Prolactinoma Support Group
A prolactinoma is a benign tumor of the pituitary gland that produces a hormone called prolactin. It is the most common type of pituitary tumor. Symptoms of prolactinoma are caused by too much prolactin in the blood or by pressure of the tumor on surrounding tissues. Prolactin stimulates the breast to produce milk during pregnancy. After delivery of the baby, a mother's...
Hello All, I'm wondering how prolactin level correlates to adenomas.
My prolactin level was 79 in late October, then 98 in December and 101 in January. My endo says this range doesn't indicate a tumor getting bigger - just different times of day/different times of cycle.
My GP feels under 200, it's very unlikely to even be an adenoma but probably due to the meds I'm on or my PTSD.
I am using acupuncture and folate (a natural dopamine agonist) to try to treat this naturally.
I'll have a CT on Monday as I can't tolerate an MRI.
If my prolactin test from a few days ago is still high, dr wants to start me on cabergoline. I'm feeling like if a tumor does not show on the CT and my levels are dropping (even if not quite normal yet), and I continue to be symptom-free, I'll continue with my current course of treatment and get prolactin tests done every three months.
I'm older (in my 50's) and from what I've read, as you approach menopause these things tend to slow their growth even more or may even dissolve on their own. My endo says she hasn't heard of this but I've spoken with other endo's who routinely see this.
What are other people experienceing in terms of their prolactin and tumor size. What treatments are you trying and how are they going for you?
Wishing you all well!
My prolactin level was 79 in late October, then 98 in December and 101 in January. My endo says this range doesn't indicate a tumor getting bigger - just different times of day/different times of cycle.
My GP feels under 200, it's very unlikely to even be an adenoma but probably due to the meds I'm on or my PTSD.
I am using acupuncture and folate (a natural dopamine agonist) to try to treat this naturally.
I'll have a CT on Monday as I can't tolerate an MRI.
If my prolactin test from a few days ago is still high, dr wants to start me on cabergoline. I'm feeling like if a tumor does not show on the CT and my levels are dropping (even if not quite normal yet), and I continue to be symptom-free, I'll continue with my current course of treatment and get prolactin tests done every three months.
I'm older (in my 50's) and from what I've read, as you approach menopause these things tend to slow their growth even more or may even dissolve on their own. My endo says she hasn't heard of this but I've spoken with other endo's who routinely see this.
What are other people experienceing in terms of their prolactin and tumor size. What treatments are you trying and how are they going for you?
Wishing you all well!
I joined this community in search of others who have prolactinomas and are treating the issue without pharmaceuticals.
You, Reed31, seem to be the only person on a message board who is taking this route besides myself.
I am interested in connecting with you to hear about your treatment approach.
I was diagnosed with the tumor in Oct 2008 with no symptoms, but at a well visit to prepare to begin trying to get pregnant. My periods were always light and only 2-3days. My prolactin level was in the 40s and the MRI detected a 4mm microadenoma.
I found out I was pregnant a month later before I began treatment. After nursing my baby my cycle did not return and I tried cabergoline, but did not like the possible side effects and after a few months, while my cycle returned, I was not getting pregnant and I wanted to.
I saw a Naturopathic Doctor and began vitex/chasteberry, Duong Quai, and acupuncture and was pregnant within a few months.
Now I have not returned to a cycle and my prolactin is 38 and I'm using vitex to keep the levels low.
I'm curious about others not using pharmaceuticals, please share, thanks!
You sound like you've really done your homework and have done a good job staying calm and researching everything prior to making a decision. Most people just do what their doctor tells them to do.
Speaking with my GP, she told me that the endocrinologist would likely mention cabergoline, but to weigh that option very carefully as there are a lot of side effects and high prolactin may cause fewer problems than the medication.
My last blood test - after two visits to the acupuncturist - showed that my prolactin level has plummeted nearly 60 points. It is still not quite normal, so I'm continuing with acupuncture and will start on the chasteberry if it remains high. I will have blood tests every 3 months until it stabilizes and then yearly tests.
The CT revealed no tumor. My endo feels that my prolactin levels will shoot way up if I have a tumor that starts growing so we'll just keep an eye on it.
I will say that it is a good idea to do your own research. I learned SO much by reading, talking with experts and chatting with people here. The thing that helped me the most was hearing - "You have time." It feels like there's such a sense of urgency with this issue and truly, while it's important to stay on top of it, there is almost always time to do some research so you can make an educated decision.