vaccinations, autoimmune disease, immunocompromised (miscarr mentioned)

Obviously there are many reasons to move forward w IVF. The issue of elevated NK cell in IVF patients is newly emerging topic that has still yet to be accepted by most medical authorities.
The theory is that if a patient's immune cells are preventing her from getting pregnant and/or carrying pregnancy to full term, then giving the patient immune therapy (via IVIg infusions or alternately, intralipid infusions, and possibly steroid treatment) may calm down/desensitize the patient's system.

What may tip you off as to getting youself tested? Here's a list (I'll add more in future posts if i can think of anything else).

1. You've had a series of failed IUI's

2. You or a blood relative have a history of miscarriages, asthma, severe allergies, blood disorders, pcos, diabetes, thyroid issues, lupus, psoriasis, or any of the myriad of autoimmune disease.

3. You or any blood relative have a condition requiring life long medication.

3. You've received ANY innoculations within the last five years. This includes hep, tb, influenza, etc.

4. You've,at any point in your life, ever traveled/lived outside of the country or are in/have been in the military (requiring vaccinations.)

5. You've had a child/children and developed hypothyroidism.

6. You have symptoms of pcos or hypo- or hyper- thyroidism.

7. If you've ever had your spleen removed or if you've ever received a donor organ.

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The bottom line is if you or a blood relative (and therefore, possibly you) have any known or unspecified immune issue or autoimmune disease then you should get tested.

Some fertility clinics run a screening panel for new patients and some dont. You may or may not know that you carry an autoimmune trait or that your body system is immunocompromised. A basic screening panel should include TSH and antithyroid antibodies.

If any of the above relates to you particularly if you are 40+, then yes, insist on getting tested or go to someone who does. If you're positive (or even borderline) you'll get more tests done, including getting NK cell titers (levels) checked, and evetually treatment you'll need in addition to IVF to get that BFP.