Yeah, so I checked out Alan Beer's Is Your Body Baby-Friendly: "Unexplained" Infertility, Miscarriage, and IVF Failure Explained and I am freaking out! Beyond validating my vague knowledge that APA results other than anti-cardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant can have significance in pregnancy,* it's making me think about all the unknowns. Do I have natural killer cells? Do I have undiagnosed IBS? Is my serotonin level screwed up, which is why I get migraines? Is my body completely toxic?
Okay, not opening that book again.
* Here's the thing: when I had APA testing done back in 2003, they tested all 21 (?) different markers. I was told that *several* of them came back positive, which my RE assured me was fairly typical in APA+ women. My sister is also APA+ so WFRE said it was likely not a false positive result and I should be on heparin during pregnancy. Dr. Gorgeous, after reviewing my old chart, said I was never positive for anti-cardiolipin antibiody, which is the one that is the usual red flag. According to this insane book, if only anticardiolipin is tested, 81% of [APA+] women "will have the diagnosis missed." So, once again, thank you, Dr. Gorgeous for being willing to stick me on heparin even if you are not 100% convinced that I need to be on it. Some day I need to get a look at that chart!
A lot of doctors think that APS is equivalent to just testing for the specific ACA. I had the same conversation with my doc. I knew I had been tested for ACA. I wanted to make sure I had been tested for APS. I asked him had I been tested for this (meaning that great long list of APS antibodies that you referred to). He said yes. What he actually meant was ACA. I know because I have the lab report. Mos REs don't have a clue about RI.
ReplyDeleteThe main thing is that your doc is willing to put you on heparin regardless. Good luck.
Thanks, Andie. My RE seems to be knowledgeable about many immune issues--or at least willing to test widely for them--but this seems to be her one blind spot. Maybe it's nothing more than a hunch, but I really think I would have had problems if I wasn't on heparin with LG. Anyway, as you said, at least she's willing to recognize the treatment might help regardless.
ReplyDelete