Re-visiting Immunology

kitty

3 Posts
Reply Posted on: Apr 18, 2016 at 6:43pm
Hello Dr Braverman,


I have worked with several IVF clinics in the CA Bay Area since January 2013. During those years, I been through 7 rounds of IVF with 7 ETs (4 fresh transfers and 3 frozen transfers). These transfers resulted in 2 biochemical pregnancies, 1 ectopic pregnancy and 2 miscarriages.In 2015, I began seeing an acupuncturist who specialized in infertility and immunology. She recommended I see Dr Christo Zouves for recurrent pregnancy loss and immunology testing. Initial bloodwork revealed I have elevated NK cells (2/5), highly elevated TH1/TH2 (4/5), positive for 1 copy of MTHFR (A1298C) and positive for 2 clotting anti-bodies (IgM-Phosphatadic Acid and IgG-Phosphoinositol). Dr Zouves recommended gluten free and dairy free diet, Maxiflavone, Intralipid transfusions, baby aspirin, Folate and Lovenox. Since Dr Zouves does not treat immunology for patients that do not do IVF with him, my acupuncturist 'managed' my immunology issues through Chinese herbs, supplements (baby aspirin, Methyl-Guard (methylated Folate), Wobenzym-M, etc) and put me on a gluten free, dairy free and sugar free diet. I have not had any further immunology testing since my visit to Dr Zouves.


Fast forward to this February, we did an IVF cycle and had to do a Day 3 transfer (embryos weren't looking too good and doctors recommended a transfer). Surprisingly, both embryos took but sadly we lost the first one at 6 weeks and then the second one at 12 weeks. I had a natural miscarriage and was able to collect the fetus for genetic testing. Results are pending...


I'm 41 years old and I have 2 genetically tested normal frozen embryos and 2 untested frozen embryos remaining. At this point, I think I need to seriously re-visit the immunology path before any more transfers. Does your office treat immunology matters without having to do an IVF cycle? How easy or how difficult is it for out of town patients to receive treatment? (I live in California). Otherwise, I can reach out to the Beers Clinic in Los Gatos or look into surrogacy.

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
RE: Re-visiting Immunology Posted on: Apr 19, 2016 at 9:02am
we will collaborate wtih any center that requests our help. We can have all of your blood tests done locally and sent to lab in Boston , we do this for patients all over the world. Based on your history above you do need our help.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

kitty

3 Posts
Reply RE: Re-visiting Immunology Posted on: Apr 19, 2016 at 2:30pm
Before I go down the path of becoming an immunology patient with your clinic, does your office have a list of recommended collaborating doctors for Northern California (preferably in the Bay Area)? I have frozen embryos at Stanford in Palo Alto and Pacific Fertility Center in San Francisco.


Thank you!

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
RE: Re-visiting Immunology Posted on: Apr 19, 2016 at 2:36pm
you can look on my website to see if there is a center near you. We have worked with Stanford University in the past as well.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

kitty

3 Posts
Reply RE: Re-visiting Immunology Posted on: Apr 22, 2016 at 9:35am
Two more questions:

Does your office accept transferred embryos for FETs?

Has your office worked with Stanford REI? The consulting clinic list shows collaboration with Stanford OB/GYN only.

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
RE: Re-visiting Immunology Posted on: Apr 22, 2016 at 10:16am
yes we accept transfer embryos. We will collaborate with any clinic that requests an official consult from us on our website.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.