Miscarriage Testing

This was posted with permission from my friend ozgal who did a lot of info gathering. It's a list of all the different types of testing that you can get done. My ob/gyn today suggested that I just get the IgG and IgM tests done -- as they more common blood clotting disorders. I'll get the results in a few days time.

Here's a list of suggested post-m/c tests (with resources below):

• Toxoplasmosis


• Antinuclear Antibody Titre (ANA)


• Anti dsDNA Antibody


• Anti ENA screen (ELISA)


• APA – Antiphospholipid Antibodies (Anticardiolipin antibodies)


• Lupus Anticoagulant


• Thrombotic Assays (for clotting factors):

-- Antithrombin III Activity
-- Protein C Assay (functional)
-- Protein S Assay (free)
-- Plasminogen Assay
-- Activated Protein C Resistance (Factor V Leiden)

• Serum Immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM)


• Fertility hormones: Progesterone, HcG, Prolactin


• RIP (Reproductive Immunophenotype – natural killer (NK) cell)


• NKA (NK cell assay)


• Antihistone Antibody


• Coagulation Assay


• DQ alpha HLA antigen (male and female)


• LAD (Lymphocyte Antibody Detection) (male and female)


• TNF alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor)


• Antibodies to neurotransmitters


• ETA (embryotoxicity assay)


• Ratio of TH1 to TH2


• Genetic/karyotyping of male/female blood


• DNA Integrity Assay (this requires sperm analysis)

Sources:
Dr. Jonathan Scher and Carol Dix, Preventing Miscarriage, the Good News. New York: Harper Collins, 2005.
Jon Cohen, Coming to Term: Uncovering the Truth About Miscarriage. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2005.
http://www.repro-med.net/info/cat1-5.php
http://www.haveababy.com/rpl/basics.asp
http://www.illinoisivf.com/recurrent-pregnancy-loss/post-implantation.html
http://www.inciid.org/article.php?cat=immunology&id=374&pagenumber=1
http://www.asklenore.info/miscarriage/immune_testing.html
http://www.rialab.com/miscarriages_prevented.php
http://sharedjourney.com/loss.html
http://www.infertilitytutorials.com/miscarriage_members/hormonal.cfm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4002539.stm
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/miscrg.html#Prevention
http://www.sefertility.com/patinfo_progesterone.html

Please send her some prayers as thank you for sharing. She'll need them as she works on TTC post loss.

About Anti-sperm Antibodies

I've looked up links on this topic for online friends who have had to contend with this male-factor fertility problem.

There are a few different types of anti-sperm antibodies, they can attach at the head, mid-section or tail. Identifying what type you have is key as it helps the doc to know what kind of wash to do prior to an insemination.

General information about this condition:

Treatment of Infertility Associated with the Presence of Sperm Antibodies in the Man

Anti-Sperm Antibodies

Antisperm Antibodies

Immunological Factors & Infertility

Immunological Testing and Treatment for Infertility

When Sperm Meets Egg: Sperm-Mucus Interaction

Medical articles and abstracts about anti-sperm antibodies

Semen sample collection in medium enhances the implantation rate following ICSI in patients with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

Sperm antibodies

Intra-uterine insemination versus cyclic, low-dose prednisolone in couples with male antisperm antibodies.

A comparison of intrauterine insemination in superovulated cycles to intercourse in couples where the male is receiving steroids for the treatment of autoimmune infertility.

Characterization of spermatozoa surface antigens by antisperm antibodies and its influence on acrosomal exocytosis.

[Chinese traditional medicine yi kang ling to treat immunity infertility caused by anti-sperm antibody: the experimental research II]

[Effect of antisperm antibodies on assisted reproduction]

[Effect of heavy metals on immune reactions in patients with infertility]

[Immunological approach to male contraception]



The Infetility Cure also mentions that ASA can be treated with chinese herbs, focusing on the pattern of deficiency or excess. At any rate, the anti-bodies indicate an immune reaction in the body and taking the efforts to try to improve the man's health overall should help provide some results, even if it is just better quality sperm for IVF. I'd do the MFI supplement cocktail, though consulting with a TCM practitioner would be an excellent place to start.

The psychological burden of fertility

Infertility I think, from a psychological burden standpoint is so hard to take. Will we or won't we? Can we or can't we? Actually I know people who don't even plan on having children who still struggle with their fertility.

One friend of mine thinks this is due to the fact that out of any of our instincts the desire to reproduce would be one of the strongest since that is what perpetuates the species. Watching the birds nesting in our yard and how they do it year after year in spite of the grueling feeding schedules I think that is probably true.

I called the fertility clinic on Thursday and got the SPA test results which are completely normal (a good ratio of sperm penetrated the ova showing good functioning). I've got an ultrasound scheduled for Wednesday to check up on my fibroid. I had continued growth from September 2002 through February 2004; I would love to see that there was no growth but that might be too much to ask for.

My partner is feeling really good about the IUI prospects and he's getting psyched up for me getting pregnant soon. It is kind of cute but it feels so far from reality to me. It feels like winning the lottery, you can't even imagine what it is like until you do it. There are sooooooo many pregnant women and new babies in town right now that I'm constantly gazing after. I try not to make it too much of a head trip but it is hard to not think Why not me?