Prolactin

[BluebellPettle]

Hi guys, not sure if I am cross posting and if that is allowed but I have just has these results

prolactin level- 590mU/L (100-500) High

hosp consultant has commented that it is unlikely to be clinically significant ....

I looked symtoms up for high prolacton.... i have all bar excessive hair!

any advice gratefully received

[Parbrook]

I had a much higher level of Prolactin (it is one of the hormones that comes from the Pituitary gland).

My only symptoms were swelling and painful when touched breasts (I am a male).

Hi Prolactin is commonly caused by a Prolactinoma on the Pituitary gland, but your level does may not be sufficiently high to trigger great concerns (mine was 4 figures).

The other thing that can cause high Prolactin is a shortage of Dopamine - in my case, caused by a 9mm mass restricting the flow of Dopamine down the brain stem to the Pituitary gland.

I have regular MRI scans to see if the mass is changing. Meanwhile, I am taking Cabergoline, which brings the Prolactin level down.

[BluebellPettle in reply to Parbrook]

Thank you for your reply. I don’t know much about it to be honest and am not sure why I was tested for it. I’m sure if it’s fine then. Do you know if it can be linked in anyway to symptoms of vit b12 deficiency? Thats where most of my symptoms lay except all my bloods are coming back normal 😐 thanks for your time

[Parbrook in reply to BluebellPettle]

Sorry, I included everything that I know on high Prolactin in my reply above.

Regarding your bloods, I caution you to never accept 'normal', as this term is misleadingly used to to indicate that your level is within a reference range and not what is the optimum level for you.

Much better to get copies of your blood test results, so that others can offer suggestions you.

[BluebellPettle in reply to Parbrook]

thanks, thats ok I realise this is a different forum. I do have copies and I agree I don't think they are optimal for ME but it's getting the professionals to listen.

thank you

[Parbrook]

good luck

[BadHare]

Over 500 can be indicative of a prolactonoma. Up to 400 can be natural causes, including the stress of a hospital appointment with an uneducated endocrinologist.

I have one, & also "baby hair".

With your redults & symptoms, I'd've thought you'd have an MRI to rule out this, or other type of pitutary adenoma.

Take a look at: pituitary.org.uk/ to see if they can offer any advice.

[BluebellPettle in reply to BadHare]

Thanks for your reply. They don’t know about my symptoms as they didn’t bother to ask. The receptionist told me results were normal - it was only when I asked for a copy that I read it myself.

Just had a look at symptoms on your link and they coincide with issues that I’m having - that I’ve been thinking is possibly linked to low b12 😐

Are you being treated for prolactinomar?

[BadHare in reply to BluebellPettle]

They don't ask, they're not very interested in anything but TSH.

After my tumour diagnosis, I did a lot of reading in pathophysiology & endocrinology books. I took a symptom list from The Pituitary Foundation, then Thyroid UK, to all of my first few years' appointments, not once did they look. Whenever I mentioned associated hypothyroid symptoms, they blamed something else, & suggested I ask my GP for a referral elsewhere.

B12 & other nutrient deficiencies can exacerbate hypothyroid symptoms &/or reduce the efficacy of throid medication, but I don't think cause prolactinoma symptoms. Do you have galactorrhea?

My tumour is less than 10mm, classed as a microadenoma. They're usually not treated pharmaceutically unless they're over 10mm or have worse symptoms, or surgically, unless they're impinging on optic nerves or the internal carotid artery.