Natural Killer Cell Testing
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Anonymous
| Does anyone know how/where one can get this done? Does your RE need to be the one to send you specimen out to be tested? I was reading Dr. Sher's website on this topic and he said that that is the first thing he tests when looking at immune issues. if the test is negative there is no need to go further but if it is positive then they will run additional tests. I am a Shady Grove patient and from what I have heard through blogs they don't believe in immune issues? Is this true? And if so, how can one go about getting this done? My dx is unexplained and everything on both our ends checks out fine. I am about to start IVF so maybe that will be the trick but if the cycle fails I'd really like to look into this before proceeding to a second cycle. Anyone with any experience they can share? |
Anonymous
| Dr. Abbasi at CFA is the only one in this area that will do the immunology testing and then she works with others for the immune issues. If you need to be local you might want to consider switching to CFA. Sher will do testing. I had initial testing done with them but umless you are a patient with them for IVF they won't/can't treat you for the immunology issues. I went to see Dr. Braverman in NY (Long Island) after consulting with Sher, but I'm not sure if he will do the immunology management without you being his patient. He said something about not being able to do it anymore, something to do with a change in licensing in NY. SG won't do anything immunology-wise. I did a round with SG (shared risk DE) and got treatment from Braverman. |
Anonymous
| Thanks for this info. Can you explain how you did a round at Shady Grove in consultation with Braverman? I saw on Braverman's website that they will work with you out of state but figured since Shady Grove didn't believe in it didn't think that would work? Would you advise getting the testing done by Braverman or Sher (or does it matter)? |
Anonymous
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I was in the shared risk for DE at SG. I scheduled my consultation with Braverman and arranged all the testing. Sher isn't as comprehensive as Braverman so I wouldn't waste my time with them. I handed the results of my testing with Sher to Braverman and he said that the testing really didn't tell him much because they didn't test for lots of stuff that he needs to see. Once you get all the testing done with Braverman then you can go back to SG to do your IVF cycle. If you need immunological treatment then Braverman will arrange to have you get treatment up in his office. I went up to get intralipids about 5 days before my FET. Some of the consultations can be done over the phone. They also set up the blood tests in your home too.
Be warned though, the testing with Braverman as well as him managing a cycle will cost you about 4 grand. My insurance didn't cover any of it. I was able to get back most through my FSA. If you have immune issues then the money is immaterial. You will be wasting even more by doing IVF without the treatment. |
Anonymous
| Thanks so much for your response - this information is enlightening. So your insurance wouldn't cover any of the testing at all? I have Federal MDIPA which I think would be even more difficult to cover anything done in consultation with someone out of the DMV. Can I ask what made you get immune testing and when you did it. Did the treatment with Braverman ended up being a success? Also, is there any way to get treatment locally similar to how one can do testing locally? The trip up for intralipids - was that your only treatment required or were there other trips? Many thanks in advance as I know this is a lot of questions. I am unexplained and looking into this issue. I've never had a BFP despite many many perfect cycles. |
Anonymous
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I did immune testing because I had a few fresh DE cycles that did not work and one DE FET that was positive but stopped growing before the 6 week appt. The last cycle was not successful, but who knows why? I am older, 44, so take my experience with a grain of salt. I had been pregnant the old fashioned way but I had to terminate due to a fetal anomaly and I had gotten pregnant relatively easily at 40 and then it wasn't happening again so I decided to explore the immune issues. I didn't really think of it when I was using my own eggs but I got suspicious when the DE cycles weren't working.
I have United Healthcare through my husband's work. MDIPA will not cover anything. I hated having that insurance. They were good for the IVF cycles but I hated them for everything else. I had MDIPA feds when I did my IVF cycles with my own eggs. |
Anonymous
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I had BCBS up until this year when I switched for IVF. Of the two fed options - the MDIPA was the better of the two but definitely limits you on everything else. BCBS was great with diagnostic coverage so I wish I had explored this when I was under them as I could have gone up to see Braverman. I am gearing up for my first IVF cycle and will see how that goes. If it doesn't work I'd like to explore this issue a bit more before moving to a second cycle (especially as I only get coverage for three IVFs per live birth). I'm sorry your last and previous cycles have not been successful. I am 34 soon to be 35 in a month and have never had a BFP which has me thinking something must be off. Hopefully IVF will help if this current cycle is a bust.
What are your plans now/going forward? |
Anonymous
| My husband and I are exploring adoption. I did 9 transfers, 4 IVF with my eggs and 2 fresh DE cycles and 3 FET. I am done with trying to get pregnant. |
Anonymous
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I saw Dr. Abbasi and Dr. Braverman and had success going that route after many losses. I did not have the expense of IVF to get pregnant though, so spending money to see Braverman was not as taxing for us financially as it may be for others. My insurance covered IVIG and out of network labs at 85% so all of my testing even at RFU was covered at least that much.
I'm consulting with Dr. B soon for our next pregnancy so hopefully he'll fill me in on the changes in his practice/policies that have changed since the last time we met. Last time I did not need to go to NY to get intralipids, but I'm prepared to do that if needed. |
Anonymous
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I'm the PP here and just wanted to add that I was also a Shady Grove patient and miscarried twice while there (5th and 6th miscarriages) and left because at 30 they were recommending PGD and IVF even though we didn't have trouble getting pregnant.
I just knew it was something else and not my eggs - and I was right. |
Anonymous
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@12:59- I am so sorry you have been through so much. I truly hope all works out with the adoption process. Best of luck to you.
@13:50- did you do the tests with braver man remotely? Is your insurance BCBS by any chance? And did you do timed intercourse or IUI when you last cycled? |
Anonymous
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This is the lab the SIRM NJ uses. http://www.millenova.com/tests/nkassay.cfm
From the FAQ page: Q. Do I need a physician to order tests? A. Yes. You may ask your infertility doctor or primary care physician to order and receive results. |
Anonymous
| NP here. I had my testing done locally through Dr. Abbasi and the Beer Center. There are only a few labs in the country that perform the specific immune tests you will need. If you have BCBS, insist on having your tests processed through Rosalind Franklin University (RFU) in Chicago. To my knowledge, they are the only immune lab that accepts insurance and they are a preferred provider for BCBS. BCBS also covered my IVIG with a $40 co-pay for the drug and a $25 co-pay for the infusion service. |
Anonymous
This is great - thanks for posting. Do you recall how much the test costs? While shady grove may not do it my primary doctor might as she is the one who had me go see an RE instead of an obgyn. Is the test a blood test or an endometrial swab? |
Anonymous
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Millenova lab is no longer in existence. It is now fertility and cryogenics lab.
Not sure how you get anything run thru Rosalind Franklin unless you actually go see kwak-Kim herself. |