shehata or quenby for nk cell testing?

[flossyboo]

Hi all

going to ask my cons for a referral for nk testing - have a history of recurrent mc and its the only test left but am a bit confused... i know that shehata does nk testing private and nhs but dont know much about siobhan quenby - does anypne know what she provides? i know she was doing a trial but has now moved to birmingham but thats about all - any advice ladies???

thanks a million

[mumatron]

i havent heard about quenby moving to birmingham, but when she was at liverpool she was only doing the nk cell testing as part of a trial. they werent taking any self funded patients. the trial is a double blind trial so you dont get to know if you get the steroids or the placebo.

i was offered to go on the trial but as my vcons hasnt done all possible tests on me i am not currently eligible.

speak to your consultant see what they say.

all the best

[Dozer]

Hi flossyboo,

Dr (now Professor) Quenby is now at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital and the NKC trial has moved there. Think that they are the only place in the UK doing the uterine biopsy test for the cells (understand that Mr Shehata and a number of other doctors do more general blood tests, which are yet more controversial).

When the clinical trial was in Liverpool there was no option to pay for the biopsy test, so only women who met the criteria for the clinical trial were able to have it. The criteria are published somewhere, think there is a link from the Miscarriage Association site, and include a maximum age and that no other reason must have been found for the recurrent m/c.

I understand from other ladies on another website, though, that once the test is done one can opt NOT to be in the clinical trial and, if the test indicated it, be prescribed the treatment by one's GP, who would refer to info from Dr Quenby.

Not sure what the arrangements will be in Birmingham, is probably worth ringing them up to find out.

Your GP can refer you directly and in parallel to Dr Quenby, no need to get a referral from a consultant.

[Dozer]

Sorry, I should say that I was referred to Liverpool by my GP after my fourth miscarriage a few months ago. It took them AGES to respond and a secretary told me on the phone that I wasn't eligible for the trial, I asked for an explanation in writing about why this was the case, instead I received a letter explaining that Prof Quenby would, in fact, see me, but at Birmingham instead and would have to start the whole referral process again.

In the meantime I became pregnant and am crossing my fingers that this time it'll be OK: if not I will pursue the referral.

I have decided, having read everything I can and consulting my current doctors, not to pursue any other, more general NKC blood testing.

[flossyboo]

thanks ladies - my cons is happy to refer etc -she has emailed siobhna quenby for info and will also refer to london if nec .....

dozer -dont suppose you could direct me to the other site could you??

thanks
x

[sue10]

Hi there,
you could also look into having the nk cells and other immune tests done at CARE fertility Nottingham with Mr Ndukwe or Mr Gorgy at Fertility Academy in London. Let me know if you need phone numbers, i'd google them and then get info packs to gain greater understanding of recurrent mc's and immune issues. I have seen Mr Shehata but his testing aswell as Quenby do not do in-depth testing of all immune issues such as th1 and th2, dq alpha matches etc... Just wanting to share the info i have gained from many ladies who are seeking advice/help with recurrent mc's. i only wished someone had informed me of the other options earlier on in my ttc journey.
sueXXX

[Dozer]

Hiya, try Baby and Bump miscarriage section, incl. the recurrent m/c thread.

Information from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority about the immunological testing (e.g. at CARE) is here: www.hfea.gov.uk/fertility-treatment-options-reproductive-immunology.html

[twinterror]

I had twins on my 4th icsi cycle with mr ndukwe in nottingham care - immunological testing etc etc

so glad I did it

[Italiangreyhound]

Sue10 I know this is an old thread but a gogle search about this subject in relation to IVF has brought up this thread and as a regular mumsnetter on another thread I wanted to ask about it, please.

Can you tell me what immune issues such as th1, th2, dq and alpha matches are, please?

Just hoping you still look into it once in while but maybe not!

Thanks so much.

[BagofHolly]

Hey Italian! Sorry to crash this thread but thought I'd say that this link is quite useful in explaining it all, and it's also in the Alan Beer book, "Is my body baby friendly?"

www.ivfauthority.com/2010/01/dq-alpha-matching-in-ivf-controversy.html

Hope you're well, missus!