Immune Testing

Immune Testing at the Zita West Clinic

We carry out two levels of testing, using blood tests, to help identify any underlying reasons that implantation may not be happening. At the clinic we call these tests ‘Level One’ and ‘Level Two’ tests. Level One tests will indicate whether there are any underlying medical issues and whether there are clotting factors (thrombophilia) present. Level Two tests check for immune implications at a deeper level.

LEVEL ONE TESTING

The Level One tests will show us whether there are any underlying medical issues, e.g. anaemia, diabetes, how the liver and kidneys are functioning, and how the thyroid is functioning – over or underactive. By looking at the levels of the thyroid hormones TSH, T3 and T4 we can also see whether there are any antibodies present that might attack the thyroid gland (thyroid peroxidise antibodies). Level One tests have the most evidence to support their use and are used by many doctors in the NHS when a woman has had three or more miscarriages.

Level 1 Tests

• FBC (Full Blood Count)
• Fasting blood glucose,
• LFTs,
• U&Es,
• Thyroid function – TSH, FT4,
• Thrombophilia screen – anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG and IgM),
• Antithrombin 111,
• Factor V Leiden,
• Factor II prothrombin gene,
• PAIP polymorphism,
• Activated protein C resistance,
• Protein C / Protein S,
• Lupus anticoagulant,
• MTHFR,
• Auto-immune antibodies – including anti-nuclear antibodies,
• Thyroid peroxidise and anti-mitochondrial antibodies,
• Thrombotic Risk Screen – FBC, anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG and IgM),
• Antithrombin 111, factor V Leiden, factor II prothrombin gene, MTHFR,
•  Activated protein C resistance, Protein C, Protein S, lupus anticoagulant,
• PAIP polymorphism
• Auto-immune antibodies
• Chromosome karotype (female)
• Chromosome karotype (male)

LEVEL TWO TESTING

In the second level of tests we look at the immune implications at a deeper level to give us a greater understanding by looking at subsets of white blood tests (NK cells) in the immune system that may affect embryo implantation.

Level 2 Tests

• NK assay, TH1:TH2- intracellular cytokine ratio,
• HLADQ alpha – female
• HLADQ alpha – male
• NK assay, TH1:TH2 – for female partner only
• HLADQ alpha
• NK Assay
• Follow-up NK Assay
• TH1:TH2

Please see our Fees Page for details of fees charged for these tests