Pituitary Microadenoma 3mm

[jake564]

Hi,
I am a male 35 who was reffered by my general doctor to see an endocrinologist due to low testosterone levels.  My original complaint was erectile disfunction.  The endocrinologist ordered another set of blood tests which showed normal or boardeline testosterone levels.  Endocrinologist now requested blood tests to check for Prolactin levels which came back at 26.  He now suggested an MRI with and without contrast.  The result: 3mm microadenoma.  Endocrinologist suggests that normaly, he would not treat it but rather monitor it.  However, since I mentioned my original complaint about eractile disfunction he would prescribe the medication Dostinex to lower Prolactin and hopefuly increase testoterone levels.  I also must note that I have been on Paxil 12.5 now for over 5 years for Generalized Anixety Disorder.  I'm a little hassitant taking medication if not a must.
Any suggestions?
Thank you in advance for any help.

[rumpled]

Calcium should never be an issue - never ever should it be abnormal!

Look up, depending of if it was high or low - hyper or hypo parathyroidism - and see how that fits.

[jake564]

Thanks again for your correct reply.  Yes, the pictures were taken wile contrast being injected. You're on the button with the rest of it.  Yes, my D was low at one point and I was prescribed high doses of vitamin D.  Now I'm taking daily. Supplements of all D's.  I believe that low- calcium was also an issue at one point but no longer a problem since I take proper supplements.  Once again, thank you for your input and please add more as you come up with more info.

[rumpled]

You had an MRI with and without contrast - but was the contrast given while pictures were taken? That is a proper protocol for pituitary tumors.

I would get your D (both forms) checked. - Did you get the copy if the dexa scan - as you could have been borderline and the docs are famous for saying you are normal even if you are just on the edge of bad. Do you ever have abnormal Calcium tests - if so, push for PTH testing.

Estrogen and testosterone play a part in bone growth and strength. That is why menopausal women start to break bones - so you need both, but in different levels than a woman. Adrenals  and the pit also play a role in androgens so test is all to find out where the issue is - the PRL can mess with other hormones - it may be the cause, but make sure other hormones are not off by themselves.

I am an endocrine nightmare....

[jake564]

Hi,
Thank you for your input especialy in regards to my GAD.  I'm not sure as to what other hormons were checked but I will discuss it with my endocrinologist.  as to you mentioning tjr "bones", here is another cufusing issue.  I broke my ankle (tib/fib) about two years ago (falling on ice), at that time I had a bone density test and it was ruled as Osteporosis, but before taking any meds, I saw a specialist who said that given my skinny posture he would NOT think that I have Opsteporosis.  In either case, I feel that the bones is an area of concern.


What do you mean by MRI "dynamic"?

[rumpled]

If you research pituitary disorders, you will find that depression is a symptom, so that odds are, if you treat the pituitary tumor, you may be able to stop taking the paxil as the GAD is probably a symptom, not something that happened on its own.

I had a prolactinoma too and it made me go bonkers. I do hope that the endo did a comprehensive set of testing (many do not) as even a teeny 3mm tumor can wreak havoc on the body's endo system. Did they test the LH, FSH, DHEA sulfate, SBGH and all the testosterones (there are many) as well as estrogen? Estrogen and testosterone convert to each other.  Also, how are your bones?

Was your MRI dynamic?