*Another* Chemical with PGS Normal Embryo

[Anonymous]

This is the 3rd chemical pregnancy I've had with a PGS normal embryo FET and I'm getting mighty frustrated... My RE only "counted" one of them as a chemical because the other two I only saw on the home pregnancy tests and by the time I went in for the bloodwork my HCG was back to zero.

I don't think I even have a question, just came on here to vent. I'm 32 and I think they've run all the tests on me, so there's no real explanation. We're doing IVF for male factor.

I've been testing since 4dp5dt and it's 7dp5dt and the lines on the tests are just as faint. This won't end well, I just know it. Blood test on 28th.

[Anonymous]

Who is your RE?

[Anonymous]

Dr Khan, Shady Grove

[Anonymous]

What's your TSH? Have you been tested for thyroid antibodies? Autoimmune disease can prevent an embryo from implanting as your body sees it as "other", like a bacterial infection, and will start attacking it.
There are other explanations as well, including bad luck, but this is the first thing I would look into.
Also, are you sure the home pregnancy tests measured a pregnancy and not your trigger shot?

[Anonymous]

Interesting point about the TSH - I have a thyroid nodule but saw an endocrinologist who cleared me with no concerns, although didn't specifically ask him about antibodies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting point about the TSH - I have a thyroid nodule but saw an endocrinologist who cleared me with no concerns, although didn't specifically ask him about antibodies.

Not all endocrinologist specialize in fertility issues. I got a recommendation for one from my RE. Another option is to get your thyroid antibodies tested by your primary care physician. Do you know your TSH number?

[Anonymous]

Have you considered CCRM?

[Anonymous]

After getting a full thyroid panel done (not just TSH - your SGF RE should know the difference), I'd do a consult with SIRM in NY.

They specialize in immune issues and can run some tests that SGF isn't generally willing to do b/c they don't believe in immune issues. I'd also ask both clinics about Receptiva, the ERA test and an endometrial biopsy.

But after 3 PGS transfers, regardless of whether you call them negatives or chemicals, something's up. Statistically, your three PGS transfers should have a combined success rate of 96%. So you should be pushing for additional testing at SGF and doing other consults. The good news is the often there is a treatable reason and if you can figure it out, you have a good chance with future transfers.

[Anonymous]

Do ERA

[Anonymous]

Really sorry for your losses OP. Have you been tested for recurrent pregnancy loss? And if I were you, I would be calling my nurse at SG demanding that my HCG be tested immediately upon getting a positive HPT due to the past CPs. Remember that they work for you!!

I also agree with all the PP who are encouraging you to have thyroid testing--do it with a regular endocrinologist, even if your RE at SG tells you there is no need to. I lost trust in my GW RE, in part, over this very thing and wound up switching clinics earlier this year--I had 2 chemical pregnancies and a miscarriage at 7 weeks in an ~8 mo time span. Although they were all natural conceptions, I was already seeing an RE at GW. She ran recurrent pregnancy loss tests on me that included testing for anti-phospholipid antibodies, which can lead to clotting (came back negative). However, she insisted that my TSH being above 2.5 was not a problem because I was negative for anti-TPO antibodies. She also refused to run tests to rule out inherited thrombophilias because she didn't believe it to be "standard of care."

I sought out second opinions from an endocrinologist, a hematologist to run the inherited thrombophilia tests (I had another indication to see a hematologist anyway), and eventually a maternal-fetal medicine specialist to weigh in on the plan the other two specialists suggested (since we had finally established that we could conceive naturally). The endocrinologist tested me for other antibodies besides the anti-TPO one, plus some additional hormones my RE had never looked at, and also sent me for a thyroid ultrasound based on physical exam findings. I don't have the antibodies but the u/s indicated a problem w/ my thyroid. Ultimately I wound up on Synthroid (which incidentally seemed to help me lose a few pounds) and a daily baby aspirin, with the plan to start Lovenox immediately after my next positive HCG. We conceived by IUI 6 weeks after switching to an RE at Dominion Fertility, and so far all's good with all of these changes in place.

Bottom line: There may, in fact, be more tests than can be done, and if your current RE isn't going to help you get that, then seek second opinions and change clinics.