Recurrent Miscarriage Investigations - Progesterone and NK cells

[HighHopes83]

Hi All, nice to meet you!
I have very sadly been referred for recurrent miscarriage by my GP and I am currently waiting to undertake the first batch of blood tests at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. As I am sure a lot of you are aware of, it’s a long and very distressing process that will take two months just to have the first responses and then further tests and investigations might be needed either to confirm a diagnosis or to investigate further if nothing is found.
During other more generic blood tests the doctor order me and were performed within the surgery they have found my vitamin D level is a bit low. To make a long story short I have come to this forum searching on line any information on a correlation between mc and vitamin D deficiency and I found out there are other tests available that are not normally offered within the NHS recurrent miscarriage investigation such as research of NK cells in the uterus, intrauterine investigations … I have also see someone mentioning progesterone supplementation to support implantation and the first trimester of pregnancy. Now, I don’t know whether this could be my case but at the Leicester Royal Infirmary they told me they don’t investigate in it because there is not enough prove that progesterone supplement will help you carry on your pregnancy (whereas it appear that some other hospital will consider this www.cmft.nhs.uk/media/1425169/recurrent%20miscarriage%20service%20november%202016.pdf ), nor they will look into NK or any autoimmune syndrome other than the standard testing for Antiphospholipid Antibodies. However I have read one user mention this in this forum here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/miscarriage/2628310-Recommended-recurrent-miscarriage-clinics . None of the doctors I have spoken with seemed to have any consideration for this aspect and I am a bit nervous because I would like it to be investigated as well in order to rule out all possible scenarios.
I have read, in the same topic, that the Implantation Clinic in Coventry does test for uterine NK cells. Does anyone her have an experience of rmc investigations with them? Do you know whether they would look into the NK only or progesterone deficiency and other tests are taken into account?
I am based in the Midlands but I am willing to travel as long as I can find someone thorough that will look into all possible causes and will offer assistance in case of a future pregnancy will be a possibility.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, whilst I hope to find some help and advice I wish none of you had ever experienced such a heart-breaking time, or at least had a positive and happy ending to this nightmare .

xxx

Hi HighHopes83,
Just scrolled back searching for recurrent miscarriage posts and found your post.
In the past year I have had 1 loss at 6.5 weeks, 3 losses at 5 weeks and 1 loss at 9 weeks.
Two weeks ago I saw a specialist who took lots of blood to test for all manner of clotting disorders including antiphospolid syndrome. So far everything has come back normal.
I'm also now planning on going to the clinic in Warwick that will test for nk cells.
Did you get any answers back from the tests you had?

I'm so sorry for your losses. I know how tough it is not having any answers. I don't have any friends that have had more than two miscarriages in a row and so this board helps me not feel quite so alone in all of this. X

Hello

Just wanted to let you know that I am based in the Midlands too and currently under the rmc at Coventry. They test for a lot of things but I believe you have to pay for the nk cell test...i could be wrong though.

They prescribed progesterone for me xx

Hi Munchies13,

Yes, i've been quoted £540 for a range of tests including the nk cells test and the consultations. I figured that this is one more thing I am prepared to look into/get tested for. After that I will try and just accept that there are sometimes no answers! I now have to wait until I ovulate and then contact them...provided I haven't conceived again this month.
Hope the progesterone works for you! Have you been prescribed cream? And was it because they detected a deficiency. I haven't been tested for low progesterone levels but was on suppositories for my last pregnancy- just in case.
All the best to you, xx

Hi
No they didn't test my progesterone levels but due to having a short luteal phase they prescribed the progesterone pessaries.
I was hoping they would test for it as I'm aware there are different doses to be put on but they said it wasn't required.

Good Luck, I hope you have a successful pregnancy soon xx

Sorry, I know this is a bit of a late response to this thread but I saw it and wanted to say that I went to the Coventry NK cells clinic (as well as having all the standard NHS tests at my local hospital) and would recommend it. I didn't have elevated NK cell levels, but found their care excellent. They did put me on progesterone from 7dpo - I have no idea if it helped, but I'm now 28 weeks pregnant. I remember being really apprehensive and looking desperately for information about what expect before my testing, so do let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to answer them from my experience. I'm so sorry you're going through this, recurrent miscarriage is so awful.