Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Aj_luv21 on May 10, 2015, 09:36:00 AM

Title: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: Aj_luv21 on May 10, 2015, 09:36:00 AM
Hi I Am aj , I just wanna ask some advices , coz I went to a clinic for transgender and I got my lab results done but unfortunately they can't give me my first shot of estrogen coz they found out I have a Elevated Prolactin level , which is they explain it to me what was that and they need further evaluation , and they draw a blood agian to check everything what's the cause and the might suspected a tumor on my pitptuary gland .


My Question is Am I not Iligible to take Hormones Estrogen anymore cause of my Prolactin Level ?? I've waited this for so long but I didn't make it . Thank you Guys :(
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: Mariah on May 10, 2015, 09:53:38 AM
Hi AJ, Welcome to Susan's. I don't have answer to your question, but your Endo should. Generally they have to make sure other health issues are under control before starting HRT though so they are this point it sounds like checking things more closely as a result of the labs. I look forward to seeing you around the site. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

Please check out the following links for site rules, helpful tips and other info...

Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: mmmmm on May 10, 2015, 10:09:20 AM
How high are your prolactin levels? (with unit please...)

I had high prolactin measured before I started HRT, and surprisingly or not, it went down into lower-normal range after I started Estradiol and AAs.

If you have excessively high prolactin levels, it might indicate something more serious.. if it's borderline high, or slightly over, it's probably just doctors being cautious.. If you're afraid of needles, it also can result in sky high prolactin numbers, which is why they usually measure it in 4 takings, with 15 minute breaks.
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: KayXo on May 10, 2015, 11:53:28 AM
Are you taking any anti-androgen at the moment, or other medications?
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: Aj_luv21 on May 10, 2015, 03:02:08 PM
@mmmmm I was emotionally depressed and stress too , when I got there I was so nervous and I'm not sure  that would be the cause . And no they took 4 bloodwork in just 1 session they didn't do that every 15mins .

They told me they're not saying I have a tumor, they just wanna make sure and they might send me in a endocrinologist and MRI ass possible.
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: Aj_luv21 on May 10, 2015, 03:05:14 PM
#3 no I haven't been in any anti androgen medications, I'm 21 never been in marijuana , drugs or pot those are asked by me , I don't have any discharge on my breast or enlargedment of briest .

I'm scared :(
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: Aj_luv21 on May 10, 2015, 03:06:25 PM
Quote from: mmmmm on May 10, 2015, 10:09:20 AM
How high are your prolactin levels? (with unit please...)

I had high prolactin measured before I started HRT, and surprisingly or not, it went down into lower-normal range after I started Estradiol and AAs.

If you have excessively high prolactin levels, it might indicate something more serious.. if it's borderline high, or slightly over, it's probably just doctors being cautious.. If you're afraid of needles, it also can result in sky high prolactin numbers, which is why they usually measure it in 4 takings, with 15 minute breaks.


Mmmm
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: mmmmm on May 10, 2015, 03:22:27 PM
Don't worry. Most likely everything is alright, they just need to make shure before they can prescribe any hormone medication. Stress effects prolactin levels, this is the reason why they need to measure it every 15 min, while you lay and relax on the table or couch, so they can get a more realistic reading.
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: Rachel on May 10, 2015, 04:09:01 PM
Hi Aj,

what is your prolactin level?
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: Danielle79 on May 10, 2015, 11:09:22 PM
I developed a prolactinoma after starting HRT. A few months in, my prolactin levels rose, and my endocrinologist ran a second blood test to confirm. She then sent me for an MRI, which showed a 3mm growth in my pituitary gland.

Here's the important part: she did not stop my HRT. In fact, I did not even have to fight her about that. She didn't consider it an option because HRT was so important to my mental well being. Instead, she treated me like a natal female. Prolactinomas are fairly common among women starting in their thirties and fourties. The small ones (under 10mm) are very successfully treated with a class of drugs called dopamine agonists. Dopamine is the natural enemy of prolactin production, and these drugs raise dopamine levels and shrink the tumors. I have been on one of these drugs (cabergoline) for a bit more than a month now, and I've already noticed that certain sexual problems, often caused by high prolactin levels, have subsided.

So yes, you can take HRT and treat a prolactinoma at the same time. No one would dream of cutting off estrogen in a natal woman to fight one of these tumors. Why should we be any different? If your endocrinologist tells you otherwise, try finding a new one.
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: KayXo on May 11, 2015, 12:32:26 PM
Quote from: Danielle79 on May 10, 2015, 11:09:22 PM
I developed a prolactinoma after starting HRT. A few months in, my prolactin levels rose, and my endocrinologist ran a second blood test to confirm. She then sent me for an MRI, which showed a 3mm growth in my pituitary gland.

Were you on cyproterone acetate or ethinyl estradiol/Premarin?
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: Danielle79 on May 11, 2015, 07:15:02 PM
Neither. Spironolactone and estradiol (orally). Both work very well for me. I live in the US.
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: DanaDane on May 13, 2015, 12:44:43 PM
My prolactin levels were right at the top and my doctor didn't flinch.  She also went on to say that she has noticed a trend within those with gender dysphoria having high prolactin levels. 
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: Aj_luv21 on May 21, 2015, 07:41:00 PM
Hi I'm sorry for a late Response, so I got my lab results the first one my prolactin level is 22 and after two weeks went down to 18 and after two weeks which is yesterday it came out 30 and they gonna run a MIR for me I scared :(
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: Rachel on May 21, 2015, 07:51:50 PM
My prolactin was 31.7 ng/ml and normal is 2 to 18 ng/ml. The note from the MD was within normal limits, this was in March. I am on a high dose of E.
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: Aj_luv21 on May 21, 2015, 08:19:04 PM
Quote from: Cynthia Michelle on May 21, 2015, 07:51:50 PM
My prolactin was 31.7 ng/ml and normal is 2 to 18 ng/ml. The note from the MD was within normal limits, this was in March. I am on a high dose of E.


Where on the te opposite situation coz I haven't started on taking hormones yet :(
Title: Re: Planning for HRT but Found out High prolactin level.
Post by: katrinaw on May 21, 2015, 09:33:46 PM
Hi AJ, they only want to be sure...

I have been in medical situ's before that have been very scary, but often we overthink and fear the worst, Its hard, but try and take your mind elsewhere, the more tense and uptight the more your body reacts and gets outter whack... I have no idea what mine were before

Ohh Welcome to Susan's from me  :-*

Take care xx

L Katy