prolactin

[CAB91]

hi, I have hypothyroidism and hashimotos and have just had hormones tested to find prolactin levels very high. I suffer with debilitating health anxiety so as you can imagine this has sky rocketed me in to an anxiety attack. I read online some horrible stories but also that it could be related to thyroid issues. Anyone else have high prolactin levels and can help put my mind at rest a little?’ Thank you x

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

High prolactin is relatively common with Hashimoto’s

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/915...

The incidence of hyperprolactinemia in the overt primary hypothyroid group was 42.4% and was significantly higher than in any other group with normal serum thyroxine.

frontiersin.org/journals/im...

Hyperprolactinemia was found in 20% of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease and had double the frequency among hypothyroidism patients.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum CAB91.

My GP initially diagnosed me with ‘ health anxiety’, suggested I saw a psychotherapist & offered me anti depressants. Joining this forum helped me realise that my symptoms were related to being under medicated and I followed forum advice to improve this.

Increased anxiety has been the worst symptom of having a thyroid condition for me and it is always worse if thyroid medication or key vitamins (ferritin, folate, vitamins B12 and D) are not optimal.

Do share your thyroid blood tests with us if you would like further advice.

[CAB91 in reply to Buddy195]

Hi Buddy195

I haven’t had my T3 tested yet but my TSH is 1.75 (0.35-4.94)

T4 13.5 (9-19.1)

I also have high TGAb so it’s autoimmune.

I’m just concerned about the high prolactin because all I keep seeing is the word tumour! X

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to CAB91]

As SlowDragon has advised, this could be linked to hypothyroidism. Has GP offered a retest?

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to CAB91]

Apologies, didn’t realise this was your first post

Welcome to the forum

How much levothyroxine are you taking

Was this test done as recommended, early morning, ideally before 9am, only drinking water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Free T4 (fT4) 13.5 pmol/L (9 - 19.1)

Ft4 (Levothyroxine) currently only 44.6% through range

When on levothyroxine we typically will need Ft4 at least 60-70% through range

Your results suggest you need next dose increase in Levo

Also ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you taking

When were vitamin levels last tested

[CAB91 in reply to SlowDragon]

No I had the test around 15/16 hours after taking my Levo. Currently take 100mcg levo (nightly before bed) the test was around 12pm the next day. Vitamins are all in range

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to CAB91]

So Ft4 is in reality even lower if you had left 24 hours

Push hard for next increase in Levo ……as a “trial” if necessary

Retest TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 after 2-3 months on higher dose