2 sub chrodial hemorages....it came back positive for a clotting problem. A so called high risk doc disagreed with it saying the antiphospate lipid antibodies we're not high enough and the other immune issue's we're not great enough to cause 2 bleeds........not to go back on aspirin ect.......well my GP told me he would but that he wasn't a high risk doc ect ect, wk 18 lead to another bleed..........so onto aspirin........finally made it to 33 wks and a premi but healthy baby. Caused by pre term labor..............then it didn't progress.......then an emergency c..............all predicted by my GP at 13 wks.............If I had to do it over again I'd find some really good doc's who believe in the importance of this and avoid at least 2 of those bleeds and be monitored better for pre term labor................Finding the right medical help is soooooooooooooooooooooo important. Thank God for boards like this that can help people research so many things..........Good luck to all. Sandy

[lorelei]

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep working on it. I've gotten my clinic to do most of the testing, but still have to fight the NK battle. Fortunately for me, my insurance covers all bloodwork at no cost, even for infertility testing. That way I can save that $$ for IVF, which is going to be a real struggle.

So far I've been negative for everything but MTHFR, and then I only have one copy of the mutation and am heterozygous so apparently that's not a big issue. I was really concerned because my ANA and Lupus Anticoagulant were borderline ten years ago. Those tests are fine now.

[Hoping4#3]

If someone has already had a child (or 2) with no problem, and is now having problems a few years later, is it possible that an immune issue could have developed? I have completely unexplained secondary infertility, and we are doing our first IVF cycle now. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
pamela

[lorelei]

Yes, that happened to my sister. She developed antibodies after her second pregnancy. Heparin helped her to keep from miscarrying after she learned what the issue was.

[Hoping4#3]

I am not miscarrying though...I'm just not getting pregnant. Can immune disorders cause that?