Recurring miscarriage- killer cells?

[orlandobbb]

I have just had my 5th miscarriage in 18 months, this time we got to 11 weeks which was as far as we ever got.
I have 2 children from a previous relationship and the midwife mentioned that the miscarriages could be a result of killer cells and my body attacking the embryo.
Has anyone experienced this before or know anything/anyone that can help with this

I’m sorry for your loss 💐 I’m going through a chemical pregnancy at the moment - 3rd loss in a row and it’s like mental torment. I was looking on old threads and I saw that people mentioned having a look at the book Is Your Body Baby Friendly by Alan Beer. There’s a chapter about NK cells which might be helpful? I’m going to have a look at it. I don’t know anything else about killer cells sorry, but I hope that helps

I have heard of “killer cells” basically your body is good at fighting infection, cancer cells etc but it’s a bit too good - it may try to fight off the embryo as well. I’m afraid I don’t know any more than that.

Yes I have heard of this and my friend finally had a successful preg after 4mc using Intralipids info about Intralipids

I'm not sure if you're still reading this post but I was tested and then treated for NK cells after suffering 6 losses in nearly 4 years. I started treatment and we carried to term on our first attempt. DD is 2 in December. When she was 10 months old we discovered we were expecting again, started the same treatment and carried to term again (DD2 is now 13 weeks). I'm happy to answer any questions anyone may have.

@Eh1112 - thank you so much for your reply- how did you get referred for treatment and what was the treatment?

I had recurrent miscarriage tests on the NHS that all came back clear, I had empirical immunology with steroids, clexane and prontogest and had a baby in Jan. I did pay £1k for NK cells testing which opened up the option of intralipids but as there's no real evidence to support it I never bothered with the intralipids. Do look into PGS as that is evidence based and much more likely genetic abnormalities in the embryo is what's causing the loss rather than your body itself

I am just wondering if your new partner has had a karyotype test?
It is often the last test they do as it is expensive and often all the focus is on the mum. Have you seen a consultant? You mention that the midwife suggested NK cells.

Another possibility is that your husband has a balanced translocation, where some of his genetic information is mixed on 2 chromosomes. He will have all the correct information so there is no effect on him, however, when the cells split during pregnancy if the wrong sections of the mixed chromosomes join with yours there is information duplicated and missing so the baby can't develop. (put simply the odds are 1:4 but the reality is far more complex)

I have a balanced translocation and have had 9 pregnancies and 2 healthy babies.

Have you seen a consultant? In many areas once you have had 3 miscarriages you can be referred.

I am so sorry for your losses.So tough.

I self referred to the London Fertility Academy under the care of Dr Gorgy. I was prescribed Clexane (I tried Fragmin but it didn't work for me), Aspirin, Progesterone (Cyclogest), Prednisolone, Intralipids and LIT. With my second daughter and second pregnancy on the treatment I decided to drop the LIT. In hindsight I think it was the steroids (Prednisolone), Progesterone, Aspirin and Clexane which made all the difference for me. I've had a lot of people tell they think NK cells are a load of rubbish but all I know is that the treatment (Prednisolone, Clexane, Progesterone, Aspirin) worked for me twice in a row after so many early losses. I just can't believe it is a coincidence.

Hi everyone I’m just curious for those who suspect they have NK cells, did you have any immune responses after transfers? I’ve read flu like symptoms are indicative of Nk cells. I’m very nervous as I had a sore throat and congestion on 1-2dp6dt. Any advice is appreciated!

@HopefulinTO I had no immunes response on any of my 5 IVF cycles, I had NK tests as it's common with endo and my levels came back elevated

@Lauren83 thanks, I have stage 1 endo too so I’m thinking of getting tested if the fet doesn’t work. Did you get a biopsy to test for your nk?

@HopefulinTO I had recurrent MC tests at gynae unit on NHS all clear, then I asked for empirical clexane, gestone and steroids at the private IVF clinic for cycle 4 and they agreed, that cycle was my first BFP but then I had a MMC so I then paid over 1k for NK profile testing (bloods) came back elevated so was adding intralipids for cycle 5 but then I had a gap for 2 years before trying again and realised intralipids weren't evidence based so I never bothered and just stuck with the meds I had before and got a BFP and had a baby in Jan. I wish I hadn't wasted the 1k on the tests as all they changed were opening up the possibility of the intralipids, if you can get some meds empirically anyway I wouldn't bother with the NK but that's my personal view

@Lauren83 thanks so much for the info. I took steroids for 4 days leading up to transfer and am currently on progesterone and baby aspirin but I will ask about the other medications. And congrats on your little one!

Whereabouts do you live?

@spottingthezebras I’m in Canada.

@HopefulinTO Thankyou! I asked for the PIO as always bled before test day on pessaries, the baby aspirin should be doing a similar job to the clexane/fragmin I had. Huge good luck for test day

Thank you! 🙏