High prolactin? A bit long - but please help!

[Belle30]

Hi All

First of all, I know that if you're looking at this section then you've probably had your own horrible loss, and I'm so sorry that you're having to go through it, and maybe not for the first time. I have posted this message in the ttc section, but thought I would try here as well.

I'm back to ttc after an early miscarriage at 5 weeks, in my first pregnancy. We got pregnant in our first month of trying, which was a surprise to say the least!

Everyone is trying to reassure me that I'll probably be fine next time, but I'm a certified worrier, so am very nervous it will happen again and have been very naughty with my obsessive googling habits (stats, symptoms, recurrent miscarriage, deficiencies, imbalances, you name it....)

Anyway, I had some blood tests before ttc as I had been having some symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Thyroid function cam back in the normal range, but I just found out today (it's taken several phonecalls to my previous surgery, who told me at the time that ALL was normal) that I have elevated prolactin levels! Only 'borderline' elevated, but I'm worried that this could have caused a problem anyway. I know how common early m/c is, and if it weren't for a couple of other observations, I probably wouldn't be so worried. The thing is, over the last couple of years my periods have become lighter and shorter and blood doesn't seem as 'thick' (sorry if tmi!) Plus my m/c seemed a bit lighter and shorter than a normal period still! Before m/c, I had a consistent 14 day luteal phase and a regular 30-31 day cycle.

I have read about possible links between high prolactin, low progesterone and miscarriage, owing to inadequate thickening of the uterus lining - so the poor little bean can't implant properly.

Now obviously the doctors would probably just send me away and tell me to stop worrying if I mentioned this to them - they don't like self-diagnosis!

I'm putting two and two together, and probably making 5 - but does anyone know anything about this? Could there possibly be a link between AF getting lighter and shorter, me producing too much prolactin and too little progesterone, an early and surprisingly light m/c?

Any wisdom gratefully received! Thanks xx

 

[LeaArr]

I didn't want to read and run. I'm sorry I don't have any helpful advise for you. Good Luck!!

 

[Naya69]

iam quite interested in this thread..... about two months before getting pregnant my boobs started leaking milk which was a bit of a surprise due to the fact i wasnt pregnant .

so i went to my docs who transfered me to the hospital where i had my prolactin levels checked and they were just over boarder line nowt to worry about. my thyroid came back fine, my periods have always been relatively light and only last for two days may be three at the most.

the doc told me they would check it again in 6 weeks i think they said but i went on a couple of holidays then i went back to the hospital about 2 to 3 months later to have my bloods took again but i had a feeling i was pregnant so i did a test that same day and it was postive.

i never heard anything from the hospital but my boobs did stop leaking till further on in my pregnancey.

i dont know if this is any help to you but iam would love to know if anyone knows about prolactin levels .....

 

[Belle30]

Hi Naya
Yes thank you this is very helpful to me in that it gives me hope that borderline prolactin levels and light periods are not gonna stop me making a lovely baby!

I'm a bit annoyed that I had to chase my old doctor's surgery to tell me this, as there was actually a note against the result saying I should go back, although not urgently. If they had tested me again after a few weeks and found that my prolactin levels had gone down then maybe i wouldn't be worrying now that the levels played some part in my m/c.

I have never had leaky boobs though... I'm glad to hear yours stopped until later on!

I will try not to worry too much about this prolactin thing - I have read that elevated levels can also be caused by emotional stress - and I have suffered with that for quite a few months now for various reasons, so I'm going to try to find ways to calm down a little bit, and hopefully grow a strong sticky bean next time...

xx

 

[Naya69]

you will get there in the end

 

[gidget9707]

I just wanted to share that high prolactin can and does affect the ability to get pregnant because prolactin supresses LH making it difficult or sometimes impossible to ovulate. I have super-high levels (in the 200s) when not treated. I was diagnosed with a benign pituitary tumor when I was 16 years old and I have been taking the drug bromocriptine (also called Parlodel) ever since.

That being said, I have a beautiful 2-year-old daughter so trust me the drugs work if you need them.

I would talk to your doctor about getting referred to an endocrynologist to determine if you have a prolactin issue.

Hope that helps.

 

[Belle30]

Thanks Gidget

I'm actually pretty sure that I ovulate every month (or most months), and we got pregnant in our first month of ttc, which indicates that a slightly elevated prolactin level is not causing problems in that respect. I was wondering if it could have had any impact on my ability to sustain the pregnancy (i.e. if it had any role in my m/c). But as I said it was only 'borderline' raised, and it seems this may have been due to stress more than anything else. I might raise it with my doctor when I see her next, but for the time being I'm trying not to worry about it as we obviously can get pregnant with no trouble. And if I keep stressing over it it will probably just keep it raised!

