Elevated prolactin levels

[taylorxx]

Hey girls. It's been quite awhile since I've been on BNB (very very very busy at the moment), noticed the layouts different! I just found out I have abnormally high prolactin levels (54.3). The normal is 10-20, with anything under 10 is perfect, 20-25 is borderline high. I originally thought it was my thyroid, but that checked out "okay". My doctor also said he thinks that's why I had two chemical pregnancies as it can effect implantation. I seem to ovulate every cycle (going by charting temp & opks), but I can be quite irregular. I have a normal LP of 14 days this last cycle being 12, which is odd.. but I'm not sure if I ovulated. I didn't use OPKs and I temped a few times around suspected ovulation (ewcm,etc) & around what I believe was 8dpo I was in my post o temps. So I'm pretty sure I ovulated. Anyways that's besides the point..

I've been doing a ton of googling and haven't found too much information about this and I'm worrying myself sick. I'm going to see a specialist to run more tests and get other hormones tested. I'm so worried I'll never be able to have a successful pregnancy and it just kills me

Does anyone know what the treatment is for this? What are the common causes of high prolactin? Can anybody share their experiences with high prolactin? Any advice or opinions are greatly appreciated.



Hope everyone is well lots of sticky baby dust xx

 

[Lisa92881]

Hmm, well all I know is this....

After I got my bloodwork I was chatting with the doctor about the results, and she said "Wait, there's one thing I'm not sure if we checked....", then she looked back at my bloodwork and I guess saw that Prolactin was checked....and she said "Oh darn, that's the easiest one to fix".

So, just a little good news for you. Stop Googling -- you'll drive yourself nuts!! (Says the one who was just Googling "Provera" )

 

[taylorxx]

Thank you so much! Googling can be trouble lol I sure hope it's easy to fix, I'm just worried about what could possibly be causing it ykwim? I'm calling tomorrow to make an appointment so hopefully it won't be too long so I can figure out whats going on. Thanks again lots of sticky baby dust xx

 

[Lisa92881]

Yeah, I hear ya. I'm the same way....but WHY aren't I ovulating?!?!?! Hahaha! Good luck tomorrow.

 

[jeoestreich]

Good luck! I hope you find your answers!

 

[DancinEmr]

My TTC friend tried for two years before finding out she had high prolactin levels. Her level was 31. Her doctor told her that anything between 5-30 was normal. Since her's was borderline high, and she hadn't conceived in 2 years, they put her on some meds. In two doses, her prolactin level was 5! That was two months ago, and she still has not conceived...but she is hopeful!

 

[Miaowzen]

Hi taylorxx! Prolactin can be lowered with a low carbohydrate diet and reduced stress. It is associated with insulin sensitivity and blood sugar disturbances

 

[CuddleBunny]

Good luck Taylor!

 

[Bunnylicious]

Before my IUI, my doctor checked my thyroid and prolactin level.
My thyroid result was normal, but prolactin was 23, just slightly elevated.
She prescribed me Bromocriptine to lower it.

 

[nevernormal]

Agnus castus is supposed to help balance out all of the hormone levels to where they should be, including prolactin. Also, B6 (which should be taken in a B complex) has been shown to reduce prolactin levels.

But I'm sure the doctor will have suggestions for it as well. I hope it gets sorted out soon

 

[itsy.bitsy]

did your doctor order an MRI? i have always had elevated prolactin and milky discharge from my nipples. a common cause is a non cancerous tumor on your pituitary gland. Not harmful and can be treated with medication. My scan was clear but a large percentage of the population has it at one time or another. I have been told its not harmful when your pregnant as your prolactin raises quickly in the first few weeks.
Mine they think has come along with pcos as its only elevated not high. Good luck i hope you get an answer soon

 

[Stardust1]

I have a prolactinoma, benign tomour on the pituitary gland, which I've had for at least 20 years that they know of. My prolactin levels have been through the roof at various times in my adult life and I've unfortunately been left with osteopenia because the raised prolactin reduces my eostogen levels. I've been on cabergoline for years and years and it controls my levels nicely. Plus I have a very lovely 11 year old son. My fs and endocrinologist aren't particularly concerned with my raised levels stopping mr from conceiving (been trying for 16 months now) it's more my pcos that's causing my problems.

 

[taylorxx]

Hi taylorxx! Prolactin can be lowered with a low carbohydrate diet and reduced stress. It is associated with insulin sensitivity and blood sugar disturbances

Thank you! I have a pretty healthy diet but I do tend to eat more carbs/sugar sometimes lol.. I'm going to try and change my diet and reduce my carb/sugar intake and see if that effects my next blood test results. Thanks!

 

[taylorxx]

Agnus castus is supposed to help balance out all of the hormone levels to where they should be, including prolactin. Also, B6 (which should be taken in a B complex) has been shown to reduce prolactin levels.

But I'm sure the doctor will have suggestions for it as well. I hope it gets sorted out soon

I've heard about AC helping it.. I'm going to wait and see what the doctor does and if medication doesn't help, I'll give AC a try. Thanks!

 

[taylorxx]

did your doctor order an MRI? i have always had elevated prolactin and milky discharge from my nipples. a common cause is a non cancerous tumor on your pituitary gland. Not harmful and can be treated with medication. My scan was clear but a large percentage of the population has it at one time or another. I have been told its not harmful when your pregnant as your prolactin raises quickly in the first few weeks.
Mine they think has come along with pcos as its only elevated not high. Good luck i hope you get an answer soon

No, he didn't do anything really.. He didn't seem to be concerned at all, but after some researching I found out that my levels are pretty dang high. He's a local GP in a small town near me so I'm not sure that he knows much about this type of thing. That's why I'm going to see a specialist and get things checked out. The leaky breasts started happening my 2nd month off BCP (in March 2011) and would be on and off since then. I also want to be checked for PCOS just to be sure. I just want to know if there is a tumor or not because if so, I want it treated immediately! Thank you so much for the information! I appreciate it.

