Nk killer cells test, anyone had this?

[BroodyBecks]

Morning all,

I have now had 3-4 MC's and my specialist feels it could be down to NK killer cells.

Has anyone had the smear test for this? if so where?

There is a specialist in liverpool doing trials but I live in Essex so wondered if there is anywhere nearer!

But believe me I will drive to Liverpool if I have too!!!!

xxx

 

[MinnieMone]

Hi there,

I have very high levels of NK cells and am being treated by Dr Shehata in Harley St. I know he also works out of Epsom hospital and has another private practice in Wimbledon. I don't know if you can be referred to him on the NHS or not.

It is actually a blood test (not a smear test), very straightforward. You get the results back in about 14 days.

Happy to give you more info on treatment etc, if you want to pm me.

 

[BroodyBecks]

Hi Minnie,

Thats for that, its a huge help

I heard that the bloods dont show all and a smear is needed too?

Do you mind me asking how much it cost for the test?

xxx

 

[MinnieMone]

Happy to help!

I've never heard of a smear test for this, the test was part of a comprehensive list of testing I had done, including all thrombophilia (think this is for sticky blood), thryoid, and the NK is part of the autoimmune testing. We also had chromosome genetic tests. You can find more info if you google miscarriage clinic or Dr Shehata.

We luckily got everything paid through BUPA as it was after my 3rd mc, from memory the whole cost came to around £1,600 with consultations etc (so you might cost less if you just have one test done and fewer consultations. We had to pay for my boyfriends chromosomal testing ourselves (as he wasn't covered) and that was £300.

It might be that you can have the NK test done alone, if you have had all the other tests and you might be able to be referred on the NHS to the Epsom hospital, I'm sure if you contact his surgery they will be able to help further. A consultation is £250 I think.

I also had some private tests done through St Mary's after the 2nd mc (can you tell I'm desperate!), although these were more expensive, and took a lot longer to get results, I also got the impression they are more dubious about the NK testing.

Good luck.

 

[BroodyBecks]

Hi Minnie,

I have had every test done including chromosomal (both me and my hubby), im shattered now!!

This NK cells business is new to me! The only reason I am aware now is because my specialist wants to refer me to have the womb biopsy if I continue to have MC’s……………I can't understand why all this is happening! It is bloody awful!!

Obviously there are women on here that have had it worse, its bloody awful for everyone!!

Thanks so much for your advice, please keep in touch, it will be nice to see how we get on

xxx

 

[MinnieMone]

I would definitely have the NK cells done before any kind of biopsy. He asked to see results of every test I had completed already, so I'm sure he would be happy to just undertake the NK test for you. It is unfortunately all too common, a colleague of mine also has it (she actually told me about Dr Shehata), if you google him you will find all sorts of success stories. Sally Meen was on This Morning the other day talking about it also.

I am so glad I now know why I keep losing, if I hadn't had this test everything else would have been normal (I know it is tiring isn't it!)

The first thing I asked Dr S when he gave me my results (I have v. high levels), was would I ever have carried to term if I hadn't found this out and not started treatment and he said 'no I doubt it'.... It is a simple tablet a day 25mg from onset of ovulation to either a BFN or BFP if I get a BFP i will need to increase the dosage to 40mg and have 2 IV transfusions as well. If all goes well at 12 weeks you come off everything.

I have already had one very early mc since being on them, but I'm putting that down to bad luck (ok I'm probably kidding myself, but it's the only way I can keep going!). The steriods aren't pleasant (weight gain), and do have side effects (think PMT x 5m!!!) but it will be all worth it in the end.

Yes it is all so awful and unfair and i'm so sorry for your losses sweetie and what you're going through now. Just finding out what's wrong though has helped me so much get through the last year (4 losses since last October) and if nothing else I'll know that I did everything I could to find out why i was losing my babies (almost like i owe it to them to find out), I really hope you can find someone to do the test and you get the answers you're looking for.

x

 

[BroodyBecks]

Do the meds cost a lot of money or do they come on the NHS?

Sorry for all the questions! Xxx

 

[MinnieMone]

I paid privately (£200), but my gp has agreed to prescribe them for me once the 4 cycles i got run out... but that was after a lot of grovelling and tears, as because of my age the NHS won't touch me with anything baby related.

Thank god for private health insurance!

 

[BroodyBecks]

How old are you hon if you don't mind me asking? Xxx