***epphd***

CardsfanSM

Hey lady. Can we talk about the integrin 3 biopsy??  I saw your response to Jenny's post last night.

I have BEGGED my RE to do it. She said she can't, b/c she can't find anyone here (meaning the university/hospital she is affiliated with) who is doing the biopsy diagnostically.  If someone was, then she would do it for me.

I don't know what I'm asking really, LOL.  I know some are skeptical about it, and I get why, but I can't do another IVF (or FET) without getting it done. I do know want to compromise what appear to be very good embryos.  I am on my way to find an RE in STL that will do it for me.

Any guidance???

epphd

Hey there! 

Well first off DUH - you're not going to need another cycle anyway because you're already KU

But - to answer your question: it's just a new test and a new finding.  The idea is that the presence of that protein in the uterus at the right time is critical for implantation.  And that women that don't have it or whose levels are diminished are at greater risk of m/c or lack of implantation.  I think that in theory the lack of integrin 3 is correlated with endo - which was (I believe) one of the earlier contexts in which endometrial integrins were studied.

The sticking point (no pun intended) is that there seems to be a high "false negative" rate.  A lot of women have reduced integrin 3 but do NOT have implantation defects. Moreover, in the medical literature at least, there seems to be one major source for the integrin story - and that's the CCRM group.  Now that does NOT mean they are wrong!  It just means that they seem to be the leading voice in the discussion and there is not yet consensus.

I think the problem with the lupron down regulation protocol also is that just because a woman "converts" to integrin 3 positive it does not mean that she will become pregnant or that if she does it is due to that one molecule.

The long story short though is that the testing won't hurt and the treatment won't either, so if it MIGHT help then why not go for it? As I said to Jenny, I'm not ready to jump on the bandwagon but if this cycle doesn't work you can bet your butt I'll be asking about testing!

You've probably already seen this but there is more pro-integrin testing info at this website (one of the labs that does the test) https://www.etegritytest.com/index.php

I hope that helps a little - truth is, I still don't know much about this particular molecule

CardsfanSM

Thanks! Your explanation makes sense.  Molecule, schmolecule...just get me pregnant already:-)

 I just feel like it's something else I need to check off the list before proceeding further. Esp since we're out of pocket and seriously counting every last penny. I pushed and pushed for a lap, RE didn't think I needed it, finally she did it and they found Stage 1 endo. But I would also have been fine had they found nothing. I just needed to KNOW, ya know?!

Thanks again!!!!!!!!