tell me about high prolactin levels

katlilvoce1

got a blood test yesterday for thyroid and prolactin levels...thyroid came back good...prolactin came back a little high...I'm being put on a medicine that is to be taken twice a week. does anyone know anything about this?

ADub09

I am on Bromocriptine for my high prolactin levels, but I take 2 pills daily.  It has helped my levels went from very high to normal in 1 month on the meds.  I will have to continue taking the medication until late in my pregnancy, if I ever get pregnant, and then start up again when trying to conceive for a second time.  Are you taking Bromocriptine?  Cause it has some pretty strong s/e.

Good luck to you!

saresa19

I am a total lurker, but will but in here.  Are you having a MRI to rule out a pituitary tumor as the cause?  If it is not been ordered, I would ask your doctor why not.  The pituitary is responsible for making really important hormones for reproduction -prolactin, FSH, LH, thryroid and cortisol

High prolactin makes your body think it is already pregnant or breastfeeding and is the hormone associated with making breast milk.  It can cause annovulation. 

In my case, although my levels were below 50, I was found to have a 9 mm pituitary tumor.  These types of tumors are not cancerous and they do not know what causes them.  My first cycle off the pill was 84 days and I was having nipple discharge.  I went to my gyn and she did the initial hormone testing and referred me to a regular endocrinologist.  I was put on cabergoline which is the medication I am assuming you are on, which was taken 2 times per week.  It is the stronger medication.  It had to many side effects for me (dizziness, mood swings, lack of concentration).  I switched to bromocriptine which I experience almost no side effects after the first month.  This pill is taken once daily.

You should be able to get pregnant after your prolactin levels are in the normal range.  I follow up with my endocrinologist every 3 months to be checked.  My first follow up my levels were in the normal range and last week they were the very high end of normal, so my medication is being increased after I rule out pregnancy this month. 

I am still not pregnant, but due to my endocrinologist recommendation we held off TTC for 3 months to hopefully shrink the tumor. We have actively TTC for 2 months at this time. 

I would recommend that you make sure you continue to be monitored for this over the course of time.  They should also do an MRI to check the cause of the increased prolactin. 

I really wish I would have switched medications sooner, so don't hesitate to call your doctor if the side effects are too much.  Good luck with everything!

 

PrincessIntoQueen

My prolactin levels were a little high too, but my doctor wouldn't give me anything. He's about to get dumped! What was your level?

saresa19

butting in again, my prolactin levels:

before meds:  54.2 (622/10)

after starting meds:  started with cabergoline and began bromocriptine 12.0 (8/24/10)

while taking bromocriptine: 22.4 (12/1/10)

Normal is 4.8-23.3

 

saresa19

Princess - If your doc won't give you meds, you need to make sure you are restested soon.  My doctor explained that prolactin levels can vary a lot and that you should be tested when you are fasting.  If your doctor isn't aggressive enough, I recommend finding an endocrinologist (if you aren't already seeing one) to manage your case

 

PrincessIntoQueen

Saresa- first test my level was 35.8 and then I went back a few days later (fasting) and it was 28.5. Not too high, but still high. I am planning on seeing a RE next cycle. My gyno started me on Clomid 50mg this cycle and I wanted to see how it went, however, he barely monitors me until I say something to him. Thanks for all of your help

katlilvoce1

my level was 29.8 yesterday...i wasn't fasting but I ate at 5 am and my appointment was at 7:45 am.

the dr. said that my level doesn't seem high enough right now to worry about the MRI and i'm not sercerting(sp) any nipple juice...i remember that i used to in my teen years. especially after sleeping or working out

he said that i will be monitored every month CD 2-4 preferrably which i didn't know there was a timing for it.

I'm gonna be taking the cabergoline .5 mg tablet twice a week. my pharmacy said that it is rarely prescribed so they didn't even have a full months worth. going tomorrow to get the rest 6 pills. I'm feeling nervous about this medication since I'm already taking clomid right now and then progestrone sp. later on in my cycle....i just feel like all my hormones are all screwed up hopefully the s/e aren't too much with this medication.

katlilvoce1

thanks everyone for answering more questions than i thought i had. it's nice to be able to come to these boards with questions and have ppl that are or did experience something of the same that i'm going through

Aime32

I've been battling high prolactin levels for 1 year now (diagnosed).  I started out taking cabergoline.  I responded too well to the medication and my levels became undetected.  My RE then switched me to bromocriptine and have had positive response with that.  I have blwk done every 2 month to check my levels.  My RE also didn't start me on clomid until my prolactin levels went down.  He didn't want me to take this medication if I was able to get pregnant with the help of this medication.  After about 8 months on bromocriptine my levels are now stable and I hope they stay ther.  I'm now at 6.8 and my initial level was 75.  I did not have an MRI done, but it wouldn't hurt to ask to have one.  Either way, you will still be on the same med you are on now.

For future blwk, make sure you fast and refrain from any stimulation (nipples and down there).  All this affects your levels.  My RE gives me specific instructions with this blwk: no exercising, 12 hr fasting, no sex after midnight, no breast stimulation, and to have my labs done before 10 am. 

Good Luck to you!

ADub09

According to my doctor Cabergoline is not recommended for women TTC.  But I see a lot of you are on it - interesting.