New Delhi (India), November 7: Recurrent miscarriages in early-stage pregnancy and unexplained infertility are considered possible indicators of autoimmune disorders in the body. Conditions such as thyroid disease, decreased ovarian reserve, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, anti-sperm antibodies, and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLAS) must be rightly treated to overcome infertility.
Dr. Nisarg Patel of Nisha IVF Centre, a leading IVF centre in Ahmedabad, states,’ testing for immune issues is a must in cases of unexplained infertility. Also, the treatment needs to be customized as per the patient and closely monitored to ensure a successful pregnancy and healthy baby.’
Also, he explains the reason for failure in conceiving or sustaining full-term pregnancy in such patients during the implantation stage of the embryos. The autoimmune condition of the patient considers the embryo as a foreign body and attacks it, leading to recurrent miscarriages. Moreover, a weak immune system may not be capable of fighting the risk of infection and diseases leading to miscarriages.
Also, anti-sperm antibodies in males and females can lead to immunological infertility. It is also likely that autoimmune conditions can lead to the passive transfer of antibodies leading to neonatal thyrotoxicosis, neonatal lupus, neonatal myasthenia gravis or even fetal heart block and heart failure.
In such cases, seeking expert assistance from a specialized IVF Centre in India becomes crucial, as they possess the expertise to address the challenges posed by autoimmune conditions, thereby increasing the chances of successful pregnancy through advanced reproductive techniques.
He shares a list of tests that help to effectively identify patients with immunological disorders who need suitable treatment to sustain their pregnancy smoothly.
Doctors recommend the following tests for autoimmunity:
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA) panel – This blood test looks out for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), which bind to the nucleus with the body cells. A positive antibody test indicates the presence of antibodies, and further tests are recommended to identify them.
Antiphospholipid antibody panel is also referred to as APA, lupus anticoagulant test. It detects the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies made by the body’s immune system and reacts to the phospholipids in the blood.
- Thyroid Antibodies panel – This test measures the level of thyroid antibodies in the blood, which attack healthy thyroid cells leading to autoimmune thyroid conditions. Also, other tests are performed to measure the levels of thyroid hormone levels, viz.T3, T4, and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone).
Doctors recommend the following tests for inflammation:
- C-reactive (CRP) protein test – This test measures the level of c-reactive protein in the liver. High C-reactive (CRP) protein levels indicate inflammation in the body and serious health conditions.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) – This test detects the presence of Interleukin 6 and helps in the diagnosis of inflammatory conditions at an early stage, such as Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, lupus, and so on.
Doctors recommend the following tests for immune or allergy markers:
- CBC with differential – A complete blood count is a common blood test included in a routine checkup. It detects conditions such as anemia, infections, immune disorders and blood cancers.
- Immunoglobulins test – this test measures the number of antibodies or immunoglobulins, viz IgM, IgG, IgE and IgA in the body. These are basically proteins that strengthen the immunity system to attack viruses and bacteria. It is also known as quantitative immunoglobulins, total immunoglobulins, IgG, IgM, IgA testing
- Natural Killer Cell test – This test detects the level of Natural Killer Cells in the blood. Elevated NK cells can lead to miscarriage as they attack the placenta and/or the embryo considering them to be foreign bodies. Research states that elevated NK cells are detected during menstruation and highest during pregnancy. Hence, it is necessary to check the levels of NK Cells.
- Helper T 1 & 2 Assay – Helper T cells are very important cells from the immunity perspective and hence essential for adaptive immune responses. They play a vital role in activating B cells for secretion of antibodies and macrophages to destroy the present microbes and also activate cytotoxic T cells which kill the infected target cells. In case of the elevated ratio of these cells, the risk of infertility and loss of pregnancy increases greatly.
- Thrombophilia Screening – Screening for thrombophilia includes a combination of tests which detect the levels Antithrombin, Protein C, and Protein S, naturally occurring anticoagulants which are responsible for blood clotting. Recent research reveals pregnancy complications associated with thrombophilia include severe preeclampsia intrauterine growth retardation abruptio placentae and stillbirth.
Dr. Nisarg Patel states that assisted reproduction is inevitable for patients diagnosed with immunological infertility and with extra care to ensure a successful pregnancy. In case of antispermantiobodies, he recommends IUI/IVF/ICSI procedure wherein it is possible to inject the sperm sample directly into the egg cell for fertilization.
He adds that the recently introduced IVIG therapy is quite reliable in treating immunological challenges faced by women during pregnancy. In this therapy, IVIG, which is made of human antibodies, is administered to suppress the immune system of the women and prevent the antibodies from attaching the fetus or the embryo. The IVIG is also capable of blocking or absorbing the antibodies present in the woman and can hamper the pregnancy.
Dr. Nisarg Patel, a renowned fertility specialist at Nisha IVF Centre, Ahmedabad, states, “IVIG therapy is very effective in resolving immunological complications and prevent pregnancy complications. I am able to treat my patients with a customized IVIG treatment and hope for a successful pregnancy.’
About Nisha IVF Centre
Nisha IVF Centre is one of the best IVF centres in Ahmedabad, founded by Dr. Nisarg Patel and Dr. Himali Maniar Patel, highly experienced gynecologists with expertise in treating infertility. Nisha IVF Centre offers treatment for male infertility, female infertility, repeated IVF failures, and also offers assisted reproductive treatment including IVF, IUI, ICSI, frozen embryo transfer, egg freezing, and so on.
Nisha IVF Centre has successfully treated more than 500 couples across Ahmedabad, and Gujarat for infertility and helped them to become parents.
Contact Nisha IVF Centre
- Address: 201, 2nd Floor, Bhavya Shopping Complex, opp. Govt Tubewell, Bopal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380058,India
- Tel: 9081233800, 2717233800
- Email: [email protected]
- Timings: Mon-Sat: 11 am to 2 pm | Mon-Sat: 6 pm to 9 pm
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