Thanks again, and good luck xx

 

[summergal]

Hi Belle, I read your post and had to reply. Your symptoms are so similar to mine. And, first of all, I am sorry for your loss.

I have had light periods since getting the mirena removed over 3 years ago. Multiple docs and FEs all say it's not related to mirena. My periods are lighter than they were before my first pregnancy, and after the first pregnancy (successful, so I know I can carry to term), but light after mirena and they never returned to normal.

I've had 3 miscarriages and as much as each one has totally sucked, I am more frustrated on what hasn't worked and that all my docs have ignored my light periods as a symptom until now. My 1st mc was at 12 weeks (started spotting the day before the US where we should have seen the heartbeat), second mc was around 7 weeks (started spotting at 6 weeks, but still a heartbeat at first, then steadily progressed with spotting and growth stopped; not enough tissue for a culture sample for genetics testing), and third mc was at around 8 weeks (no heartbeat seen at 6 weeks). I'm sharing this detail in case any of your symptoms might have been the same, or in case other posters have had prolactin issues and mcs.

Me and DH met with a genetics counselor and high risk pg doctor last week, after the test from our 3rd mc revealed a chromosome issue. I think it was a fluke and don't think our issue is genetics or chromosome related for the other 2 mcs. Anyway, the high risk pg doc suggested I go back to my OB for additional testing, including prolactin, thyroid, and insulin/diabetes. Ive already had the diabetes testing and I'm clear, but OB did the blood draw for prolactin and thyroid and I'm waiting on results. Neither doc thinks its a prolactin issue, since I'm not having any milk discharge from the breasts, but when I read your post about the light periods, I had to check and see how things are going with you. Were you definitely diagnosed? Are you on meds now? And, are you PG again yet?

In my heart and gut, I know my light periods are related to the multiple miscarriages. And I'm not ready to give up until I hold another baby of my own in my arms.

 

[sk100]

Hi

I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma in 2006. I had milk from boobs, very bad headaches and mid-cycle bleeding. My prolatin came back high and I was sent for an MRI brain scan which showed a small benign tumour on my pituitary gland. This is what causes excess prolactin.

I was given dostinex/cabergoline tablets to control it and subsequent scans showed tumour had shrunk and levels had come down. I became pregnant last year and had my daughter in April, who sadly passed away. I have just had a MC.

A few days before I found out I was preg 2nd time, I had my progesterone tested and it came back high - doc didn't know I was preg but was surprised at the high level and then told me later it was high enough to sustain pregnancy.

I have been reading about the link between prolactin and MC and the evidence is not very strong. I agree with previous poster that prolactin supresses ovulation hormones but it should not affect pregnancy (prolactin naturally rises in pregnancy anyway to get you ready for milk production).

As you are boderline, docs may not give you tablets. I was boderline after my 1st preg and consultant said I didn't need tablets. I took them anyway because I didn't want my prolactin interfering with ovulation. I became pregnant again after 3 cycles. The tablets are supposed to really help with fertility.

I really don't believe prolactin had anything to dowith my MC. I think it may be a clotting disorder but am waiting for confirmation.

Let me know if you have any question. Don't worry as it is very easy to control.

xxx

 

[lw0619]

I just wanted to share that high prolactin can and does affect the ability to get pregnant because prolactin supresses LH making it difficult or sometimes impossible to ovulate. I have super-high levels (in the 200s) when not treated. I was diagnosed with a benign pituitary tumor when I was 16 years old and I have been taking the drug bromocriptine (also called Parlodel) ever since.

That being said, I have a beautiful 2-year-old daughter so trust me the drugs work if you need them.

I would talk to your doctor about getting referred to an endocrynologist to determine if you have a prolactin issue.

Hope that helps.

gidget9707- i came across an old post from you about your high prolactin level. i am ttc and have experienced the same as you...prolactin levels in the 200s without treatment, been taking bromocriptine for a while now, benign pituitary tumor as well. I see that you were able to conceive. I just wondered if you underwent fertility treatments, how long it took you to get pregnant, etc? If you dont mind sharing, I would love to hear from someone who seems to have the exact same problem as me but was able to conceive. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[mohini12]

hi ladies
i am new here.ive prolectinoma dignosed in 2006 after my 1st miscarrige.ive had 6recurrent losses.ive 6recurrent losses no live birth .taking bromocriptine or cabrgoline from last 5years.my prolectine level always remain high more than 60.some dr.think prolectinoma may the reson of recurrent losses while other said not nd testedssserry.my all other blood test found normal lap,hyst revealed no problm.i am totally confused and sad .i really want a baby.please ladies give some hope. thanks

 

[lw0619]

i wish i could give you a success story right now, but i didnt want to read and run. if youve read through the thread then you saw that i commented about having a high prolactin level as well. mine always stays high too...again never lower than 60 like you! it gives me hope however that you got pregnant, as i am ttc. but i am terribly sorry to hear of your losses. Youre saying that some doctors are telling you different things. Have you been to a FS or an endocrinologist? maybe you can find one doctor you are comfortable with and they can get to know you and what your body/hormones are doing and can give you a more definite answer. i have a friend that had 5 m/c and they could not give her a definite reason as to why it kept happening. She has recently given birth to her first son, so it CAN happen. try not give up and keep the faith. were all here to listen and if you have any questions, will do our best to answer them. GL and i hope this gave you the hope you were looking for!

