MRI and elevated Prolactin

[SarahB79]

My endocrinologist recently ordered a lot of blood tests to help figure out what is going on with me.  I am 29 years old, in the last year have gained 40 lbs when I have always been very thin and recently diagnosed type 2 diabetic.  I have purple stretch marks on my thighs, but no new marks on my stomach.  I itch a lot and have headaches. My vision has decreased and occassionally feel like it's slightly tunneled.  I get dizzy frequently.   I am often nauseous, and it occassionally wakes me up around 3 am.  

I had a child in the October 2001 and breast fed until November 2002.  I saw my gynocologist in January of 2007 with complaints of continued lactation even though I hadn't breast fed in over 4 years.  I was also having problems with ovulation pain and irregular periods.  They perscribed me birth control pills and ordered a series of test like TSH, Free T4 and prolactin.  I began the birth control pills and the lactation stopped.  I didn't equate that beginning the birth control pill was related to the the halt of lactation until about a year later.  They ordered the tests again and prolactin was normal.  My endocrinologist however suspected that I needed to be off the pill and take the test again.  After stopping birth control for 4 weeks I took a very detailed blood test and my prolactin levels were 50.5.  Lactation hasn't resumed, but my periods are irregular and my breasts are tingley, like it may begin again.  My dr. has ordered an MRI with and with out contrast.  I haven't gone for it yet...  Below are my tests (condensed some, due to how many were taken, if you'd like for me to type them all out for you, I can).  If you could help me with figuring them out that would be very helpful.  I have indicated with an H the ones that came back high. I have read a lot of articles and have found very few on the causes for mildly elevated prolactin.  I guess the MRI will tell more, but it's still helpful to have a medical opinion of what my dr. is looking for... some other possiblities than the normal prolactin secreting tumor, since my prolactin isn't really high...   Thank you in advance!

ACTH 12
creatinine, random urine 422 H
AST 40 H
ALT 67 H
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 42 H
FSH 3.9
LH 13.3
Prolactin 50.5 H
T4 Free 1.1
TSH 3rd generation 4.55 H
HCG Negative

[Carol in PA]

You said, "I have purple stretch marks on my thighs..."
It's possible that these are actually due to Bartonella, a tick borne disease.  It is considered a "co-infection" of Lyme Disease, because very often people who have Lyme also have Bartonella, Babesia, Erlichia, or mycoplasma.

When a person has a tick borne infection, it can put the endocrine glands "out of whack,"  causing the problems you described.
People with Lyme Disease and other tick borne infections often have headaches, thyroid problems, liver problems, and cysts on various organs.

Pictures of Bartonella rashes:  
http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/PhotoAlbum_RashBart.html

BARTONELLA-UKE ORGANISMS
by Joseph Burrascano
http://www.healthcentersofamerica.com/information.cfm?id=140

Wild Condor's Lyme Links
http://www.wildcondor.com/lymelinks.html

If you would like more information, just let me know.
Carol

[Loni1988]

I'm 20 (FEMALE) and I get to feeling dizzy and all the symptoms you decribed. Also my breast feel that way also and I have a lump on the left side of my breast. I have Graves Disease... Thyroid condition!!
Good luck!

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

According to your blood report the liver enzymes are elevated. There is presence of thyroid antibodies and elevated urine creatinine and serum prolactin.
The presence of thyroid peroxidase antibodies suggests the presence of autoimmune thyroid disease like graves disease and hashimotos thyroiditis.
Pituitary dysfunction and prolactin tumors can cause elevated prolactin levels.
This requires further evaluation. You can consult an endocrinologist about it.