Immune Testing with Dr. B

Have any of you girls done the immune testing with Dr. B?

If so, would you mind sharing your results and what treatment you decided to do?

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

My results only showed an elevated level of Natural Killer cells. He would like me to have Intralipids before I have my ET. (The intralipids are supposed to "neutralize" the NK cells so they do not attack the embryo)

You get a lot of information, it seems so overwhelming, but Dr. B. is great he will explain everything to make it easier to understand.

Good luck.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

i did immune testing with dr. b as well.
mine came back elevated NK cells and that DH and I are HLA-C partial matches. last cycle i did intralipids the day after trigger to calm the immune system to treat the issues.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Dr. B told me that I also have high NK cells and he suggested for me to do the intralipids. He said that the other cells that are tested all came back normal and a recent study that was done with an elevated NK cells and normal other cells the chance of miscarrying goes down.

We got PG on our own this cycle and Dr. B suggested we do some sort of treatment whether it be just the prednisone or the prednisone with the intralipids. I just don't know what to do.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

I think Dr. B knows a lot about this. I would definitely take his advice seriously, but only you can make the decision.

From what I've read, small doses of prednisone and intralipid infusions are not harmful to the developing fetus. It's worth looking into.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

I started prednisone and intralipids the cycle before we conceived. Once I got pregnant, he doubled the prednisone and I did the intralipids a little more frequently. Im over 18 weeks and I just stopped the prednisone 2 weeks ago. The treatment was for elevated NK cells.

I have to give you my honest advice; I would never take prednisone again. When we try for #2, Im going to have a serious talk with Dr B and see just how necessary and how big a role the prednisone plays in surpressing the immune system. I think the intralipds are the main component. My NK cells stood elevated my whole first tri and he never increased the prednisone; only the frequency of the intralipids which makes me think the prednisone is just a back up.

I can only speak for myself but if I were you, Id do the intralipids. There are no side effects and its really no big deal. You just sit there for an hour and a half then you are done.

ETA: I just wanted to add that the prednisone does not penetrate the placenta so if you have to take it, nothing will happen to the baby. I just refuse to ever take it again for personal reasons.

Message edited 7/29/2010 9:56:35 AM.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Was the intralipid treatment covered by any of your insurance companies?

Dr. B told me that he would want me to do 3-4 rounds and each round would be $400 if not covered by insurance.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

i also wanted to add that dr. b originally wanted me to do prednisone AND intralipids. but when it came time in my cycle to actually do the meds, he changed his mind and said that i would only need the intralipids, which i was thrilled about cause i was realllly nervous about prednisone and side effects.

for me intralipids was covered 100%. i used trinity healthcare (judy can set it up for you) and i have united healthcare. i didnt think it would be covered so when i heard it was i was thrilled. trinity said it would cost $450 total including meds, the nurse, and administration, if my insurance didnt cover it.

Message edited 7/29/2010 10:39:19 AM.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Posted by FlowerWife

Posted by nraboni


So it was covered under United Healthcare at 100%? Was the $450 for one round or all rounds?

yes mine was 100% covered under UHC. I have a good plan though. i had UHC with my prior employer and the plan sucked so i doubt it would have been covered then. the $450 was for one infusion.

the woman on the phone from trinity (who was awesome btw) told me that aetna and UHC are generally the ones that cover it and most other plans dont or it depends on the exact plan.

also i really liked trinity. they literally got the call from dr. b's office on a friday at 11am and the nurse was at my house administering the intralipids at 11am the next day. they did tell me that they wouldnt know if it was covered until after the treatment, so i had to sign papers saying i would pay if it wasnt covered. thankfully it was.

good luck

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

I'm also using trinity for my IVIg infusions.

I never submitted the claim for my intralipids so I don't know if it was covered.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

At fiorst me insurance told me they didnt cover it. You have to specifically tell the person on the phone its covered under home infusion and home health care...

also my ins didint cover it with a fertlity code but they did with an auttoimmune code...

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

I did it as well. I had a slight natural killer and also MTHR issue. I did the intralipids once before and once after getting pregnant. I also was on megadoses of prednisone before and after the BFP because I was clotting. I also took Lovenox twice a day because of the clots. It all sucked but it worked! Not only did I get pregnant, but I had a beautiful DD who is perfectly healthy!

I plan on doing the same protocol if I decide to have another though I am seriously going to try and avoid the prednisone. It really sucks.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Message edited 7/29/2010 9:14:59 PM.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Yeah, I have Oxford Freedom plan (owned by UHC) and they covered it too. I used Advanced Care. Dr. B's office set it up.

Actually, I'm having more issues off the prednisone than actually being on it. It cleared up my adult acne, kept my adult allergies under control and helped my um....(TMI) flared up hemorrhoid situation. Now its all coming back. Though I'm also very beotchy...but that is probably from another failed cycle than anything (I think?).

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

My treatment is two fold since I have a diagnosed autoimmune issue.

I have high TNF and Cytokines. Stupid high...highest he has ever seen. Lucky me.

I'm on Humira and I did Intralipids, was on prednisone and Lovenox. Lovenox for clotting disorder but I haven't been diagnosed for that, it just goes along with what am I am diagnosed with.

I will be on Humira, IVIg and Lovenox. Add Prednisone if I get pregnant.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Message edited 7/31/2010 10:21:24 AM.

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Thank you everyone for your responses!

DH and I have decided to move forward with the Intralipid treatments but not do the prednisone. Dr. B said that I really didn't need to do the prednisone so I would rather not.

We had our first sono today and he said everything looked great. We saw the heartbeat too !

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

For years i was trying to get pregnant and no one could tell why it was not happening. My awesome cousin told me about Dr.B and I figured what the hell I might as well try it what harm could it do. I did the immune testing with Dr.B and was told that I have NK cells and blood clotting issues. He put me on lovenex, prednisone, omgea 3, baby asprin and progesterone and it worked!!! For the first time I was able to carry for 8 weeks. I lost the baby but that was only b/c the baby was unhealthy. Dr. B is a miracle worker. I know that he will be able to make my dreams come true of having children. Good Luck

Re: Immune Testing with Dr. B

Message edited 7/1/2016 9:30:44 AM.