Prolactin Levels

[Newgirl Dani]

Hi all, if you would post your prolactin levels for early (baseline even better) thru the end of your 1st year of hrt, I would really appreciate it.  I am trying to get a general idea of the level rise for this one blood value, and whether or not you reached a level where your doctor felt it best to cut back on E a bit.

This is strictly a prolactin level only, without any need for explaining what type of regimin your on, and also not a discussion on any medical meanings of the prolactin rise.  This is mainly to just keep this simple. 

Here is my reason for wanting to know.  My baseline was upper teens (cannot remember exactly), two months or so of E and a rise to 25, and just now at about the overall 5 month mark 31.3  My doctor yesterday OK'd my final E dosage increase request, but noted that if it rises above 40, she would like to cut back to the dosage I am at now.  So I'm kind of interested in where that 'leveling out point' has been for others and yes I understand we are all different, so this is not for the purpose of comparing myself to any one person.  She is giving me 3 months at this new dosage before checking again.  I am not worried or concerned really because if there is a need, well thats just how it goes, so this is for curiosity sake.     Dani

P.S.  Just called the clinic and my baseline was 14.1 on 05/08/14

[MelissaAnn]

On 9/26/14 my Prolactin level was 5.6. this is a pre-HRT level. so my base line. I will keep you updated when I have my blood work done in Dec.

[Newgirl Dani]

On 9/26/14 my Prolactin level was 5.6. this is a pre-HRT level. so my base line. I will keep you updated when I have my blood work done in Dec.

Thanks MelissaAnn, much appreciated, and also to all who respond later on.  Dani 

[KayXo]

Prolactin is especially increased with the use of cyproterone acetate and non bio-identical estrogen. Bio-identical estradiol might not be the culprit. Also, ciswomen experience levels up to 100-200 during pregnancy/lactation.

[Rachel]

HRT start 5/28/2013 the portal only goes back a bit over a year.

22 on 8/2013  spiro, finasteride, oral E
25 on 9/2014  added progesterone June 2014. I am on a high dose IM, same as the other girls at group for the past 9 weeks.

[Newgirl Dani]

Prolactin is especially increased with the use of cyproterone acetate and non bio-identical estrogen. Bio-identical estradiol might not be the culprit. Also, ciswomen experience levels up to 100-200 during pregnancy/lactation.

Thanks KayXo, I am on what some may consider a moderately high IM Estradiol Valerate along with Spiro, but I'm not looking for what may be the culprit or cause.  I am only trying to get an idea what prolactin rise others have experienced in there fist year and if there was a point when their doctor or endo wanted to cut them back a bit to be on the safe side.

And thanks Cynthia, each entry helps me get a better overall picture.  Reading medical stats is one thing but its nice to hear actual experiences as well.

[JustASeq]

06/18/2014 - ~2 weeks pre-HRT
18.1 ng/mL
09/22/2014 - 84 days HRT
13.9 ng/mL


Those are all the Prolactin labs I have so far....I'm not sure if HRT type is useful infor for you, but I am on Spiro and Estradiol.

[Newgirl Dani]

Hi All,
Well here I am 3 months later and I am still just as confused about usual prolactin levels in early hrt.  My next blood test is in 8 days and my doctors app is in 12 days.  Does anyone know the prolactin level in which one would just relent and say ok cut my dosage?  From what I've read (A BUNCH), the presence of estrogen itself causes a rise in prolactin levels, and women's levels can get very high ( 100 to 300 ).  This is so frustrating, that murky, fuzzy area where a rise of prolactin can be negative (beginnings of prolactinoma) or positive (just a sign that a higher level of estrogen exists in the body).  Worse is the uncertainty of the reason for the doctors decision to cut dosage, is it just being safe, OR is it the
perfect excuse for gatekeeping?

So a link would be very helpful that would give qualified medical information that give examples of prolactin rise due to estrogen increase alone.  To print and give to my doctor.

For anyone thinking I may be only trying to get around a possible problem just to continue hrt, my health is the 'only' health I have, so if it did continue to rise, well yeah it would call for an MRI.  I just do not want to go backward because a doctor wants to be what could be overcautious.   Thanks to any who answer.   Dani

[Ms Grace]

Have to say I never pay much attention to my levels - the endo reels off a list of numbers every time I visit him but they go over my head. He seems happy with them and I'm happy with my progress so I guess I have no reason to doubt him. I hope!

[Newgirl Dani]

Hi Grace,
Thats cool, and I'm happy these are your circumstances, its just that I'm paying attention to my levels because she said on my last visit that if the prolactin levels go a few numbers higher my dosage will be cut in half.  I am only at what could be considered the upper end of low dosage, so hence my concern.   I need 'some' qualifed info to print and take with me, otherwise its backwards I go, and I have had some really nice results.   Dani