Need clarrification, please! (pg/child mentioned)

[jax]

I needed to get some opinions on some blood work. First a little history. I've had 5 m/c's. You can look at my fertility path in 2 different lights. At first, I couldn't get pg to save my life. I used to be very active-running/swimming and therefore, had very irregular cycles. I hardly ever ovlated. Eventually we underwent ivf, I conceived the first time, had twins at first, lost one (blighted ovum), but gave birth to ds. After my ds I stopped vigorous activity, I got pg 2 times the next year naturally, but m/c'd both due to blighted ova. I was ovulating pretty normally. I had my RE do a recurrent m/c panel and he said everything came back normal. I underwent 2 FETs after that, the 1st failed, the 2nd resulted in a chemical. I should mention that we transferred at least 2 blasts with each transfer. After the FET chemical, we took a break. I'm doing acupuncture right now, taking herbs, eating better than I ever have in my life, my cycles are completely regular, and I just had another chemical this past month. It was a quick one. Nonetheless, extremely frustrating. I had my OB check the basics. Thyroid is fine, fasting glucose is fine, FSH/LH ratio is virtually 1:1. I should mention that I self-medicated and decided that a baby aspirin may not be a bad idea. So, I had my RE send me my recurrent m/c panel so I could take a look at exactly what it showed. There were a couple of things that were high lighted b/c the findings were out of the norm. First, though, overall karyotype was found to be normal.

Here are the things that I have some concerns about:

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor (PAI-1) was out of range. Mine was <2.0 (low). I'm assuming it didn't even make the chart b/c that's how it was referenced. The reference range was 2.0-40.7.
Antithrombin III Activity was 122% (slightly elevated). The reference range was 80-120.

T3 Reverse was 0.16 (low). The reference range 0.19-0.46. I should mention though that the lab noted that it used an unapproved kit for this test so it shouldn't be used for a diagnosis w/o other medically established means.

Something odd, too, was that my bilirubin total was elevated at 1.5. Normal range 0.2-1.3.

Everything was found to be negative or w/in normal range. Everything else clotting wise was fine, gene analysis was fine, everything normal.

Could any of these things (especially the first 2) be the culprit for the m/c's? That being said, I was able to have 1 child, so am I barking up the wrong tree? Could these things have been wrong and me still be able to carry a pregnancy? Otherwise, we can chalk this up to really bad eggs.

I would appreciate any insight you ladies might have. Thank you so much

[Tabithalyn]

Jax,
without giving unqualified med. opinion on the testings you are talking about I'll just relate in a general way.
After experiencing a first initial prg. that m/c at 12 wks I found I was having "chemical" type and early loss prgs. If there is nothing structurally wrong, if you are ov'ing regularly, hormone levels ok, etc. and you continue to experience unexplained and repeat m/c the most LIKELY cause will be undetected auto-immune issues.
MANY, many women experience immune issues after one successful life birth. The ratio of secondary IF with immune issues is almost in a higher bracket than initial IF due to immune issues I think. So you are NOT barking up a wrong tree.
If any of your testings like the "antithrombin" time one, relates even remotely to clotting issues then it may be likely that you do have a clotting antibody issue. Not always will clotting antibodies be detected with testing. Some women only develop the clotting antibodies when they are prg. and not during a non-prg. state.

the main thing you could do right now is get to an RE who will prescribe and work with potential immune issues using your HISTORY of loss as well as potentially running some more sensitive and knowledgeable tests than whatever loss panel of testing your RE is doing. That would be the step that I'd suggest would give you the baby goal result.
The truth about immune issues is that they are tricky to detect, sometimes don't show the exact route of meds to take even when detected and yet, for many girls it is a simple get on some meds process and they have success with the meds. -if it isn't your "hardware" then it must be the "software" and immune issues are definitely a tricky software package to deal with but probably the smartest thing you are investigating with your history.

I too have a success story after using immuen meds with my now 4 yr old DS but am also experiencing secondary IF and blighted ovum and early loss even WITH the immune meds again. so there is often more than one type of challenge to overcome in immune meds and treatment but at least you are doing yourself the best favour by gettin to the investigation of it all.
take care and may a strong BFP be in your near future!
Ally

[jax]

Ally,
Thank you so much for your response. Why can't it just be easy?? I'm so sorry you're experiencing losses, too. It's so frustrating and disappointing. Thanks again for your insight. I really appreciate it

Amy

[Tabithalyn]

I know, I know... why can't it just be easy!!!

It just makes me want to try harder and get to the bottom of it in some ways and in other ways I know my family is put under the pressure (the existing DS well he doesn't see the pressure I don't think).. and it's a strain for me at my employment as sometimes I need a day a month off to go to treatment, etc.

but let's keep the faith!! take care and write back with any more Q.s to see if we can help here.
Ally

[jax]

Originally Posted by BC-Tabithalyn

It just makes me want to try harder and get to the bottom of it

Yes, Yes, Yes!! I feel the same way!!! I want to find out what the heck is going on with my crazy body. I believe I'm going to go ahead and schedule an appt with Dr Stricker. He was recommended to me by someone on another board. I guess he took over for Dr. Beer and is supposed to be very good in treating immune issues. You'll have to forgive me. This part of infertility I'm not familiar with at all. I don't know how far we'll go down this road, but I think I need some more b/w to see if we can get some answers. I'm sure I'll be back with lots of questions.

Take care,
Amy