Reproductive immunologist??? Autoimmune?

[cartaw]

Anyone out there seen a reproductive immunologist to help get a diagnosis for "unexplained infertility?"

Anyone looked into or been tested or treated for autoimmune deficiencies as an actual diagnosis for "unexplained infertility?" (UGH, I hate that phrase.)

I have psoriasis--a known autoimmune. And stage 1 endometriosis (a suspected autoimmune--although I think it's pathetic how little is known about such a common problem among women). I just heard about autoimmune diseases causing infertility by attacking sperms, zygotes, and fetuses.

Please help by letting me know your experiences. Did you find pursuing this route helpful? How did you do it? I've heard it's almost as costly as infertility treatment itself? Any information/tips you have are greatly appreciated. There is very little good information out there on this.

 

[trying hard]

Very interested in what you turn up.

 

[melfy77]

Hello,

I am not a LTTC myself, but I say this thread and thought it was a very interesting question. There's little info on the net, but here's something i found. A few months ago I was able to find a study that clearly showed a an association with endometriosis and immune disorders, like APS syndrome. But I can't find it

https://www.storknet.com/cubbies/infertility/exgs4.htm

https://www.drdaiter.com/endo3.html

APS syndrome is known to cause both early and lates pregnancy losses, and women are usually treated with baby aspirin and sometimes with heparin as well. But immune disorders could also cause implantation failure, and it is also know that early stages of endometriosis causes more ''inflammation'' and ''immune'' issues than the later stages. So maybe it would be a good thing to talk with a specialist and see if you could get some tests done.

Hope this helps a little

 

[petitpas]

Hi, hope you don't mind me posting in here with my current status

I suffered from recurrent miscarriages and was ultimately diagnosed with aggressive natural killer cells. This can also be a cause of unexplained infertility. I think the theory is that with some women the killer cells attack really early so any embryos arriving the womb never get a chance to implant properly.

I was put on steroids as a treatment. The same treatment is used in many fertility clinics alongside IVF. It is supposedly especially useful for women who were previously unsuccessful with IVF treatment.

I say supposedly and in theory because all of this has not been proven yet with any large enough studies. There is one study ongoing at the moment here in the UK but it is for recurrent miscarriers and the steroids are only given from bfp.
My doctor, on the other hand, prescribes steroids from ovulation which is better for cases such as yours.
I also have endo, btw.

So getting to the cost, I think this depends on where you are and who you see.

I'm in the UK and my doctor also works on the NHS so with a waiting period it is possible to see him for free.
I went privately and had some blood tests to check for natural killer cells. Some doctors prefer a womb biopsy as it is supposed to be more accurate to detect uterus-specific natural killer cells.
In any case, we spent nowhere near what a private cycle of IVF would cost. The diagnosis with blood tests etc were around £1,000 maybe?
I also had my thyroid function checked. Is that something your doctors have looked at yet? I'm not sure of the exact numbers but in terms of fertility your thyroid levels need to be on the better side of the normal range. There are some autoimmune thyroid issues that can cause infertility (Hashimoto's is, I believe one of them, but I'm no expert).

I can highly recommend a book called 'is your body baby friendly' by Dr Beer. It's not the most scientific book but it basically covers the whole natural killer cells theory related to recurrent pregnancy loss and/or unexplained infertility.

If you are in the States, there are a number of reproductive immunologists who follow Dr Beer's practices.

The treatment itself for me was a daily steroid pill from ovulation until af or through first tri. Very cheap!

For some cases (and quite often in the US, I believe) doctors also prescribe intralipids. They are a lot more expensive and are administered via an intravenous drip every four weeks or so. It seems to work, though!

Ok, so I hope I could give you more info there. If I went overboard, please excuse me as I'm really tired this evening...