|
Blood tests may be indicated to help evaluate your
prior reproductive loss or failed IVF cycles. The field of
Reproductive Immunology is a relatively new area of medicine
used to identify specific factors contributing to your inability to
conceive/carry a pregnancy and offer medical therapy to improve
your chances of delivering a child. The following tests to help you
conceive and carry a pregnancy are available through the Follas
IVF Center:
Autoimmune Antibodies: These antibodies may cause
abnormal blood clotting, which can prevent good maternal-fetal
circulation necessary for fetal growth. Low positives are often
treated with baby aspirin; higher levels may require
anticoagulation with Lovenox, an injectable blood thinner.
Natural Killer Cells: Normally NKC’s are made by our
bodies to prevent or treat diseases such as infections and cancer.
High levels of natural killer cells may interfere with normal
pregnancy progression if the body abnormally detects the
pregnancy as foreign. In the past, most patients with this
abnormality required treatment with IVIG, which was expensive
and time consuming. At the Follas center, newer protocols have
evolved into using inexpensive oral medication to reduce the
abnormal natural killer cell population for those patients who have
suffered reproductive loss due to NKC’s.
Embryo Toxic Factor: Our white blood cells normally
secrete this substance, which can accumulate due to previous
miscarriages, resulting in a higher chance to lose the next
pregnancy. Treatment is designed to suppress the patient’s
abnormal immune response toward the developing fetus.
Results: Dr. McLaughlin compared all his patients who
had an embryo transfer in 2001 (without immune
testing/treatment) with those who were diagnosed and treated in
2002.
| 
