Reproductive immunology specialist

[farfromperfect82]

Hi there, I am in the UK and am looking for an expert in immune issues associated with unexplained infertility and pregnancy loss. I am looking for some initial tests and hopefully a diagnosis, and would like to speak to an expert/specialist if anyone has any recommendations or advice from their personal experience?

Thanks!

Hiya. Whereabouts are you? Dr Shehata in Surrey is where many people go. I'm at ARGC in London which is an IVF clinic and also does it. They will treat even if you're not doing IVF but they are very intense and Hence the costs go up. Other London clinics that do immunes are the Lister and Zita West. Afraid I don't know outside London. Good luck x

Hi thanks for this advice. I am in Kent so Surrey is definitely doable.
Can I ask, is the testing something called a womb scratch? Or is it just a blood test? Thanks again x

Hi @farfromperfect82 I'm under Dr Shehata and have just had my results appointment and I have aggressive NK cells so now on a treatment plan from preconception.
It's a quick process, they take a lot of blood and carry out various tests but the most important one for me was when they put your blood into a pregnancy state and then see how it responds and devise a treatment plan based on that.

I have previously had the endometrial biopsy but they found no reasons. The testing with Dr Shehata is a lot more expensive but he's done a full investigation and can treat me, so I feel its worth it.

There's a thread on the miscarriage board and there's a lot of us who have had recurrent losses and looking into immune factors, if you wanted to come over. Best wishes x

Thank you so much @VenusStarr. I will join the thread, I think it will be helpful.

Can I ask how much you paid for the diagnosis and treatment?

I am wondering if there is hope I could conceive naturally via Dr Shehata's treatment rather than go through IVF and for it not to work.

Hi @farfrompertect82 if you check out the CRP website there's a breakdown of all the tests he does, we decided against the sperm dna fragmentation for now as I was convinced it's my immunes (and I was right!) Depending what tests you need it's between £2000-£3000 for the initial consultation and first follow up where I got my results. He then prescribes a plan, I'm on hydroxychloroquine and intralipids but some are on predisolone steroids.

We're ttc on our own for now but will look at his superovulation plan in the new year, which is essentially a medicated cycle using letrozole and a trigger injection, so he might recommend that. Cost wise, it's variable depending on what he finds.

I'll see you over on the other thread! :)

Good luck @farfromperfect82 it sounds as though @VenusStarr has far more answers than I do. I've only done superficial treatment for immunes so not an expert.

I'm at ARGC if you ever want to know about that.

I have had a scratch btw but I thought that was to make the embryos stick.

I would say tho, don't automatically dismiss IVF. I remember myself being so desperate not to have to do it - it seemed so big and ugly and intrusive. It is a lot but it's not that bad and for me, no worse than monthly infertility or miscarriage. I'm not recommending it especially if you can conceive naturally - but just saying it's not as scary as it may seem.

Good luck

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