Natural Killer Cells

[MrsJD]

Hi girls,

Just going through my 5th MC as I type. The hospital ran a whole load of tests back in November and the results came up with NADA! However, I've since change gyn/hospital and there are two things which I've not been tested for, NKC and Progesterone!

Does anyone know what NKC are. anyone had them and anyone ever been treated for them?

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[CurlySue]

NKC are like antibody cells. It seems like it is when the body perceives the fetus as a threat and attacks it as if it were an infection. Apparently the theory that it has anything to do with miscarriage is still in its infancy. A lot of the words that come up when doing research on NKC is "doubtful premise" and "wild theory" indicating that it's simply a theory that a scientist or doctor has had and that correlational studies are very much low end.

Progesterone deficiency, on the other hand, is very common.

 

[MrsJD]

NKC are like antibody cells. It seems like it is when the body perceives the fetus as a threat and attacks it as if it were an infection. Apparently the theory that it has anything to do with miscarriage is still in its infancy. A lot of the words that come up when doing research on NKC is "doubtful premise" and "wild theory" indicating that it's simply a theory that a scientist or doctor has had and that correlational studies are very much low end.

Progesterone deficiency, on the other hand, is very common.

Thanks CurlySue,

I did google but couldn't make head nor tale of the science bit, but then again I'm shattered and fed up, so was probably not taking it in.

Well I don't like the sound of them, doesn't seem to be much hope for people who have these if it's not proven (if you know what I mean).

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[CurlySue]

That would be the very last resort, MrsJD. To be honest, from what I read there is hardly any evidence at all to suggest that it is a viable option. I think it's just a load of doctors putting 2 and 2 together and getting 6 billion hoping to get a breakthrough, which a lot of the time is what medicine is.

Progesterone is easy to test. It's an obvious one. We had a family friend whose recurrent miscarriages were due to genetic abnormalities in the fetuses she miscarried. That was years ago. Nowadays there are ways to test whether there are genetic abnormalities so if that IS the case then at a cost you can do treatment with genetic screening.

Natural Killer Cells, though? The name alone makes it sound like a shitty horror movie. They do exist. Granted, they do. But, it does seem more 'whacky theory' than proven disorder.

 

[MrsJD]

That would be the very last resort, MrsJD. To be honest, from what I read there is hardly any evidence at all to suggest that it is a viable option. I think it's just a load of doctors putting 2 and 2 together and getting 6 billion hoping to get a breakthrough, which a lot of the time is what medicine is.

Progesterone is easy to test. It's an obvious one. We had a family friend whose recurrent miscarriages were due to genetic abnormalities in the fetuses she miscarried. That was years ago. Nowadays there are ways to test whether there are genetic abnormalities so if that IS the case then at a cost you can do treatment with genetic screening.

Natural Killer Cells, though? The name alone makes it sound like a shitty horror movie. They do exist. Granted, they do. But, it does seem more 'whacky theory' than proven disorder.

It does sound awful, hoping it's not that. As for the progesterone, surely my old gyn (at a new one now) should have checked for this. His PA pulled my records and they haven't! This sounds awful but I'm kind of hoping it's something like progesterone as from what I've read it can be easily treated!

That's even if I decide to try again!

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[CurlySue]

Probably should have, but if he or she didn't then that could be where the problem lies. It's different checking progesterone when trying to conceive, but some people have too little progesterone when actually pregnant which is why the womb lining thins out and the embryo/fetus dies. They don't tend to check for that unless miscarriages have been persistent.

 

[Lyns]

Applegirl has done testing for NKC, and she was found to have borderline high levels. She has had several losses, and was recently involved in trial for a new steroid treatment in pregnancy for women with NKC, and see if it prevents loss.

I'm sure you'd pick up some good info having a read through her journal (in TTC) or even pm'ing her.

 

[CurlySue]

Apparently one 'theory' in relation to NKC is that the cells attack the egg because of what it perceives to be a chromosomal deficiency. Other theories say the opposite. They cannot determine whether it's cause or effect. One thing is for sure, too much reading up kind of does a person's nut in. Just be careful about jumping to something like this when the problem could be something simple. You'll only end up going insane with worry when you might not even need to. We all want answers but sometimes too much 'reading up' can drive us crazy. It's a vicious cycle. Seriously, ever since I started TTC I have diagnosed myself with just about everything there is. The internet can be a bad place at times.

Hopefully your new Gyno will be able to come up with some answers.

 

[MrsJD]

Apparently one 'theory' in relation to NKC is that the cells attack the egg because of what it perceives to be a chromosomal deficiency. Other theories say the opposite. They cannot determine whether it's cause or effect. One thing is for sure, too much reading up kind of does a person's nut in. Just be careful about jumping to something like this when the problem could be something simple. You'll only end up going insane with worry when you might not even need to. We all want answers but sometimes too much 'reading up' can drive us crazy. It's a vicious cycle. Seriously, ever since I started TTC I have diagnosed myself with just about everything there is. The internet can be a bad place at times.

Hopefully your new Gyno will be able to come up with some answers.

I agree chic. When I had MC number 3 I googled the lot you name it I had it

I thought I had sorted the route of the problem 3 months ago with my thryoid. I had it removed in 2006 but a large lump has grown in my neck (just to the right of a guys adams apple) anyway, it's old thyroid tissue that was producing the hormone aswell as my meds. Therefore, this resulted in it being toxic! But my levels were checked recently so this is back to normal! Could very well be that I've just had a bad luck pregnancy that time.

I'll wait to see what he says, he's fantastic and runs a clinic in Glasgow

https://www.gcrm.co.uk/

I see him through the NHS though!

Good luck with your treatment Mrs and thanks

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[MrsJD]

Applegirl has done testing for NKC, and she was found to have borderline high levels. She has had several losses, and was recently involved in trial for a new steroid treatment in pregnancy for women with NKC, and see if it prevents loss.

I'm sure you'd pick up some good info having a read through her journal (in TTC) or even pm'ing her.

Thanks chic, I knew she was getting test but didn't realise what for. I'll send her a wee message.

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