Cytokine Levels

Hadleigh

35 Posts
Reply Cytokine Levels Posted on: Jul 31, 2011 at 1:37am
Would you mind sharing with us...what number would be to low for Cytokine levels? Also, where do you prefer ones level to be before a cycle of conception? Thanks

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
Re: Cytokine Levels Posted on: Aug 3, 2011 at 9:26pm
Hi Liz that is a very open ended question and it depends on which cytokines we are referring to and in what clinical situation the patient is in.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

hopefulMe

4 Posts
Re: Cytokine Levels Posted on: Aug 4, 2011 at 12:05am
Hi Dr. Braverman,

I'm also curious abut Lizib's question. After taking Humira my TNF levels went from 34 to 33 and then down to 27 after one round of IVIG and then after a second round of IVIG my levels were 9. During that same cycle I had a biochemical pregnancy with a very low beta. After reading the "Simponi" post below I'm wondering if my levels were not high enough.

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
Re: Cytokine Levels Posted on: Aug 4, 2011 at 12:24am
yes actually I would be concerned. It seems that you need some inflammation to create the blood vessels necessary for the embryo to implant. One of the concerns with the TNF inhibitors is just that. i.e. it may reduce the ability to "inflame" and then dampen the production of vessels necessary for implantation. I am always very careful to follow these levels and not treat with antiinflammatories when the levels are low or borderline low.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

Hadleigh

35 Posts
Reply Re: Cytokine Levels Posted on: Aug 5, 2011 at 1:58am
In relation to your last response to hopefulMe, regarding TNF levels...at what level is low or borderline low? Ideally what level would you like to see before a transfer? Thanks.

Posts
Re: Cytokine Levels Posted on: Aug 5, 2011 at 4:26pm
13 is the cutoff but I would more likely be concerned when 11 or under. with the INF gamma which is just as important Im concerned when the levels are under 5.

Hadleigh

35 Posts
Reply Re: Cytokine Levels Posted on: Oct 4, 2011 at 10:14pm
Dr. Braverman,
In the above post you said that you are concerned when the INF level is under 5. I did a transfer last Monday and I jsut got my NK and Cytokine results back that we tested last Thursday. My NKs are all in normal ranges. My concern is that my ING level came back at 4.8, my TNF level is 22.0. Prior to this cycle, my ING level was 21.0 and my TNG level was 38.2 on Aug 31st. AEB had me take an injection of Simponi and IVIG CD6, 2 days prior to transfer and again last Friday. Do you think my cycle is in danger of failing due to the INF level being at 4.8 now? My offical blood test isn't until this Friday. Today is 8dp3dt and the HPTs have been negative up to this point. I also have been on 2 mg of Dex and Lovenox since CD6. I also take fish 3000 units of fish oil.

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
Re: Cytokine Levels Posted on: Oct 6, 2011 at 1:56am
INFgamma is very important for angiogenisis and blood vessel development of the embryo.for this reason when the INFg is low I do not treat with steroids or drugs that lower INFg as this could have an effect on implantation in my opinion. But please understand that it appears they had no way of knowing your levels would come back that low as the treatments were done prior to your results coming back.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

Hadleigh

35 Posts
Reply Re: Cytokine Levels Posted on: Oct 8, 2011 at 9:00pm
Update...sadly my BETA came back <0 @ 11dp3dt. It sounds like it could have failed due the low INFg level.

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
Re: Cytokine Levels Posted on: Oct 9, 2011 at 1:34pm
possibly.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.