Immune Issues

Does anyone wonder if their IF may be due to immune issues? Also, I found out that my blood type is O- which apparently makes me a universal donor but if I ever need blood it has to be a very specific type. This combined with my hypothyroidism is making me wonder if something is going on with that. DH woke up this morning and the first thing he said to me was that he thinks that these issues might be causing our IF. Any insight anyone has is appreciated:)

Re: Immune Issues

never thought of that.Im also o-.

Re: Immune Issues

hmmm...and you had unexplained also, right? i am going to ask the dr. monday when i go for my water sono.

Re: Immune Issues

yes Kathy.....ohh I would like to know what your dr. says.
Keep me informed

Message edited 11/11/2005 8:54:01 AM.

Re: Immune Issues

Well, IN ADDITION to my IF issues (I had blocked tubes that were removed), I have some immune issues. Most RE's do not test for these things, unless you INSIST.

After so many cycles, and no implantation (well, except for the time outside my uterus), I told my RE I wanted this done. It is VERY expensive, and most insurances do not cover this kind of testing. I found out that Quest will test for the Thrombophilia Panel, so I had that done. I came up homozygous for the MTHFR gene, which means I have 2 mutated genes (hereditary), but my homeocystine levels were not elevated at that time so I'm not really at risk (blood clots). I also had elevated anticardiolipin levels, which my RE was concerned about (also blood clot risks).

So, I went to a specialist (hematologist), and she tested me further. Nothing else came up, thank G-d. SHe put me on daily doses of baby aspirin, folgard (extra folic acid, B6, B12), and starting from my transfer I need to do daily shots of heparin (blood thinner).

It didn't help implantation last time, but hopefully it will do the trick this time.

Anyway, maybe you should speak to your RE about being tested...

Sorry for rambling!

Re: Immune Issues

thanks Lisa...this is very interseting and now it worries me

Re: Immune Issues

I don't think being type O is a problem....Being a "negative" blood type just means that after your first miscarriage or delivery you have have the Rh shot to prevent problems with your future pregnancy.

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I am going to do a RPL panel. My re wants me to. My insurance covers the rpl Currently I take baby asprin every day...and when I was pg,....I was cutting back and I regret that. I too have thyroid issues , which are auto immune. Started this cycle with extra folic acid.

The RPL panel consists of ...antithyroid antibodies, homocysteine, anticardio lipin anitibodies, ptt, antithrombin III, prothrombin gene analysis protein S C activity , factor v leyden, lupus anticoagulant, karotype

Message edited 11/11/2005 9:43:04 AM.

Re: Immune Issues

does me being Rh negative have anything to do with it??

Re: Immune Issues

I am hypothyroid and I also have some immune issues which are classified as "unexplained" ...high white blood counts, lupus type results on tests yet never a clear answer. We decided to seek further testing if I had another M/C. Right now my dr's think that its more or less just Fibromyalgia (sp?), which I was diagnosed with when I was 20 but the drs never did much for me for it, except muscle relaxers when the pain in my joints is bad and I do research that and follow some guidelines for treatment but Theres not much that can be done for it, except steriods and I handle them badly.

I would ask for more testing, it could not hurt.

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Thanks everyone. I'm definitley going to bring this up at the RE on Monday.

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So I asked the nurse about this and she is going to send the doc a note to see if they should do something called "Tennessee" something or other tests. She said I am completely justified in asking for this and that we'll see what the doc says. I would have to have the test no later than next Tuesday to get results in time for my stims.

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I've never heard of that...maybe it was the NK assay?

Anyway, I'm glad you brought it up! Insist that you want it done! You pay for it anyway!!

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So they called today and said the Dr. thinks I should go forward with the testing. I'm going to try to get in tomorrow morning before I leave for one last business trip before I start stims.

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I'm an O- as well and even though I didn't test (I was on our honeymoon in England) I would swear I had a chemical pregnancy this past July.

I'll be bringing all of this up with my RE on Saturday.