Results for Free T4 been in the region of 11 and updated THS is 3.2 mu/L. I asked the doctor whether low T4 could suggest pituitary issue and was told indefinitely no. Menopause was blamed for all the symptoms I’ve been getting and told to basically get on with it.
Did my own Prolactin test as I wasn’t happy with the doctors answer and it came back as 972.0mlU/L out of range of (102 - 496 mlU/L).
Does anyone else have these results and all the hypothyroidism symptoms?
I originally had low Ferritin and Vit D but have been taking supplements for the last 4 months.
Should I speak to the doctor again? Any advice please 🙏🏽
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OnTheCusp33
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From what I've read about this, it doesn't seem that you have a benign tumour on the pituitary gland that might have caused this. Prolactin levels are over 7 times as high as normal in this case. Studies have found that glucose insensitivity leads to high prolactin levels due to increased fatty acid levels, low insulin receptors, or complications with insulin binding. Avoid over-consuming sugary drinks, processed foods, and foods that are high in sugar.
ah ok so might just be slightly elevated but no cause for concern. I don’t eat sugar and eat super healthy so I can’t see glucose would be an issue for me.
I had high prolactin when I was eventually diagnosed hypothyroid. I was post menopause, although I strongly suspect my abrupt menopause was due to being severely hypo at the time. Prolactin normalised with adequate treatment for thyroid.
Interesting that you say that: I’ve too been wondering whether my abrupt, relatively early ‘menopause’ was actually due to hypothyroidism. I haven’t had any relief through HRT.
My GP put me on oestrogen patches, but I stopped using them after a week because I felt even worse. With hindsight, I think increasing my oestrogen at the same time as starting levo was a bad move. GP was trying to help me feel better but I soon realised he didn't have much clue about 'female' issues. Not that the female GP at the surgery did either!
I hit menopause fairly early too (perimenopausal at around 45 I think), had hashimoto's for years but have only just been able to get treatment - it does seem to be a "thing" (along with all the other "things")
I recently had my hormones tested (via Randox) and my prolactin was elevated (772 mIU/l in a range of 102-496). The accompanying info says high prolactin (outside of pregnancy/breastfeeding) is associated with an often benign growth on pituitary gland or can be due to ‘polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism and use of certain medications’. It goes on to add that ‘recent stress, exercise and anxiety can also cause moderate increases’.
My hypothyroidism is not yet under control - I’m exploring yet another treatment regime and keeping other things in mind (eg cortisol) - so I’m hopeful that the prolactin will normalise once I get things stabilised. Fingers crossed.
Have the doctors checked the high prolactin to find the cause? My doctors seem hell bent on telling me I’m making it all up and that it’s just aging!?!?!
I haven’t bothered to mention it them to be honest. It was literally last week that the results came back and, since there’s a strong correlation with hypothyroidism, am planning to try and stabilise that then test the hormones again at some point. I’m not under GP care for hypothyroidism because my levels don’t suit their parameters 🙃
I had high prolactin at diagnosis, it is commonly found in hypothyroidism.
yes and your ft4 is far too low. Get the thyroid UK approved list of practitioners and find someone from that list, some doctors are willing to listen to symptoms on that list x
Alfie cakes there are a variety of ranges in the UK for TSH, ft4 and ft3. The ranges are set by the laboratory equipment used calibrated to reflect the local population. So we need to know the ranges for everyone's results. Also if a lab updates it's equipment the ranges can change so even in the same area we need to keep our eye on the ranges that come with our tests results.
So you don’t currently have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism? Scores of people on this forum don’t have a formal diagnosis but are sufficiently confident that, based on symptoms, blood test results (usually private) and the absolute wealth of knowledge and wisdom shared here that they are indeed suffering from some sort of thyroid disorder. Many of us choose to self-treat.
Your doctor sounds very similar to mine! I've had bottom of the range FT4 for many years and for nearly the last two years below range. I was unaware of my low FT4 levels till I got online access to my test results and was shocked that I wasn't made aware of this.
Despite being symptomatic I was continually told to go away that I didn't have a thyroid problem. But I kept on pushing and wrote firm but polite letters to the practice manager and the gp till I eventually got a referral to an endo. Very difficult to do when you feel so unwell.
Obviously I'm not saying that this is your problem! But I was found to have a suspicious nodule and had a partial thyroidectomy and am now on levo. Though I still don't have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism! (I'm still told that low FT4 is my normal)
I'd try speaking to another GP if there is one at your surgery. If they aren't much help is it possible to change to a different surgery?
