I just started on HRT.  After 5 weeks on a minimum injectable dose (my provider says that equates to a low/moderate dose) of estrogen valerate and spiro my prolactin spiked.

I went from 11.2 pre-HRT to 29.5.  My provider says it could be due to breast massage but they are sending me to an eye doctor to check my vision.  I'm weaning myself off of anti-depressants, SSRI, because I've read they can increase prolactin levels.  They didn't think lowering my estrogen dose was appropriate so that's nice and they doubled my spiro to a full dose so I'm hoping that will soup up the estrogen.  Their approach seems to be wait and see for the next 3 months till my next eval.  I've already gotten good results with my moobs becoming less mooby and a lot more breasty. I have to wear a bra now because they are so sensitive. And my nipples have gotten really big and scarlet.  TMI?

So obviously I don't want to stop or go back. I don't even think I could at this point. Even with the risks I'm facing.

It seems weird to me tho that they are using a cisgender male range to evaluate me when 29.5 is within the healthy range of a cis woman.  Just freaking out a little. I want everything to go perf.

Any similar experiences with starting HRT?

I know it's not what you are facing but you might be interested in this thread.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,210927.0.html

Thanks Dena.  That's precisely what I was looking for.

Quote from: Jane Emily on July 13, 2016, 11:03:10 AM
I just started on HRT.  After 5 weeks on a minimum injectable dose (my provider says that equates to a low/moderate dose) of estrogen valerate and spiro my prolactin spiked.

I went from 11.2 pre-HRT to 29.5.  My provider says it could be due to breast massage but they are sending me to an eye doctor to check my vision.  I'm weaning myself off of anti-depressants, SSRI, because I've read they can increase prolactin levels.  They didn't think lowering my estrogen dose was appropriate so that's nice and they doubled my spiro to a full dose so I'm hoping that will soup up the estrogen.  Their approach seems to be wait and see for the next 3 months till my next eval.  I've already gotten good results with my moobs becoming less mooby and a lot more breasty. I have to wear a bra now because they are so sensitive. And my nipples have gotten really big and scarlet.  TMI?

So obviously I don't want to stop or go back. I don't even think I could at this point. Even with the risks I'm facing.

It seems weird to me tho that they are using a cisgender male range to evaluate me when 29.5 is within the healthy range of a cis woman.  Just freaking out a little. I want everything to go perf.

Any similar experiences with starting HRT

Yes my prolactin went up to 30 just with a small dose of e,the funny thing is that i meaasuere it again after 3 months and it had come down to 11, so i would measure it often like once a month

High prolactin levels are perfectly normal as estrogen levels increase; estrogen stimulates prolactin synthesis. Pregnant women have levels as high as 600 ng/ml, mine are between 80 and 130 and I'm on injectables too. I am fine, no vision problems. Pregnancy has not been shown to cause prolactinomas and women with microadenomas rarely see worsening during pregnancy while sometimes, tumor disappears post pregnancy. No prolactinomas have ever been observed with the use of bio-identical hormones (like estradiol valerate) or with Spiro in transsexual women.

I had a high (for male bodies) prolactin level BEFORE starting HRT, 30-34.  An MRI shows a 3.5 mm adenoma on the left side of the pituitary.  This is probably what is called a microprolactinoma.

I haven't been pregnant recently...  I'm being monitored with regular labs, and if the level rises significantly, I'll be given a drug that is well understood and safe, cabergoline, which blocks the signal to produce prolactin and shrinks prolactinomas.  Up to 95% of these adenomas show no growth over a 4-6 year period   (Schlechte J, Dolan K, Sherman B, et al. The natural history of untreated hyperprolactinemia: a prospective analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1989 Feb. 68(2):412-8. [Medline])

Very early my chest became feminine with my nipples and areolas  cone shaped then rounded

Hugs Shannon

Quote from: spx_1112 on August 08, 2016, 09:37:40 AM
Very early my chest became feminine with my nipples and areolas  cone shaped then rounded

Hugs Shannon

Thx.

Today I put on a halter top and actually filled it out. Wonderful.

I don't do halter tops but csmis and it's a great feeling filling them out

Quote from: KayXo on August 03, 2016, 06:59:21 PM
High prolactin levels are perfectly normal as estrogen levels increase; estrogen stimulates prolactin synthesis. Pregnant women have levels as high as 600 ng/ml, mine are between 80 and 130 and I'm on injectables too. I am fine, no vision problems. Pregnancy has not been shown to cause prolactinomas and women with microadenomas rarely see worsening during pregnancy while sometimes, tumor disappears post pregnancy. No prolactinomas have ever been observed with the use of bio-identical hormones (like estradiol valerate) or with Spiro in transsexual women.

Thank you for that information, I'm much less stressed about it these days.   Must be the estrogen.  Also, passed all my vision tests with flying colors.