Immunology and its effect on IVF

After 3 unsuccessful IVFs with Dr Derek Lo despite grade 1 embryos, DH and I decided to seek a 2nd opinion from Dr Milton Leong 3 weeks ago. His point of view was really refreshing. Instead of attacking my age (I am 41 this year), he tried to get to the root of my problem and suggested an immunology test to begin with. So he took quite a bit of blood and sent it off to a lab in Chicago for an analysis (it seems immunology tests can only be done in America)

Got my results back today and indeed I have high level of antibodies. I was briefly told over the phone that my killer white blood cells are higher than average and while they are not harmful to the body and in fact helps to protect the body against bad cells like cancer etc, these killer cells are also rejecting my embryos as they cannot recognise it as "self" and seen as "foreign". This could be the reason why my embryos have not been implanting. I will go see Dr Leong on Monday for a further discussion on this but he assures me that this can be easily managed with steriods after the egg transfer.

Has anyone had the same diagnosis or heard of this before? I am surprised that my previous doctor (Derek Lo) did not do any such diagnosis before proceeding with the IVF therapies and I went through 3 IUIs and 3 IVFs wtih him.

hi

yes, i have definitely heard of immuniology issues preventing implantation. as with dr leung, i have also heard that it can be managed. i am very glad that you apparently have found the root of the problem.

good luck to you.

Hi ezpz,


It is in fact very positive news that you have identified the cause of the failed IUI/IVFs. Now you can focus on the treatments before trying again. The worst is when the causes are unknown.


I went to Derek Lo the same week I turned 41 hoping to undergo IVF treaments. He told me I might as well throw money down the drain as the success rate would be next to none. As much as I'd like to think that he was being fatherly and genuine, I did feel discriminated again and did not go back to him. If a doctor does not have faith in me and himself in making the treatments work, all are bound to fail. I also did not want to see a doctor who is so negative.


I recently suffered my 2nd miscarriage and asked my obn/gyn Dr Eric Lee if we should consider an exam on the embryo. His advice was for me to undergo some blood tests for lead/ mercury level, antibodies and lupus instead (thank God I came back clear). I think that is a positive approach - he also has faith in me that if the last 2 miscarriages were caused by chromosome problems, we will succeed one day. He knows we are not ready to give up yet, so a good doctor will be there for you to support you rather than putting you down.


Best of luck :)