High Prolactin

[john_83]

Hi, this is a follow on from some previous posts, however I have some new results from some bloods I had done privately.

I went to see an Endo as I had a raised Tsh of 4.38, he was concerned but also wanted me to be seen for potential pituitary problems.

He wanted to check LH, FSH, Prolactin & Testostérone in addition to my thyroid.

Todays test returned the following results:

LH 6.5 IU/L (1.7 - 8.6 range)

FSH 10.1 IU/L (1.5 - 12.4 range)

Prolactin 471 mU/L (86 - 324 range)

Testosterone 16.0 nmol/L (8.64 - 29.00)

Obviously the prolactin results stand out as high given that I’m a 36 year old guy.

Symptoms are:

Brain fog

Slight headaches

Vision problems / feeling spaced out

Fertility issues

Aches and pains

Carpal Tunnel (diagnosed)

Bradycardia (diagnosed)

Potentially the prolactin is causing my hypo readings?

Going back to see my Endo tomorrow (Friday)

Thanks

John

[BadHare]

Over 500 is indicative of a pituitary tumour, though lots of other things can raise it up to that naturally. Is your endo sending you for a MRI scan to check this? Also you might need a bit more investigation of your testosterone which may cause some symptoms though I don’t know if mid-range is good or not. A relative has hypogonadism (now fine thanks to testosterone replacement). The symptoms were identical to my pituitary & hypothyroid issues, though the treatment causes temporary infertility.

[john_83 in reply to BadHare]

He has talked about an mri scan yes. Perhaps after my visit to him tomorrow night, that might be pursued.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

High prolactin is common with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto’s

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Obviously extremely common with Hashimoto’s to have slow pulse rate, carpal tunnel etc etc

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

Have you had ultrasound scan of Thyroid yet?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[john_83 in reply to SlowDragon]

I haven’t had a scan no. The endocrinologist I’m seeing privately is looking more at pituitary problems first.

[SarahJLD]

John my son saw an endocrinologist recently because he repeatedly had out of range TFT and low testosterone. He has had very low mood for years and consequently a diagnosis of depression/anxiety requiring medication. We were fed up with GP fobbing him off with offer of more anti depressants but ignoring blood results below range. At Christmas his testosterone was 6.9 (8.64-29) at age of 25.

Private endocrinologist requested a full hormone check and his prolactin came back at 523. They have discussed it could be a pituitary problem but want him to try to reduce dose of SSRI as in rare cases it can cause raised prolactin (evidently 2 cases recorded internationally) and then repeat hormone check before requesting any further tests.

My son came away from appointment happy as he was listened to and despite abnormal blood results felt that if the changes he makes don’t result in an improvement then we know where we are going.

Hope today’s appointment goes well for you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you read these on high prolactin and low testosterone

pituitary.org.uk/informatio...

urmc.rochester.edu/neurosur...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

uptodate.com/contents/high-...

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[john_83 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks so much SlowDragon

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to john_83]

And Thyroid pharmacist article interesting

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Serum B12 should be over 500

Active B12 over 70

In-depth B12 tests

nutris.viapath.co.uk/pages/...

[john_83]

Yes, I actually had a phone call with a new consultant I’m seeing via the NHS yesterday. Seems that things are beginning to move now with historic appointments, they’re gradually going to send me for all the tests. They’re going to begin with the blood tests I think the other more complicated ones and the MRI will come later if required I’m told. Thanks for asking, and fingers crossed it’ll happen soon.

[lenovo1983]

You may want to test Free Testosterone, total testosterone is no use by itself.

My Prolactin is over 1000, nothing came back on the MRI and my Endo wasn't intrested any further.