If changing surgery's isn't possible I would write a polite but firm letter to the practice manager (get their name from the surgery website if you don't already know it) and another to your GP. Outline what your concerns and symptoms are and what you want them to do about it. Keep it short and polite but refer to research to back up your concerns.
I'd also screen shot or copy any blood results that show low range FT4 levels before sending letters in as the blood results could possibly disappear from your patient record (mine mysteriously did)
It makes you feel even worse when you're disbelieved and you even start to question if you are making it all up but you're not! I was a wreck trying to deal with the attitude of my GP so I now avoid him and deal with new trainee medical student GP's that come to work at the practice as I'm not able to change surgery's at the moment.
100% this is how I feel. I have been sleeping non stop since Christmas and need a minimum 10 hours sleep a night just to function. Have had awful weight gain and can’t lost a lb no matter what I do. I have brain fog, cold hands and feet and higher than normal blood pressure even though I’ve always had low blood pressure. I take B12 Iron and D. Which has helped. I explained that I stopped drinking and eat literally nothing but salads and fish and very healthy meals. Yet I get looked at like I’m lying! She even shrugged and did a little laugh? I mean really??? It seems like a diagnosis is such a fight. She wouldn’t refer me to endo and just said it’s probably still menopause. I’ve spent sooooo much money on private tests. My red blood cells were enlarged yet nobody discusses this either or what that could indicate?
I am amazed that so many people are suffering and the medical professional just shrug it off. If they don’t know what’s going on they should be referring us to people that do!
I know how hard it is to deal with when you're feeling unwell.
Although I managed to get a referral to an endo I never actually got to see him but other members of his team. I had lots of pituitary and other tests done including two morning cortisol ones. After being physically examined they found the suspicious nodule and I went on to have a partial thyroidectomy.
Unfortunately the endo clinic cancelled my 2nd appointment a few days before my surgery. So I'm still waiting for another appointment but my surgeon said she's trying to get me back on his list so may get another one soon. My FT4 levels are still low but at least now just in range.
As I suggested before I would write to the surgery outlining your concerns and how you'd like them to help. It worked for me.
I will. Thank you 🙏🏽 I am trying another GP first but if not I will definitely write to the practice. Thank you for sharing your story! It’s good to know persistence works.
My story is similar, I did manage to get treated finally by a private GP (PM if you'd like details), also I was lucky in that my antibodies were high when I took the blood test. I think if I knew what I know now I'd *maybe* just self treat but it is good having a sensible GP to talk to. Makes me mad we have to go to these lengths! Best of luck
When thyroid hormone levels are low reduced feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary lead to an increase in TRH and TSH. TRH stimulates the thyrotrophs in the pituitary to secrete TSH and the lactotrophs to secrete prolactin. Hence elevated prolactin is a sign of hypothyroidism, although it can be elevated for a number of other reasons.
Also watching this thread with interest... thank you for brining it up!
I recently had the Medichecks "Ultimate Performance Blood Test" (some results from which I have already posted previously). In that test my prolactin level came back as 1,972 (!!!) range: 102 - 496.
I think my problem was compounded by over-dosing with HRT Oestrogel - in discussion with the Clinical Pharmacist (I didn't just do it on my own) - in an effort to combat the exhaustion/fatigue symptoms (post menopause, age 52). My oestradiol was 1,028, range: 0 - 505... so I've immediately reduced from three pumps to two. This has caused other issues that I do need to speak to my GP about, and will mention both the prolactin and oestrogen levels to her.
I'm hoping the same a few folks have mentioned, that the raised prolactin is, in part, due to the as yet uncontrolled AITD.
If you hold basic understanding of thyroid physiology you will know the hypothalamus produces TRH to signal the pituitary to produce TSH to signal the thyroid gland to release more thyroid hormone, which then signals back to the hypothalamus there is enough, until there isn’t and the process sorts again.
TRH also stimulates prolactin so when we are long term undiagnoised or under medicated and these endocrine systems are on full alert, the stimulatory effect can forget to turn off.
Elevated prolactin is common in women with hypothyroidism and you should take these results to your GP, as they indicate you are either remain under medicated or there is a pituitary problem and other hormones will need investing.
