Is Treg testing worthwhile?

darlenesommerville

13 Posts
Reply Posted on: Jun 30, 2012 at 4:10pm
Hello Dr Braverman!

I have a question about Tregs.

Since my TH1/TH2 Cytokine Ratios, Natural Killer Cell Assays, HLA, Reproductive Immunophenotype, auto-immune (all), Polymorphism (all) and other immune test results are all good (yeah!), would it be useful having my Tregs tested to see why I haven't been able to conceive either naturally or medically since giving birth to my last child several years ago?

Note - the ONLY thing to show up slightly higher than normal was my Rheumatoid Factor of 20 (the cut-off for normal is 19 or under according to RFU).

Please let me know if it's even worth having my Tregs tested considering my normal test results. Could the results possibly give any enlightening information? If not Tregs, are there any other new lab tests that could possibly shed light given my normal results? I appreciate your opinion.

Thank you, and have a wonderful day!

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
RE: Is Treg testing worthwhile? Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 at 11:05am
much of that answer would depend on your entire clinical history and when the tests are drawn. I could not offer you any advice without knowledge of this.
I would be happy to help you if you would like, you would need to call my office for a brief consultaton and we could discuss if there is a need for more.
The T regs alone with all esle normal would not add much , unless drawn when pregnancy.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

darlenesommerville

13 Posts
Reply RE: Is Treg testing worthwhile? Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 at 9:15pm
Since all my immune test results (mentioned above) came back "normal" (other than rheumatoid factor which is just above the normal cut-off), we were thinking of proceeding with another ivf cycle without having my Tregs tested (the ONLY test I didn't have done).

At this point, in light of the extensive testing I had done and all the normal results, we just don't think it's necessary to have my Tregs tested. After getting back all my results, my RE firmly believes that my 2 failed ivfs (no pregnancy detected with either) was just "bad luck" rather than immune or structural. He may very well be right considering that my immune tests as well as my hysteroscopy/biopsy & SIS were all fine.

So we want to go forward with the cycle without any additional testing, but we definitely want my immune numbers to be monitored by you if I get pregnant. How quickly would I be able to start being monitored by you after pregnancy confirmation? Would I have to wait weeks or even months? I'm assuming time will be of the essence if I get pregnant in terms of making sure my numbers stay good & healthy - especially after 2 failed ivfs.

Please let me know how it would work - assuming I do get pregnant!

Thanks so much!

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
RE: Is Treg testing worthwhile? Posted on: Jul 3, 2012 at 9:15am
We would want to begin monitoring immediately with a pregnancy , it would also depend where you live and if out of state needing a collabortive physician to work with. But yes once pregnant the T regs become impoartant , no so much so prior to pregnancy.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.