Well, that is good news that they are not off the charts which means that
your immune system made a good recovery post your loss. However these ARE
higher than normal and as we know, anything above normal is not A-OK by DB!
The other side to this is that the risk is now known that your numbers could
flare in pgcy, so wherever you are now it will be important to monitor you
throughout. Also, have you been taking any precautions, such as fish oil,
or had a course of antibi's? These could bring numbers down.

The CD19+5 the indicators of antibodies to hormones. Perhaps DB will want
to check that side further. I've added docs posted on this previously by
Jane for your info.

Wishing you well, Rose


Excerpts from the older version of Dr Beer's Antibodies to Hormones
and Neurotransmitters document (since been deleted)

-------------------

There are five categories of immune problems that can cause
miscarriages, infertility, implantation failures and chemical
pregnancies. Forty-five percent of women with infertility and
implantation failure or IV-ET failures are Category 5 patients. This
means that they have elevated CD 56+ cells that produce tumor
necrosis factor (a chemotherapy molecule) that either damages the
embryo, the trophoblast (placental cell) or the lining of the uterus
(decidua) shortly after the start of pregnancy. This condition has
two treatments:



• Lymphocyte immune therapy (LIT). This decreases the NK cells and
their killing power by 50% 0o and it lasts for 6 months. This works
and is the only therapy needed in 80% of the patients. (See A
consumer's for Lymphophocyte Immune Therapy.) The remainder need
Intravenous Immunoglobulin therapy IVIG (Venoglobulin S).

• IVIG. This medication is added to the test tubes in the NK assay to

determine if it decreases the natural killer cell cytotoxicity. (See A

Reproductive Immunology Patient's Guide to IVIG Treatment). A.good
result is a 50% reduction in the killing power. A bad result is no
reduction and 2% of the patients I see cannot be helped with IVIG and
they must consider surrogacy or adoption. The reduction in killing
power (cytotoxicity) of the NK cells in the test tube by IVIG is then
translated into a dose given to the patient preconception. See below.

I have learned that there are patients who require both IVIG and LIT
just by their history alone. These women fail pregnancy again even if
the NK cells are controlled in the tests if they receive only LIT.

These women have one or more of the following:

Those that have one live born child. Although this is a great
positive, it is a negative factor. 60% of first born children of
couples with secondary infertility or pregnancy losses are DQ alpha
4.1/4.1. Something about these numbers on the placenta tell the woman
that the pregnancy was a cancer and the NK cells are activated and
the uterus behaves like a "den of lions" subsequently.
Antithyroid antibodies or a history of thyroid abnormalities, either
overactive or underactive thyroid function. (See Thyroid Disorders
and and Reproductive Problems of Miscarriage, Implantation failure
and in Vitro Fertilization Failure)
Have an NK Assay that is not suppressed by IVIG.
Have antibodies to hormones or neurotransmitters.

Share DQ alpha 4.1 with their spouses.

Other women of Category 5 have activated and elevated CD 19+5+ cells.
These cells produce antibodies to the hormones FSH, HCG, estradiol
and progesterone. They also produce antibodies to neurotransmitters
which have an essential function in the follicle and the uterus
modeling them for ovulation and implantation. (See Biophysical
Profile)

The normal level of CD 19+5+ cells are 2-10%. Many women with this
problem of Category 5 have levels 30-80%.

This problem is diagnosed by either doing antibody levels from a
blood test to the hormones or skin testing the woman with the
hormones. (See Skin Test Protocol.) The antibodies to
neurotransmitters are more likely in women with a biophysical profile
score of 13 or below.

Neurotransrnitters are serotonin, endorphins and enkaphlins. they
function in many parts of our body especially the brain. Serotonin
controls the mood and keeps us happy and the endorphins and the
enkaphlins are natural opiates and pain relievers in your bodies.
They also function in the uterus. By day 13 or 14 of a normal 28 day
cycle the endorphins and the enkaphlins help prepare the uterine
lining into three zones, five layers and blood flow enters zone three
ready to nourish the embryo. Many women with elevated CD 19+5± cells
have antibodies to their own endorphins and enkaphlins and the lining
does not develop properly and behaves like Teflon when implantation
occurs.

