Immunological testing...

I'm seeing a lot of controversy and differing opinions on immunological testing after failed IVFs.

What are your thoughts on this?

I know there are women on here who swear by it and of course that is very convincing... but at the same time there are lots of things online that are trying to discredit the whole theory. It's hard to know what to believe.

Does anyone have any opinions on this? Does anyone know the OOP costs on this?

Do you think this could be what my RE referred to as "repetitive IVF failure" testing?

THANKS. I feel like I keep asking the same questions over and over and I do apologize, I am just very confused and torn about where I should go from here.

(And just wanted to add that of course I am and have sought advice from medical professionals as well - my RE and another RE).

Re: Immunological testing...

I had immune, blood clotting, and genetic testing after 2 m/c's while going through IF treatments. Insurance covered all testing in my case so there was no harm in doing it IMO. If you have any health insurance at all, you might be able to get this covered as a general medical expense.

Re: Immunological testing...

Re: Immunological testing...

i agree that it is a very controversial topic. i can only speak to my own case. I have learned that all of my disorders come from the fact that my mother has an auto-immune disease as well. All of my issues are along the same lines, just having different outcomes. Shockingly enough, some of the meds I am on have been the same ones she has been on at one time or another.

many re's dont believe in it. I know, my first RE wanted to have nothing to do with it. I have suffered from miscarriages, but i have implantation issues as well. My first RE would not treat me for that either. But, since i have been tested and treated for them, I am now pregnant with 3 sacs, 2 of which have heartbeats already. I am of course a nervous wreck, but at this point, i am ahead of the game and feel very confident in this pregnancy.

It is a hard choice, something you can really only decide. Many of the bloodwork I had done was not covered by my insurance. I decided to pay OOP for it, but it was worth it.

Feel free to ask any questions, i have done SO much research!!! good luck to you!

Re: Immunological testing...

lets say we will never know,, Get tested anyway.. blood clotting and immune issues are good to know for your future health.. No lets say you find out you ahve one or the other or both..The treatment can not hurt you or the baby.. Now one question.. have you spoke to an RE who believes that it is definately an issue? or just the ones that do not believe? I would recommend talking to Dr Braverman he happens to be the only one I know that thinks this is an issue and offers the testing and the treatments.. SIRM has offices all over but he is in the LI office.. They all believe the same thing there so you can talk to any of them in any office..

Re: Immunological testing...

I had my thrombophilia panel run by my reg OB. It was covered by my health insurance. Search your family history far and wide for any clotting (stroke, DVT, Bypasses) issues or autoimmune issues (Lupus, Neuropathy, RA). I happen to have both. my aunt had a stroke at around 50, my grandmother had multiple bypasses done on her legs, my dad has neuropathy. Also my sister tested positive for clotting factors. So the insurance company had to cover it.

Re: Immunological testing...

As with so many other IF treatments, immunity testing is great to some RE's and others want nothing to do with it. If you think about it, it's the same with protocols. Some swear by one protocol over another. Unfortunatley, there is no right or wrong answer. Some things work for some and not for others.

For me, I knew something was going on that was keeping me from getting pg. After I had my son, I started breaking out in hives. My other RE dismissed it totally but Dr. Braverman took the time to investigate and research and discovered that it could very well be related to an autoimmune issue. I probably had it all along but my pregnancy caused it to get worse. I did all the immunity testing and he found 2 issues with me. Both were easily treatable. Did it help? I like to think so. Can we prove it? No. But for me, I had to do this to settle my mind. kWIM? And as a pp stated, none of the treatments would harm me or the baby in any way so, why not try them. Nothing else was working. I had to do this for my own peace of mind. To know that I tried everything possible.

My insurance paid for some of the testing but we paid about $400 out of pocket.

Re: Immunological testing...

Thanks everyone!

I'm not sure what my RE's stance on immunological testing is to be honest. We haven't had our "next steps" appointment yet - so I was just trying to do some research beforehand.

I'm actually going to be having a phone consult with Dr. Braverman (if you remember, I live OOS - so I can't actually go to him).

There actually is some history of clotting disorders - my grandmother (dad's mom) had Phlebitis (sp?) and my other gradmother had TIAs which are technically clots too I believe.

Thanks for all of the advice! I'm sure I'll have lots of things to discuss with my RE at the next meeting. I just like to go in there informed and I feel comforted when he suggests the same things that other people have also recommended, KWIM?