high PROLACTIN levels
599 Replies
Bridgette - August 25

Diane, That's GREAT!! I am so happy for you. It's always good when you hear that some one got pg. I am still waiting but I feel good that It will happen soon.

 

Lisa - August 27

Hi girls! This site is great!! I am so glad that I found it. Here is my story: the very first time I went to the OB I was 17. I had the normal blood work up, etc. and I had a prolactin level of 120. My OB was a new doctor and she did not even catch this at first. I got on BCP b/c I was having irregular periods (now I know why!) and everything was great. A year later when I went in for my yearly visit, my doc. noticed that my prolactin levels were very high from the year before. She ordered a re-test and the levels came back normal. I then switched doctors for a couple of other reasons, one being that she was not very on top of things. My next doctor was very well known in our city and she immediately saw my high prolactin levels and was concerned. She wanted to do an MRI or CT scan to check for the tumor. I was so scared!! I was only 18 at the time and the thought of a tumor was just so scary. However, I was retested for prolactin and the levels were again normal. So, my doc said no need to do the scan, I would need to do one if the levels went back up. This entire time I was on BCP. Every year I get checked for my prolactin levels and they have been normal since being on BCP. Well, I am now 24 and me and my husband are ttc. I got off the pill about 2 months ago and the first month I had a 33 day cycle, but was not pregnant. My last period was on July 17 (day I started) and I have not had one since. So, its been about 6 weeks. I took a HPT and it was negative. So, yesterday I called my doc and she immediately said that she wanted to test my prolactin levels. I am pretty sure they are back up since I am off the pill now because I am pretty sure I did not ovulate this last month and I haven't had a period. So, I am going in on Monday for a prolactin test and I am just so worried that I will have trouble getting preg. and all of that. This site has been pretty re-assuring that it is possible though! I am just anxious to get on meds if my level is high and start ttc again! Good luck to everyone out there that is in this same boat. It is good to know that this is relatively common and it is "fixable". I guess things could be worse! My only symptom right now is just that I have not had a period. I do not have breast discharge or sore breasts. I will keep you updated, thanks in advance for the support!

 

Lale - August 28

I have elevated prolactin 31.1. Generally if it is too high you need to have MRI to see if there is anything. It can be a symptom of a beign (non harmful) brain tumor.
Good luck.

 

Mary Beth - August 31

I went to the doctor yesterday and found out that my prolactin levels are too high, she said this isn't a big problem right now but pregnancy might be a problem. I have a kidney disease and plus this overload of prolactin. Has anybody heard of this? My doctor said the medication to get my prolactin levels down had some bad side effects, does anybody know these side effects?
[email protected]

 

Tiffany Jo - September 1

Mary Beth: How high is your prolactin level and have you had an MRI?

 

Jennifer - September 1

I am dostinex for three weeks. I am experiencing bad headaches every day. My doctor said it is not a side effect from the medication. Does anyone on Dostinex also get a lot of headaches?

 

Nicole - September 2

Hi
Yes I just found out my prolactin level is 76..I am awaiting my MRI to find more out. I have not been able to sleep, eat, work, crying all the time. I am 27 and was trying to conceive for 8 months now. Reading some of your answers here really helped me see the light. Just knowing it is possible to conceive still and live a normal life.
THANKS

 

crazybaby - September 2

I have also had high leves of over 200 and have been diagnosed with a pituatary tumor. This has been going on for over nine years. I've been on bromocriptine for all this time. I'm now on 7.5mg a day. My levels fluctuate but that is partly my fault. The tablets have awful side effects so sometimes I just skip out my meds especially if I'm sick and have to be taking other meds. Some side effects include headaches, nausea, vomiting and nasal congestion. My doctor wants the levels to be normal before I conceive. I'm very anxious to conceive now. So I've been taking the meds regularly now. Hopefully I hear good news when I recheck the levels early October.

 

Lizzy - September 4

i was diagnosed with a pituitary tumer 13 years ago. I had nipple discharge at the time, I was 22 years old. I had an increased prolactin level - anywhere from 35-58.My doctor at the time told me that I needed to remove the tumor or I might not ever conceive a child. My parents took me to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion. They also say the tumor but told me that surgery was not neccessary. They told me that as long as I had normal periods not to worry about it. I was on Parlodel, it did nothing. My prolactin levels actually increased. I stopped taking the meds, had normal periods and went on with my life. I was married five years later. It took us six months to conceive with the help of the book, You and Your Fertility. We now have two children ages 4 and 6. I am now 35 and I recently miscarried. I am pregnant again taking prometrium. Could I miscarry again if my prolactin is high??? When I stop taking prometrium after my first trimester, could I lose the baby. I miscarried on my 12th week last time.