 

[Leese]

did your doctor order an MRI? i have always had elevated prolactin and milky discharge from my nipples. a common cause is a non cancerous tumor on your pituitary gland. Not harmful and can be treated with medication. My scan was clear but a large percentage of the population has it at one time or another. I have been told its not harmful when your pregnant as your prolactin raises quickly in the first few weeks.
Mine they think has come along with pcos as its only elevated not high. Good luck i hope you get an answer soon

No, he didn't do anything really.. He didn't seem to be concerned at all, but after some researching I found out that my levels are pretty dang high. He's a local GP in a small town near me so I'm not sure that he knows much about this type of thing. That's why I'm going to see a specialist and get things checked out. The leaky breasts started happening my 2nd month off BCP (in March 2011) and would be on and off since then. I also want to be checked for PCOS just to be sure. I just want to know if there is a tumor or not because if so, I want it treated immediately! Thank you so much for the information! I appreciate it.

Taylor, just wanted to jump in this thread and say i seen my doctor last friday because i have had a few issues with my nipples leaking slightly when squeezed (i found this by accident as last month they were so sore i thought i was pregnant for sure and couldnt help feeling my nipples, that's when a tear drop amount of fluid came out and i panicked!).

I have a very regular 28 day cycle and basically my doctor wasnt too worried about the prolactin because he said high prolactin etc causes irregular periods or can make them stop altogether.

Are your cycles regular??

This is my 4th cycle ttc, but doctor said if i havent conceived within 6 months (January 2012) then he will do bloods and send me for a scan which puts dye in me and highlights my tubes etc to check for blocks, PCOS etc and also my OH can get a sperm test etc, so at least my GP is going to do something for me, he just wants me to relax and give it another couple of months.

I'm terrible for sugar to be honest, because i drink a lot of de-caff coffee, i've cut back a lot recently though.

L xxx

 

[tiffanyj1982]

I'm on bromocriptine because my prolactin is high I have a prolactinoma that causes mine to be high

 

[lw0619]

taylorxx...just wondering if there has been any change with your prolactin level and if youve been able to conceive? i have prolactin levels in the 200s without meds...i have been on bromocriptine for a while now and its going down, but last we checked it was still in the 90s. my level is elevated bc of a benign tumor in my pituitary gland. they diagnosed this by taking an mri. anyhow im ttc and knew it would take some time.... i do not ovulate and have never had a period on my own (only when i was on bc). i joined this forum to find others with the same problem to give me some hope of conceiving. i would love to hear if you have something new to share. hope all is well for you!

 

[Skelleron]

Hi Taylor,

I just wanted to share my experiences with you all. We started TTC #1 in June 2010 but after stopping BC I didn't get AF! After 9 months I'd put on 2 stone, still hadn't had a period, had milky discharge from my nipples, had no sex drive & regular headaches.
I had bloods tested & my prolactin was over 1300! I saw an endocrinologist & had a head MRI & abdominal & transvaginal US scans. These confirmed a benign pituitary gland tumour causing high prolactin, which in turn caused low oestrogen & progesterone, meaning I wasn't ovulating!
I was started on regular cabergoline & within 2 months I got my first AF in nearly a year. However it is now 6 months since this first AF & we are still TTC #1! I am unsure whether I should go back to my endocrinologist or find a fertility specialist now - I am 33!
Good luck to you & I hoped this helped in some way!

 

[taylorxx]

did your doctor order an MRI? i have always had elevated prolactin and milky discharge from my nipples. a common cause is a non cancerous tumor on your pituitary gland. Not harmful and can be treated with medication. My scan was clear but a large percentage of the population has it at one time or another. I have been told its not harmful when your pregnant as your prolactin raises quickly in the first few weeks.
Mine they think has come along with pcos as its only elevated not high. Good luck i hope you get an answer soon

No, he didn't do anything really.. He didn't seem to be concerned at all, but after some researching I found out that my levels are pretty dang high. He's a local GP in a small town near me so I'm not sure that he knows much about this type of thing. That's why I'm going to see a specialist and get things checked out. The leaky breasts started happening my 2nd month off BCP (in March 2011) and would be on and off since then. I also want to be checked for PCOS just to be sure. I just want to know if there is a tumor or not because if so, I want it treated immediately! Thank you so much for the information! I appreciate it.

Taylor, just wanted to jump in this thread and say i seen my doctor last friday because i have had a few issues with my nipples leaking slightly when squeezed (i found this by accident as last month they were so sore i thought i was pregnant for sure and couldnt help feeling my nipples, that's when a tear drop amount of fluid came out and i panicked!).

I have a very regular 28 day cycle and basically my doctor wasnt too worried about the prolactin because he said high prolactin etc causes irregular periods or can make them stop altogether.

Are your cycles regular??

This is my 4th cycle ttc, but doctor said if i havent conceived within 6 months (January 2012) then he will do bloods and send me for a scan which puts dye in me and highlights my tubes etc to check for blocks, PCOS etc and also my OH can get a sperm test etc, so at least my GP is going to do something for me, he just wants me to relax and give it another couple of months.

I'm terrible for sugar to be honest, because i drink a lot of de-caff coffee, i've cut back a lot recently though.

L xxx

If I don't take soy isoflavones they can be very irregular and long. It's weird, it's like soy isoflavones lower my prolactin because when I take it, I don't get the discharge. If you're ovulating and have regular cycles, it's probably nothing to worry about. Your levels may be elevated a bit which can be caused from stress and certain medications. I wouldn't worry about it unless your cycles become irregular. Hope you get your bfp soon xx