Slightly High Prolactin?

Hollowvic · September 2014

I got a phone call this morning from the nurse in my RE office with my BW results. My Thyroid level is elevated again, it was under control in July. Then she told me my Prolactin level is slightly elevated, I think she said it's at 31. So they doubled my Synthroid, but told me that they're not too concerned with the slightly high Prolactin level. Of course I immediately googled it (big mistake). I saw everything from a possible tumor to breast discharge. Does anyone else have this? Also, is there anything I should avoid, food, medications, ect with Hypothyroid? My RE didn't seem too concerned but of course my stress level just skyrocketed.

lisa89760 · September 2014

My prolactin was slightly elevated when I first got my tests done. I was at 33 I think. Then I did a fasting test and dropped down to 22, so my RE put me on some medication to bring the levels down, and within 4 weeks I was down to a normal range. I still take half of a pill of parlodel every day...but we are going to ask if that's something I need to stay on still.

The symptoms you were googling about seem to be for people with high level of prolactin...my doctor said they put me on medication just to not have prolactin be an issue. From my research, a ton of stuff can cause your prolactin levels to go up...eating, exersice, stress etc!

aves0708 · September 2014

My prolactin was also slightly high at my initial testing, I think it was 28. My RE said they sometimes see prolactin levels elevate when thyroid levels are elevated. I cut dairy out for five days and fasted before blood work and it was back within normal range. My RE wasn't worried about it at all, and attributed it to my thyroid level being off, so I would guess that when your thyroid level goes back down so will the prolacin.

BunnyBerry · September 2014

Mine was quite high, and retested high still, so I had an MRI but it showed a clear pituitary so the RE said not to treat it, I O fine anyways so he doesn't think it's interfering.

I do think that I may have the symptom of (TMI) breast discharge, there is never anything like milk but in the morning when I haven't showered in 24 hours there is often a couple flakes of dry white crust in the indents of the nipple (sorry I don't know any medical terms for that!). I've had it since high school I think and never thought anything of it, thought it was just sweat or dry skin or something. So I think with your slightly elevated numbers, you probably don't have to worry about squirting milk through your shirts, haha!

As far as a pituitary tumor...they are easily ID'ed with MRI, a small one (<1cm) would usually be treated through meds, and a larger one would often be removed surgically through the nasal cavity. I remember someone on 3T recently mentioning that they had a pituitary tumor removed, can't recall who.

Hollowvic · September 2014

@BunnyBerry‌ my RE told me that the high prolactin is most likely due to my Thyroid level being elevated, they go hand in hand. They are going to test my Thyroid in 4 weeks and she said if the Thyroid level comes down so should the Prolactin level. If not, then I have to go for an MRI, but to not worry about it. The last thing I need is a tumor, ugh!

BunnyBerry · September 2014

Hope your thyroid comes down as hoped.

Hollowvic · September 2014

@lhbphd‌ at first they put me on the generic form of Synthroid, it didn't work. Apparently some people only respond to the name brand, I'm one of them. I take my Synthroid around 6:30 am every morning and don't eat or drink for at least an hour, except water. My RE also told me to take my vitamin at night. I didn't realize how fussy this medication is, that's a good word to describe it. I just wish I knew why all of a sudden my Thyroid level went up again. My RE said it could be stress.

lebradford · September 2014

My primary diagnosis is high prolactin levels. My levels were at 101 before we started any treatment. Don't let the tumor part scare you. It sounds a lot worse than it is. I had an MRI and I do have a tumor, but even with a prolactin level of 101 my tumor was fairly small. I think it was like 5mm. Typically the only treatment needed for these small (benign!) pituitary tumors is medication. If you end up needing medication, I would recommend asking for cabergoline instead of the other medication, as it is normally tolerated much better. If you end up needing to be medicated, feel free to message me.

It is my understanding too that prolactin and TSH are fairly intertwined. My problem was kind of the opposite I guess, where my prolactin levels were causing my TSH to be slightly elevated. When I treated the prolactin, the TSH dropped to within normal ranges without additional medication. Hopefully since your TSH is being treated and your prolactin isn't too high, it will correct itself without additional medication.

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