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High prolctin
Just got second lot of bloods bck from doc prolactin level was 1100 compared to 1221 in the first blood test. Went to doc cause had no period for 8 weeks. Second lot of bloods were done on day 5 when I got my period. Doc is sending me for an mri scan and to see an endocrinologist. Have read that high prolactin stops your periods.
Is it normal to have a period and high prolactin level?
What can I expect to happen when I see the endocrinologist?
Also been experienceing more headaches than normal over last few months and twitching below my right eye(every day) would this show signs of a tumour?
Is it normal to have a period and high prolactin level?
What can I expect to happen when I see the endocrinologist?
Also been experienceing more headaches than normal over last few months and twitching below my right eye(every day) would this show signs of a tumour?
Hi. Appreciate the advise. Feel much better having an idea of what is to come. Am thinking positive. Hopefully I wont have to wait too long for appointment.
loonytoon
loonytoon
Hi, its possible to have high prolactin levels without a tumor, my levels were at 3000 and last time tested they were 30 i take dostinex and i see an endo once a year.
I had a scan done before i saw him and they only prescribed medication because i had no periods for 3 yrs and that isn't good for my body, i got pregnant twice when taking the dostinex as it worked almost immediately.
I find the medication works well, made me a bit dizzy and tired and still does a bit but it works well.
I hope it all works out for it.
I had a scan done before i saw him and they only prescribed medication because i had no periods for 3 yrs and that isn't good for my body, i got pregnant twice when taking the dostinex as it worked almost immediately.
I find the medication works well, made me a bit dizzy and tired and still does a bit but it works well.
I hope it all works out for it.
It is possible to have PCOS with a pituitary issue - in other words, having one does not exclude the other. I had PCOS too. With my prolactinoma, I had surgery but only because I had another tumor with it. I took meds for a while. My prolactinoma was 3mm. My other tumor was Cushing's and was larger.
Hiya-
It's a lot to digest at first isn't it? I did not have a prolactinoma. But my sis-in-law had one. Her's was small only 2-3 mm. She's been taking a low dose of Bromocriptine for 15 years. She's has had three beautiful children and has MRI's every 2 years now. As of now it does not show up on the MRI's any more.
When you see the endo he/she will explain more of this to you I hope. The endo will also probably discuss the medication route with you and order labs to test your other pituitary hormones to make sure that they are on track.
I don't know how it works in Ireland in regards to the order of things. But usually you see the endo first, then get the MRI and lab tests. Then you see the endo again to discuss the results and findings from the lab tests and MRI. They will suggest what the best course of action/s might be for you. Hopefully it is small, treatable with meds, and not causing other hormones to be off.
The good news is that this is all treatable and merely a bump in the road of life.
chin up,
Horselip
It's a lot to digest at first isn't it? I did not have a prolactinoma. But my sis-in-law had one. Her's was small only 2-3 mm. She's been taking a low dose of Bromocriptine for 15 years. She's has had three beautiful children and has MRI's every 2 years now. As of now it does not show up on the MRI's any more.
When you see the endo he/she will explain more of this to you I hope. The endo will also probably discuss the medication route with you and order labs to test your other pituitary hormones to make sure that they are on track.
I don't know how it works in Ireland in regards to the order of things. But usually you see the endo first, then get the MRI and lab tests. Then you see the endo again to discuss the results and findings from the lab tests and MRI. They will suggest what the best course of action/s might be for you. Hopefully it is small, treatable with meds, and not causing other hormones to be off.
The good news is that this is all treatable and merely a bump in the road of life.
chin up,
Horselip
Thanks rumpled. My periods as far as I consider were never normal being honest Always irregular heavy and painful. But in the last number of months I had noticed them to be getting shorter used to last 7 days now around 3-4days
The first blood tests the LH and FSH levels were 3.2 and 13.9 so doc said prob hve PCOS they were normal in the second blood test taken on 5th day of my cycle
How big was your tumour? Did they try medication first?
Thanks
Loonytoon
The first blood tests the LH and FSH levels were 3.2 and 13.9 so doc said prob hve PCOS they were normal in the second blood test taken on 5th day of my cycle
How big was your tumour? Did they try medication first?
Thanks
Loonytoon
Thanks for your reply horselip. Blood was measured at 1100mlU/l as far as I am aware. The doc said that anything under 500mlU/l would be considered normal. I am new to all this so just reading all the stuff on the net can be frightening. What does the endocrinologist do when I go to see them? Would I have an MRi done before seeing them?
Thanks
Loonytoon
Thanks
Loonytoon
On the period question - I had a prolactinoma. I had a period but it was messed up. So you can have one but it may not be normal.
Just one thing to add to Horselip - see a good eye doc, preferably a neuro-opthamologist.
Have they done thyroid testing and testing of other hormones as well?
Just one thing to add to Horselip - see a good eye doc, preferably a neuro-opthamologist.
Have they done thyroid testing and testing of other hormones as well?
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That's how I felt when i had my adenoma!
Usually you don't have periods if your prolactin is that high. But now I see that you are from Ireland. What are is the reference there? In the US it's like (20-45) so you can see how I first went WOW.
That being said the MRI is being done to see if you have a prolactinoma in your pituitary gland. Just beware that sometimes they do not show up on the MRI report especially if it is small.
Once they know what is going on with your prolactinoma size-wise and location-wise, the endo will most likely rec that you begin to take a prolactin lowering medication.
There are a few of these.
The medications will shrink the prolactinoma and bring down the levels in your blood.
The med choices are mainly Cabergaline, Dostinex (brand name) and Bromocriptine Often people will feel dizzy or tired when they start the medication. But this generally goes away with time and there are tricks like taking it at night or with a small amount of food.
If meds do not work for you, you may need to consider surgery. The surgery does have consequences and could affect the pituitary gland so that it loses function. If you do not choose a surgeon well, or if your tumor is already very large this may impact your ability to have kids.
If you have a choice for your MRI, Make sure your MRI is a proper pituitary MRI at a place where they do them a lot - it should be dynamic, with and without contrast.
Headaches are common and a twitching eye could be a side effect.
OK ask questions there are many of us around- Welcome to the club. Sorry that you find yourself here though.
Horselip