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Post by baileybee on Feb 2, 2009 13:33:30 GMT -5
Hi Guys, Not sure that this is the right forum (if it's not, please move) The receptionist as the GP's surgery called today and asked me to make an appointment to see the GP tomorrow. I had some blood tests done last week and the results are back in. The receptionsist didn't mention any of the results apart from prolactin ... which is 997 ng/ml. It is supposed to be less than 20ng/ml for a non-pregnant woman. I'm currently taking 25mg HC and 4 grains of armour - would either of these lead to a raised prolactin level? OR if it does turn out to be a prolactinoma, could this be the reason my thyroid and adrenal results were low? advice muchly appreciated! Jo My previous results are posted on the link below. hormonesupportgroup.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=adrenals&thread=328&page=1#1735
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dee
New Member
Posts: 30
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Post by dee on Feb 2, 2009 14:38:22 GMT -5
Hi Jo, My prolactin is high, too (not as high as yours, but higher than the range). I found out when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in April 08. At first my doctor said I need a CAT scan - but that's not correct. I found out through forums like these, that I actually need a pituitary MRI w/contrast. Then, I brought it up to my doctor again, and he changed his mind and thought my prolactin wasn't high enough to warrant that. I think I do need it, though. But about you - - has anyone mentioned an MRI of the pituitary? About your question whether the medications could have brought it up - I'm not sure. Big help, I know, but mine was high *before* I started thyroid replacement hormone (desiccated), and doubled after the first couple of months on the hormone, but has dropped back down now, but is still above range. I'm getting it rechecked with my next blood test. Hope this helps, and good luck with your appointment. Dee
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Post by fractal1 on Feb 2, 2009 15:16:00 GMT -5
Hi Baileybee, If your TSH in the link provided was drawn pre-thyroid replacement, then you have hypopituitarism - making it likely that your high prolactin is also associated with it. This would also suggest that low cortisol is due to pituitary rather than adrenals. You MUST get an MRI scan with gadolinium contrast. Also, have you had IGF-1 with growth hormone and LH/FSH with individual sex hormones tested yet? If not, get them done. Cheers
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Post by baileybee on Feb 3, 2009 9:36:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies guys. I've just returned from the Drs and have been refered to the endo to arrange an MRI. Appt isn't until the 3rd March, going private - how rubbish is that!!!
I'm taking 4gr armour, 25mg HC, B12, iron and folic acid.
TSH less than 0.05 (0.3 - 4.2) free t4 22.8 (12 - 22) t3 4.5 (1.3 - 3.1) B12 854 (155 - 1100) Folate 5.7 (2.8 - 12.4) Ferritin 69 (14 - 186) LH 2.9 IU/l (no range) FSH 4.1 IU/l " " Progesterone 1.8 mnol/l " " Oestradiol 91 pmol/l " " testosterone 1.00 nmol/l " " SHGB 37.1nmol/l FAI 2.7 " "
sodium 141mmol/l (135 - 145) potassium 4.7mmol/l (3.5 - 5.0) chloride 104 " (95 - 105) bicarbonate 24 " (21 - 28) urea 4.2 " (2.5 - 7.5) creatinine 64 " (60 - 110)
I recieved these results today - done on day 3 of cycle.
Thanks again
Jo
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Post by fractal1 on Feb 8, 2009 22:32:55 GMT -5
Hi Jo, I have no idea how I missed your response . I really need the lab ranges before I can comment. Do you have them? Cheers
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Post by doggy532001 on Feb 13, 2009 15:56:23 GMT -5
Just to say that way back in the 90s I had a high prolactin level but it seemed to be ok on the next test. However I believe I was hypopit then but got no treatment. I was constantly very ill with severe migraines and vertigo attacks.
It ended up in 2000 with a complete crash and a diagnosis of ME/CFS and I didn't get any treatment until 2002. By then I found a doctor who noticed my saliva tests were too low for cortisol but I had high DHEA and high progesterone. This is consistent with mercury poisoning which I also had and it completely messes up the pathways meaning I was definitely hypopit and I have gone on to need adrenal support with Prednisolone plus extra h/c, Fludrocortisone and Armour.
If there is any doubt I would ask for a trial and see if it helped. If only I could have found a knowledgeable doctor and if there had been the internet then I could have been saved years of misery.
Pam
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Post by justaustin on Feb 14, 2009 8:42:59 GMT -5
One of the most common causes of high prolactin levels is hypothyroidism. The reason is this: "Elevated TRH, which acts as an enhancer of prolactin release. TSH is the most sensitive method to evaluate for hypothyroidism. Occasionally, patients with hypothyroidism exhibit hyperprolactinemia with remarkable pituitary enlargement due to thyrotroph hyperplasia. These patients respond to thyroid replacement with reduction in pituitary enlargement and normalization of prolactin levels."
The fact that you are currently take thyroid hormone replacment and your prolactin is that high, suggests that this might not be the case.
The next step is having MRI with and without Gadolinium (as you indicate is ordered) and have ALL of your pituitary hormones tested.
Be sure to request a copy of the MRI FILM(S) and report. Not everyone is the same when it comes to interpreting the films. Pituitary Endo's/Surgeons may see things a bit differently than say an every day Radiologist for example.
Do you take any antidepressant's?/SSRI"s? Paxil is known to increase prolactin levels.
Laurie
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