Q: My 23 years old wife has a history of spontaneous abortions (4 times). Her karyotype test, karyotype test of products of conception, anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant and TORCH test results were normal. My karyotype test report said the patient is a carrier of balanced translocation between the lower arm of chromosome 1 and lower arm of chromosome 2. The translocation event has not altered the total DNA content of the cell. Hence, the patient is expected to be phenotypically normal. However, the probability of conception not taking place or resulting in pregnancy loss is high. My testosterone is 2.73 ng/ml and TSH-3rd generation is 11.98 uIU/ml. Are my TSH and low testosterone levels creating problem?

A:The problem of the balanced translocation is not due to the low testosterone or hypothyroidism. Recurrent spontaneous abortions may be due to the balanced translocation, which is your genetic make-up. This usually does not cause other problems but has been implicated in recurrent spontaneous abortions. If it is acceptable to you and your wife and you do want to have a child you can discuss options of donor insemination with an infertility specialist.