Tip For Those Trying To Conceive

I realize there are numerous infertility causes.  However, a moderately elevated Prolactin level should be explored and treated - not overlooked.  I spent a year and a half with several different ob/gyn's and fertility specialists, running numerous tests.  They kept throwing up their hands, saying they couldn't find anything wrong.  My blood test for Prolactin came back slightly high.  Two seperate sets of doctors ordered repeat tests for several months, then dropped the ball and did absolutely nothing.  The lab shows a normal range of 3-20 and my results were as low as 22 and as high as 28.  Each doctor called these levels "insignificant".  I am the one who INSISTED they keep on top of this, and got them to prescribe me Parlodel to lower it.  My first full cycle after begining Parlodel, I got pregnant.  I've since found testimony on the web from lots of women, that slightly moderated Prolactin can indeed cause infertility, and Parlodel is almost always responsible for restoring it.  

Good luck!

[HopeinAl]

This is interesting... can you tell me what prolactin is and what it does. I don't know too much about this stuff thanks. di dyou know somehow that your was off, or did the test tell you? Hope

[Suze-ee]

My prolactin level was checked right off the bat, among the barrage of blood tests they gave me, in course of looking for fertility problems.  Prolactin is a hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland in your brain.  You can secrete elevated amounts of this hormone if you have a pituitary tumor, if you're under a lot of stress, or on certain medications.  Prolactin is important because, at the right levels, it interacts with your other hormones during ovulation.  So if the level is off just a little, it can throw off all the other hormones just enough so that your ovulation doesn't go exactly the way it should.   Some people do not ovulate at all because their prolactin level is very high - if they go on Parlodel, it will help them resume ovulating.  My level was barely raised - I have been ovulating regularly, but obvioulsy it wasn't going the way it needed in order for me to conceive.  Prior to the medication I would have sex within hours of ovulating and not get pregnant.  Once on the medication, I had sex four days before I ovulated and got pregnant.

[HopeinAl]

Well thank you for the tip. I did  get mine checked Tues. at my appointment, so i guess i will see. But if it's only off a little, i'm going your route and getting the medicine also. I should know next week when all my labs come back. Hope

[Casey1]

Prolactin the hormone that stimulates breast milk production.  What an interesting story Suze-ee!  I'm certainly glad YOU were presistent!  We are most certainly our own best advocates.

[Suze-ee]

Hi Hope! I read your bio on the site - looks like you are able to get pregnant, but not carry to term.  I thik the prolactin is only a factor for people who are unable to get pregnant.  Oh I can't IMAGINE what you've gone through!  After trying so hard to get pregnant, I remember thinking - I'd rather get pregnant and miscarry, just so I can feel that happiness for a day or two.  Well, I'll tell you now that I'm pregnant I hope that doesn't come true!!  It just shows how desperate we all get trying to get a little one.  I really wish you luck.  I hope they find out what's wrong and correct it before you have to go through another miscarriage.  Susan
BTW - I have relatives in a Birmingham suburb!  (I forgot the name of it - I think it starts with an "S")