Should I ask for immune testing if I’ve just started trying to get pregnant?

When you are just beginning your conception journey, you do not need immune testing. However, you may need it if you face repeated losses, IVF failures, or unexplained infertility.

Can immune problems be completely treated?

Immune problems can only be managed to help you conceive and carry a pregnancy to full term with medicines, such as steroids, blood thinners, or immunotherapy. They cannot be cured.

Does insurance cover immune testing?

The insurance cover depends on the country and the policies. However, in most cases, advanced fertility tests, including immune testing, are not covered. Always check with your provider to confirm it before making decisions.

Do You Need Immune Testing for Fertility?

Your fertility depends on the delicate balance of your hormones, lifestyle choices, and reproductive health. All of these factors are essential to achieve optimal conditions that support conception and subsequent pregnancy.

Understanding Immune Testing in Fertility

A healthy immune system has a line of defence mechanisms to fight against harmful viruses and bacteria that may otherwise lead to infections. In rare cases, they also attack your healthy cells by mistakenly identifying them as a threat when they become overactive.

When it comes to pregnancy, your immune system responds by attacking the sperm, the embryo, or the developing baby, perceiving them as invaders. It makes it harder to conceive and maintain pregnancy for the full term.
If you experienced recurrent losses despite normal standard fertility tests, immune testing can be of great help to check for such abnormal activity in your body.

Why Might Doctors Suggest Immune Testing?

Immune testing is not a routine fertility test, so not everyone trying to conceive needs it. They are suggested by the doctor only under the following circumstances.

Recurrent miscarriages, which means losing pregnancies two or more times in a row.
Repeated IVF failures occur even when the embryos are healthy and genetically normal.
Unexplained infertility, where no clear cause has been found after routine tests.
Family history of autoimmune conditions like thyroid disorders, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Types of Immune Problems That Affect Fertility

Your doctor may confirm the following immune-related issues with the immune testing.

Autoimmune Conditions: Your immune system attacks your own body tissues when you have autoantibodies, leading to problems with ovulation or embryo development.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS): The presence of abnormal antibodies increases the risk of blood clots in this condition, which reduces the blood flow to the placenta during pregnancy.
Natural Killer (NK) Cell Activity: These cells fight infections, but in an overactive state, they may mistakenly attack embryos, potentially preventing implantation.
Cytokine Imbalance: Cytokines are chemical messengers of the immune system. An imbalance can create an inflammatory environment that will not support pregnancy.

What Does Immune Testing Involve?

Your blood sample is taken to check the presence of specific antibodies or immune cell activities during immune testing. The following tests are common.

Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test
Antiphospholipid Antibody Test
Thyroid Antibody Test
Natural Killer Cell Test

If you have any autoimmune disease, your doctor may also suggest genetic testing to confirm the diagnosis. Although these tests are simple, they can be expensive. They are reserved only for cases that clearly indicate immune system problems.

Can Immune Problems Really Stop Pregnancy?

When it comes to fertility struggles due to immune problems, the doctors have different views. Some believe your immune system can be a cause of infertility, but others do not.
Some studies suggest that immune problems are the reason for experiencing repeated miscarriages or failed IVF cycles. Thus, testing is necessary in some cases before deciding the next steps.

What Treatments Are Available If Problems Are Found?

Your doctor may suggest the following course of treatment to maintain your immune response.

Low-dose aspirin or heparin: To reduce blood clot risks in conditions like APS.
Steroids (like prednisolone): To calm an overactive immune response.
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG): Special antibodies given via drip to regulate immune activity.
Intralipid therapy: A fat-based solution that may help reduce NK cell activity.
Thyroid medication: If thyroid antibodies are affecting fertility.

These treatments are only suggested after assessing your health conditions and determining whether they will help your case.

When You May Not Need Immune Testing

Immune testing is not a requirement for couples who are just starting their conception journey or have been trying for less than a year. If you are in a similar situation, consider changing your habits by managing stress, eating healthy foods, and avoiding smoking.
You may be asked to start with fertility tests, such as hormone levels, semen analysis, and ultrasound scans.

Points to Remember

Immune testing is not a standard test for everyone and is advised for people with recurrent miscarriages, repeated IVF failures, or unexplained infertility.
The tests require your blood sample, but can still be expensive.
Treatment options are available for confirmed cases.

You may start to panic or think of all the problems when you are trying to conceive, but it is not happening. Questioning your fertility in such situations only makes sense when you are trying to find out the reason.
You can discuss immune testing with your doctor if you have experienced repeated pregnancy losses, unexplained infertility, or failed attempts at IVF despite healthy embryos.
You may not need immune testing if it has only been a few months since you started trying to conceive. Sometimes, simple habit changes and routine tests are enough to determine the cause and work on it to improve your chances of improvement.

Whether you’re trying to conceive or navigating IVF, you’re not alone. Join our supportive communities to connect, share, and find strength with others on the same journey.

FAQs on Do You Need Immune Testing for Fertility

Should I ask for immune testing if I’ve just started trying to get pregnant?
When you are just beginning your conception journey, you do not need immune testing. However, you may need it if you face repeated losses, IVF failures, or unexplained infertility.
Can immune problems be completely treated?
Immune problems can only be managed to help you conceive and carry a pregnancy to full term with medicines, such as steroids, blood thinners, or immunotherapy. They cannot be cured.
Does insurance cover immune testing?
The insurance cover depends on the country and the policies. However, in most cases, advanced fertility tests, including immune testing, are not covered. Always check with your provider to confirm it before making decisions.