I had a benign pituitary tumour with elevated prolactin (this was how it was initially investigated). There are many types of pituitary tumour; some release hormones so if it was a prolactinoma (prolactin releasing) you would expect readings in the 10s of thousands. However others, such as mine, don’t release any hormones but their presence on the gland causes it to malfunction; hence the odd pituitary hormone levels. At their highest my prolactin levels were only ever in their 1000s. I am not saying this to worry you as I am sure the high levels are related to being hypothyroid but I would certainly bring this up to the GP.
When I was perimenopausal, I began to lactate out of the blue – terrible shock when the doctor told me she thought I had a prolactinoma. It turned out it was caused by my taking the supplement Agnus Castus for my menopause symptoms! Just thought I’d mention it in case you were taking anything like this, it’s amazing how much herbal supplements can affect you. The symptoms went away as soon as I stopped taking the Agnus Castus. In the meantime I was sent to an endocrinologist who also told me that it could be caused by taking antihistamines.
interesting that some on here have said high prolactin can be caused by hypothyroidism I was reading Dr Hertoghe’s book on testosterone and he said high prolactin can be caused by hyperthyroidism , yes hyper . Also high estrogen. I think he was talking about men but can’t imagine it would be different because of gender. I wonder which is correct?
I had similar test results, although my prolactin was 3 times the norm. Had to take am MRI to confirm the microadenoma of the pituitary. Been taking Cabergoline for a few years. It helped. I would definitely suggest an MRI in your case if it is an option. Just for the sake of your peace of mind.
Just wondering whether you’re currently on HRT? I know your dr seems intent on attributing your symptoms to the menopause but I couldn’t work out whether you were actually on HRT….
OK, other than a Prolactin secreting tumor, if Prolactin is high that's a good marker for your tissue storage estrogen being high. Estrogen is anti-thyroid. If you are a woman, you need to look into ways to lower estrogen, one of which is bioidentical progesterone supplementation during your luteal phase. Please do some research. Ideal prolactin levels are somewhere between 10 and 12.
does that mean if I’m taking HRT it’s making the prolactin levels worse? I take the combined patches where I have the estradiol for 2 weeks then the combined patch for another 2 weeks.
I mean, I would never recommend taking estradiol without progesterone, ever. I hesitate to give you direct advice as I am not your healthcare provider but I would do some serious research into things. I think the estradiol you're on could be what's making your prolactin really high, and yes, that's anti-thyroid.
Well yeah, estradiol isn't the only reason for elevated prolactin, but elevated prolactin generally means an excess of tissue storage estrogen, which isn't tested for with blood estradiol tests (that only tests the estradiol in the serum). Tissue stored estrogen can be 5 to 20 times what's showing in the blood, and since prolactin raises in lockstep with it, we use that test as a stand-in.
My teenaged son (who was not particularly hypothyroid) once had an off the charts prolactin count which showed up on a routine blood test.
Although our GP didn't see any cause for alarm, the thought of my son becoming a wet nurse for motherless babies worried ME big time!
At the same time, I worked as a medical secretary at a breast cancer diagnostic clinic.
I noticed that more and more young men and boys were being referred to our clinic for breast cancer screening due to the sudden appearance of enlarged breast tissue unrelated to the amount of general body fat . It seemed very weird to me.
I knew that men also get breast cancer - and many came to have a lump biopsied. But none of the ones diagnosed with cancer had actual boobs.
The radiologists usually diagnosed them with gynecomastia - ( enlarged male breast tissue).
Aside from ordering blood tests for prolactin levels, the "experts" offered no treatment recommendation for the condition nor any explanation of how it happened in the first place.
Being a Curious George type, I decided to stick around after hours and compare the intake records of other patients with the same condition to see if I could find any clues as to why otherwise healthy, cancer free males would need to wear a bra.
It did not take long for me to see the common thread: all of the males diagnosed with gynecomastia were also taking anti psychotic meds like RISPERDAL , OLANZEPINE and other marvelous psych meds with black box warnings. That also explained why my son's prolactin levels were so high - he was prescribed RISPERDAL. (Shortly afterward, I made sure he was weaned off all psych meds)
Long story longer- high prolactin levels are only one of the dozens of nasty side effects associated with most anti depressant / anti psychotic medicines. It's no big secret either.
Anyone who cares to read the long list of warnings and possible deadly side effects listed on every box of psych candy can see that for themselves.
It's downright criminal that the job of screening the safety of psych meds falls on the patient and not on the shrink who gives them out like candy. 😡
the doctor has suggested it might be down to my antidepressant so am coming off this and HRT to retest and see what that does! Fingers crossed is just down to medication!
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