Other women may make antibodies to their own serotonin. Serotonin is
necessary to prepare the uterine muscle for pregnancy. Some women
make antibodies to their own serotonin and this process is interfered
with. On the uterine biophysical profile one can see the uterus on day 13 or
14
contracting three times in two minutes. If this is not occurring then
the possibility is high that antibodies to serotonin exist.

There are often symptoms in women who have antibodies to serotonin
and neurotransmitters that I have learned about.



1. Fibromyalgia: achiness in the small joints and muscles usually in
the morning

2. Increasing depression that has no apparent reason Waking early in
the morning project oriented and unable to get back to sleep. I meet
many of you online at this time. You retreat to your computers and
find solace there.

3. Sweating at night especially over the chest and the breastbone.

4. Increasing PMS symptoms.

5. Increasing "bitchiness" for no apparent reasons.

6. Panic attacks including a feeling of not being able to handle the
work load that before was easy for you.

7. Bad uterine lining of less than 8 mm when tested on day 13 or 14.

8. Poor stimulation even with mega closes of Fertinex, Pergonal,
Gonal F or other drugs.

9. Hormone levels that crash in the middle of the cycle.

Yes the list is large! It is a list of complaints that many of you
have had. You hear your doctor tell you to relax, take a holiday, cut
clown your workload, try again. Comments like this really put the
problem squarely back on your shoulders and give you more guilt,
grief, anger and hopelessness. You do not have to take this.
Something is wrong if your score high on the above list!

Treatment

CD 56+ cells with killing power above 15%

Lymphocyte immune therapy x 2 separated by 4 weeks with testing for
the leukocyte antibody detection assay and the NK assay 4 weeks after
the

second LIT.

IVIG if the killing power is still over 15%. This is given in a
dosage of 25 grams on cycle day 6. 48 hours later an NK assay is
repeated to determine if the killing power is reduced to 15%. If not
another dose is given.

IVIG 25 grams--2 days of embryo transfer if IVF cycle

IVIG 25 grams with a positive pregnancy test. Testing must begin on
cycle day 23, 25, 27 and 29.

IVIG 25 grams every 3 weeks until 10 weeks of pregnancy or until the
NK Assay are lowered to 15% or below.

Elevated CD 19+5+ cells

If the skin test is positive to any of the hormones or there are
antibodies detected to neurotransmitters then the following treatment
is advocated:

• Lymphocyte immune therapy on two occasions with testing one month
after the second LIT.

• IVIG 25 grams on cycle day 6 month one.

• IVIG 25 grams on cycle dax' 6 month two

• IVIG 25 grams on cycle day 6 months three.

Begin cycle of conception:



• IVIG 25 grams cycle day 6

• IVIG 25 grams--2 day prior to ET

• IVIG 25 grams with a positive pregnancy test and every 3 weeks
until you are 10 weeks pregnancy.



-----------------------

Cat 5 Immune Problems document

Taken from : http://repro-med.net/info/cat5-3.php

Chapter 3: CD 19+5+ B Cells (2)
Problem

Normal numbers are 2 - 10%.. Women with problems have increases in
cell numbers above 10%. Produce antibodies to neurotransmitters, including
serotonin, endorphins and enkaphlans. These antibodies cause the ovaries to
be resistant to stimulation, cause a poor lining to develop, interfere with
the muscle development of the uterus, and prevent blood flow to the lining
of the uterus and muscle at the time of implantation. These antibodies can
cause depression, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, increasing PMS symptoms and
night sweats.


----------------------

Excerpt from Dr Beer's thyroid document ( since been deleted)

----------------------------

The CD 19+ 5+ cells produce antibodies to a variety of hormones
including Estradiol. FSH, LH, Progesterone and HCG. It has recently
been shown that they are Also capable of producing antibodies to
Neurotransmnitters including

Endorphins. Enkaphlins and Serotonin. These neurotransmitters are
important in ovarian and uterine function. Women with antibodies to
these neurotransmitters often stimulate poorly during an ovulation
induction cycle. Suffer premature menopause and have poor uterine
lining responses and blood flow responses to the lining of the uterus
(endometrium) as the uterus models itself for successful implantation
and pregnancy.



Mary Ann wrote:

Well, here are my results (this is nine months after my stillbirth):



On the NK assay, everything was normal except:



CD19 - 12.7; normal 2-12

CD56 - 14.9; normal 2-12

CD19+,CD5+ - 14.9; normal 5-10