IVF raised ANA / NK cells

[Nso83]

Hi there,
So we’re on the long IVF protocol. Today is day 11 of buserelin. Supposed to be in for down reg scan on 14th but they’ve moved it to 19th as not had a bleed yet (sorry-tmi!)
Back in May, by which time i’d had 4 very early miscarriages, private fertility clinic suggested i had some recurrent miscarriage blood screening. Came back saying slightly positive ana (anti-nuclear something). This can be an autoimmune thing that can cause cells in womb to reject embryo. They said at the time i could take baby aspirin but it might not even be a problem & get tested again in 2-3 months time. My second test has just come back positive & the clinic have told me 2 things- take aspirin now on & someone different said take it from embryo transfer. I’ve told them to tell me which!
They’ve said i could normally prescribe prednisone (steroid) but they’re not doing that cos of covid.
I’ve read up on it (probably shouldn’t have) & it looks like raised ana can really impact ivf success. I feel like pushing for the steroids to give myself the best chance, as i’m double-jabbed & being careful where i go anyway. Also as this is secondary infertility we’re paying privately & can’t afford numerous cycles!
Does anyone know anything about this?
TIA

I have positive ana antibodies and overactive nk cells - I had 4 miscarriages before this was diagnosed and am on a full immune protocol for my ivf now - prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, intralipids, clexane, aspirin, lubion and cyclogest.

I'm confused which was the second test you had that came back positive? Did you do the nk cells biopsy? Or blood tests? My protocol was agreed before I started my ivf treatment as I had to order my meds. It might be better to pause treatment if you want to add in steroids this cycle.

I think it depends who you're under whether they'll prescribe steroids. I'm under a private reproductive immunologist who is managing my treatment plan, although my clinic (Create) are using lower doses of steroids, other ivf clinics either don't believe in immune / nk cell issues or using covid as a reason not to prescribe.

Thank you so much for your reply and I'm really sorry to read about your losses.
That's interesting about your treatment. I really hope it works out for you. What stage are you at?

Do you know how positive you are for ANA? Apparently I'm 'weakly positive' and my blood test results both times were speckled. I'm trying to find out what that means. I feel like the Dr just isn't fussed about if.

Sorry - I meant I'd had two blood tests so far.

I have been prescribed cyclogest and i've also been given extra progesterone injections because of the early losses and the fact that i bled a lot in the first month or two whilst pregnant with my daughter.

I think a positive ana result could indicate an autoimmune condition (but doesn't identify what) but that alone doesn't indicate an issue with nk cells. I had bloods that looked at my levels and activation of nk cells as well as the ana tests.

I'm due a transfer next week, my fresh cycle ended in another loss, but unrelated to my immune treatment - I bled early after transfer and then tested positive so they're adding in more progesterone for me too.

Good luck

Hi I’m not sure if ana is related to lad testing on here?

www.fertility-academy.co.uk/immune-testing/

This is the clinic I’ve had success ( 🤞 third trimester)with immunes with after 3 mmc and a chemical.
My nk cells were high and the lad test showed I was not producing antibodies to protect my pregnancies.
I don’t know what baby aspirin has to do with immunes that’s just blood thinning I believe?
For immunes I took 25mg pred ( I’m not even double jabbed due to all these meds was told not to) intralipid, ivig,
On top for blood thinning/ placenta health - clexane 40mg, 75mg baby aspirin
I took 6 cyclogest daily plus lubion for first 12 weeks and came of cyclogest at nearly 16 weeks. Now only on clexane
I think you need to see an immune specialist. Ones I know are that link above, dr Shehata or argc

Good to hear you're in your 3rd trimester @Love2Luv I'm under Dr Shehata. Best wishes.

Thanks @VenusStarr I hope you’re successful. I went with Gorgy and he does a few other things too , not sure if you’d want to explore things like LAD/LIT and a few other tests that Shehata doesn’t seem to do ? Although, Shehata doesn’t like to share treatment.

Hi @VenusStarr I know this is an old thread, I was thinking of switching to create fertility. I have a small amount of positive ANA with 2 failed IVF cycles. Does Create do immune testing and do they have private reproductive immunologist? X

@Carry17 sorry, I didn't get the notification.

Create don't do immune testing but have supported my protocol. I'm under Dr Shehata at the crp clinic. My last round was a complete fail, our frozen embryo didn't thaw well. And as I did a low dose stim cycle, we ended up collecting eggs but only got a morula this time. Double transfer failed. I'm undecided whether to stay with Create, I do like the clinic approach with mild ivf but with my complex recurrent miscarriage history, they are scratching their heads.

@VenusStarr sorry to hear that your transfer failed. I will check out Dr Shehata for immune testing. If I understand this correct one can have just the immune tested at CRP? X