 

Peaches - September 4

Jennifer
I am surrently using Dostinex but I don't get no headaches. I actually used to suffer from headaches before I started the medication. I am now into my 3rd week of the medication - hope when I go for my test sometime i November everything is fine..

 

stacie - September 4

yes i had to have my blood taken twice because of my prolactin levels being way too high...my husband and i have been trying for a little over 2 years now, it is very hard to go through infertility. i am now taking a pill to lower my prolactin level so i hope to be pregnant by christmas

 

Guy - September 6

How long do you have to be on the pill in order to get pregnant? I been taking Dostinex for 7 weeks already

 

Rina - September 8

Hi I am very happy I found this site. I thought I was the only person in this world with High Prolactin. Heres my story.I'm 24 years old with one child. In April of 2005 I went to the Dr for having breast milk ( the milk never stopped after I had my baby, she is now 4 years old) dr. tested me and said my prolactin was elevated at a 98. Said nothing to worry about. A few months later I had very bad headaches, had MRI done and found a microadenoma 3x4mm. I was devastated because I've been trying to get pregnant for 3 years now and wasn't able to. Recently tested prolactin and was down to 25. Dr. said this is normal and he don't think this is the reason I'm not able to conceive. But after reading this site I do believe this is the reason. Dr. gave me clomid (100 mg) So I will start that today. I have so many Questions about what I have and he won't answer them. Could somebody tell me If it is dangersous to get pregnant having a pituitary tumor of that size, my dr. is not very caring. My husband and I really want another child to complete our family. Thanks

 

Tiffany Jo - September 11

Rina: Your story sounds very similar to mine as you can read in prior postings. My microadenoma is 5x3x5mm and my prolactin levels were in the 70s when I was diagnosed. Much like you, I have a three year old that I breastfed and my milk never completely went away. I had the main symptoms of high prolactin levels (ammenorhea, lack of sexual interest, and contlinuing lactation). I not only sought out my OB's opinion, but I also went to see an endocrinologist who specialized in pituitary disorders. I feel much more confident with the advice and explanation of both physicians. I am now on Bromocriptine and my last prolactin level was 11. Now my doctors say that it is safe for me to get pregnant whenever we are ready, but with the knowledge I must stop the medications as soon as I find out I am pregnant. As with you, I had many questions about my safety and that of a fetus (as you can see by my previous postings). I found some interesting reseach studies and information that I would like to share with you. Hope the following sites will answer some questions for you. http://www.niddk.nih.gov/healt
h/endo/pubs/prolact/prolact.ht
m

http://www.ohsupituitary.com/patients
/prolac.asp
http://patients.uptodate.c
om/topic.asp?file=endo_hor/8753
http:/
/www.emedicine.com/med/topic3264.htm
t
he
last site is especially informative about risks associated with adenoma size and pregnancy.

 

a - September 11

could you guys list why your prolactin levels were checked? was is just for the discharge and irregular periods? i had a m/c in feb after 2 months ttc and off bcp. since then my periods have become increasing longer this month i am already on day 47. my breasts are very sore especially my nipples and my doctor had blood drawn on friday to check my thyroid and prolactin. i find out in a week and it is killing me! trying to determine if this is a possibility for me (the alternative would be worse infertility issues) and what i can do about it. did anyone find this to be a problem after a m/c or after coming off bcp?

 

Rina - September 12

Hi Tiffany! How long were you trying to get pregnant since you've been on the bromocriptine? My dr. says if the clomid does not work he will put me on that. His attitude is he sees lots of patients with what I have and its just harder to conceive. Because my prolactin was 25 the last time we checked he considers it to be normal and does not feel the need to be put on any med. He gave me 3 choices about what I have. 1.Remove it which he does not advise because it is small. 2.Be put on meds which he does not advise because there is many side affects and 3. Just watch it and monitor it. I ended up choosing #3 because that's what he was pushing for. He bacame very upset with me because I had so many questions about it. I kind of went into a depression, but now I found this site I realized that i'm probably going to be okay. So do you think I should be put on the meds to bring my prolactin down so I can get pregnant. And can a women give birth naturally with having this or will she need a c-section?

 

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