New here and have some questions

[BC-tnahope]

I read somewhere on a very old thread that some ladies dx with High FSH/POF can actually be an immune issue. What is the immune issue or how does that tie together?

Also My DH has anti-sperm antibodies. They never actually tested to see if it was my antibodies or his they just assume it is him. What would be the immune issue that goes with this if the antibodies are mine?

This is all so new to me. Ive read and read and read on all my IF issues. I just had my 1st loss and the baby's was chromosomal studies came back perfect. So now I'm trying to do my homework and see what else it could have been. I did have low progesterone so it could have been that. When you pay so much for tx you have to cover all your bases. Thanks in advance, this is all new to me. Ive tried to read a lot of this but it is so confusing

[poohbear]

Welcome BC,
So sorry for your loss. I have never heard of POF and high FSH being immune related but that doesn't mean it isn't. Dr. Alan Beer's book and his website have a wealth of knowledge. I know that anti-thyroid anti-bodies can cause issues as well as anti-nuculear anti-bodies. Hopefully one of the other ladies might know or maybe on one of the older threads. Many of us here now are dealing with clotting antibodies and elevated natural killer cells which an inhibit implantation and are doing the treatment recommended. Low progesterone could definitely be attributable. It can be very confusing and there are so many shades of grey in this area. The immune testing can be very expensive but with the right treatment many women conceive.

[BC-tnahope]

Thanks poohbear. Ive noticed that some of you on this board have had may losses and my heart just aches for you I just want to try to get some answers before spending anymore money on tx. I have a order to get some b/w now from my Ob, we are just waiting to see if Ins. will cover it. Here are the ones he is starting with.

ANA
Anticardiolipin Antibodies
Lupus Anticoagulant
Protein C and S
Leiden Factor 5
Homocysteine
Prolactin ( not sure this one is immune related?)
PAI 1 Genotype
Prothrombin Gene mutation
MTHFR 644, 1298

Is this a good start? Does this list include the clotting and NK cells?

Oh and he was leaning towards the progesterone issue but Ive been told I'm crazy to believe that. That proges. is an indicator of a failed PG not a cause

[BC-Tabithalyn]

BC tnahope...
that is a somewhat typical list a doc may use to try and investigate whether there are potential clotting or other auto-immune disorder type things underlying an unexplained IF.

If you were to insist, perhaps, that despite any results you would certainly be agreeable to taking some immuno-suppressant meds and blood thinners such as heparin and prednisone then maybe this would be a way to get through the testing and straight to the "let's try it and see" route.

Many times women don't test positive for some of these tests unless they are in a prg. state but can quickly flare up with auto-immune stuff once they conceive (ie., have IVF's done) considering you have had some loss with IVF you really should be in a position just to demand outright that yoru doc give you some meds that make the chances more optimal.

best of luck and hugs to you in the battle of IF..
Ally

[BC-tnahope]

Thanks. Im still waiting to see if the tests will be covered. Ins. is a pain in the butt!!!

[poohbear]

BC,
The nk cell isn't in there in that list. If you are doing all the testing, you might as well do the nk test too but it isn't cheap. The nk cells need to be done at either Millenova labs or go to repromedix.com. There is information on the lab websites. There are two specific tests that are done for the nk cells if I remember correctly. My testing wasn't covered unfortunately but sometimes they can get it through depending on the code. Good luck!

[BC-tnahope]

Thanks poohbear. Ill look into it.