 

[mohini12]

thanks for reply and supportive attitute.i am conslting an ando doctor and gyne also.my ando said prolectine is reson for infertility only.but my gyene are wh not sure.some adviced to contnue bromocriptin during pregnacy other said no to continue it.if anyone experience of bromocritin during pregnacy??is medicine safe in pregnacy?

 

[lw0619]

no problem!! thats what were here for! i take bromocriptine and my FS said i could keep taking it until i found out i was pregnant. at that point he would take me off. GL

 

[mohini12]

hi
when you started brom ?your present size of tumor?and what the total dose of bromyou are takng in a day .i am taking 10mg of bromocription daily but i feel very uncofortable like vomit nousea with it .i wainting for the day when i have a baby and i stop taking brom.

 

[lw0619]

i started bromocriptine the beginning of this year, i believe. its been a while. im on 15mg a day. i take it at night so i dont feel the side effects...but really, i have never experienced any while taking these meds. im not sure of the size of my tumor. after 3 years of mri's, it wasnt growing so i havent done anymore. GL!

 

[mohini12]

15mg is really very high dose.any way goodluck for your scan.and dont feel nervous .may God fullfill your wish.goodluck

 

[mohini12]

hi again
i read you are not ovulate at all even with pregnacy pill because of prolectinoma.i want to tell you when i started bromocriptine after 1 year i started ovulate easly with letrozole even once i conceived naturally only on bromocriptine.but now i cant wait any more for natural ovulation because i am of 31now and ttc as early as possible.so i had a appointmant yesterday with my ob for pregnacy plan .she decide for i.u.i this time.you want to know about i.u.i its a procedure directlly a washed sperm put into cervix at the time of ovution.and for ovulution i started letrozole from day 3rd.when i tried first ti me for pregnacy egg size was also not more than 10mm with letrazole then after 4or5cycle its size is 20mm.so its improve continues increase dose of pregnacy pills.so please dont worry you ovulate soon with normal size eggs.whats your prolectine level now?

 

[aisha54211]

Hello

Just wondered if anyone could help me please.

I have had results recently for recurrent miscarriage, three so far. The nurse said all looked fine with the results however someone I showed my results to pointed out that my prolactin level was a bit high. My prolactin was at 430?

I have tried to research what is normal ranges and have seemed to find that there are two ways the levels can be calculated (in ml or ng etc) To be honest I'm quite confused! My other results were FSH at 7.3, LH at 6.3, oestradiol at 96 and prolactin at 430.

Hope anyone could offer me any advice, you all seem to know far more than me about this. Thanks so much in advance.

Aisha

 

[lw0619]

Hello

Just wondered if anyone could help me please.

I have had results recently for recurrent miscarriage, three so far. The nurse said all looked fine with the results however someone I showed my results to pointed out that my prolactin level was a bit high. My prolactin was at 430?

I have tried to research what is normal ranges and have seemed to find that there are two ways the levels can be calculated (in ml or ng etc) To be honest I'm quite confused! My other results were FSH at 7.3, LH at 6.3, oestradiol at 96 and prolactin at 430.

Hope anyone could offer me any advice, you all seem to know far more than me about this. Thanks so much in advance.

Aisha

hello aisha! Im not sure as far as how the levels are actually calculated, but i can tell you this... I have always been told that a normal prolactin level is around 5-7. So if your levels are at 430, then that is definitely high. my levels range from 60-200s. They can go as high as in the thousands. Im not sure about the other results you mentioned, but i thought i would comment since i have elevated prolactin levels myself. However, I do not ovulate or have periods due to my prolactin level. so the fact that you CAN get pregnant is encouraging, but i am terribly sorry to hear of your losses. Again, maybe the way your levels are being calculated (as far as ml or ng) is not the same as how mine are calculated. I would assume that if a nurse saw levels that high they would let you know if it is abnormal, but maybe they didnt know to look? Let me also warn you that if you start doing research about elevated prolactin, you may see something about a "tumor on the pituitary gland". Do not be too alarmed! They are commonly benign and you might end up having an MRI to check it out if your experience is anything like mine. I hope this helps a little. Please keep us updated about what you find out! but i would definitely ask about those levels