Question 1

i have a high prolactin level mri shows pituitary gland is squashed. the past year ive been having 2 periods a month. could these 3 things be related?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they could: which is why your doctor is checking things like your Prolactin level and doing MRI's.  S/he is worried about a possible pituitary tumor and is doing the appropriate workup.

Question 2

what is my life expectancy? terrible headaches. dr ordered hormone blood tests. high prolactin found. mri  found pituitary microadenoma

Accepted Answer

Pituitary adenoma: This question is best answered by a neuro-surgeon and may depend on whether the adenoma is large enough to be removed sugically etc. good luck

Question 3

what causes low prolactin levels, mri scans reported at normal? also low vit d, low cortisol, high folate (folic acid) level. now have images of mri and ct myself.

Accepted Answer

Not a problem: The "normal range" of prolactin can be misleading.  A low value is not a problem, unless you are lactating.

Question 4

39 yr f ttc w/micro pit adenoma
6 births
difficulties ttc > 2 yrs
prolactin n
2nd mri e sella s
l cortisol, l progesterone 
age 
adenoma
both

Accepted Answer

Pituitary: Your question is cryptic and confusing, and I don't understand all the abbreviations.  In general, the images of the pituitary by MRI don't always correspond to the hormone levels.  Pituitaries can form lumps, can get squeezed against the sella (i.e. "empty") and yet still function well.  Talk to you Endocrinologist who can sort out the complexity.

Question 5

dopamine agonists raise or lower dopamine levels? have high prolactin, due for mri pituitary gland, want to know l-thyrosine use was bad idea in past?

Accepted Answer

Neither: dopamine agonists stimulate receptors, but do not raise or lower levels.  The newer agents, such as ritigotine, only stimulate specific brain receptors, and do not affect prolactin levels.

Question 6

hi. i had endocrinology tests, some of which were at worst slightly outside of the normal range. some were normal range. i have no apparent symptoms. my doctor wants a thyroid ultrasound and thyroid mri (i think mri because prolactin 22). why?

Accepted Answer

Endocrines: Probably to make sure that the little abnormalities have no underlying cause Good Luck

Question 7

high prolactin level since 2000. mri's does not show tumor in pit gland. no period in a year. breast discharges milky color. mammogram was normal. ?

Accepted Answer

High Prolactin: Aside from a pituitary tumor, high prolactin levels can be caused by breast feeding, hypothyroidism and certain medications. Any medication that restricts the effect of the brain chemical Dopamine can cause abnormalities in prolactin production. This is because Dopamine regulates prolactin production by the pituitary gland. These medications include some drugs for high blood pressure.

Question 8

44 years old. prolactin at 26.3 do i need an mri?

Accepted Answer

Is prob indicated: An MRI of the head (specifically pituitary gland) with and without contrast is probably in your future.  But, you need a complete history and physical, appropriate labs (maybe already done) and possibly other tests.  High prolactin may be caused by a prolactinoma, a tumor of of the pituitary gland, which regulates many hormone feedback loops and is located at base of the brain behind nasal bridge.

Question 9

my prolactin level is 44 being sent for a mri should i be worried? the last it was checked a month ago it was 48. my fertility dr is sending me.

Accepted Answer

Fertility MD advice: Your fertility md is ordering the MRI to see if there is a visible growth in the brain causing the elevation. So, follow up with your md after the mri, and either way it can be treated with medication and worry is not needed.

Question 10

my 10 year old has a prolactin level of 50 she had an mri when it was 28. could a tumor have been to small to detect at that time?

Accepted Answer

Why checking prl?: A prolactin level of 50 isn't usually high enough to consider a prolactinoma in most. There are other more common reasons to see elevations like this in kids, especially if taking certain psychiatric medication.  Why are levels being followed? What other symptoms are there?

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Doctor answers about:

Prolactin mri

A member asked:

I have a high prolactin level mri shows pituitary gland is squashed. the past year ive been having 2 periods a month. could these 3 things be related?

A member asked:

What is my life expectancy? terrible headaches. dr ordered hormone blood tests. high prolactin found. mri found pituitary microadenoma

A member asked:

What causes low prolactin levels, mri scans reported at normal? also low vit d, low cortisol, high folate (folic acid) level. now have images of mri and ct myself.

A member asked:

39 yr f ttc w/micro pit adenoma 6 births difficulties ttc > 2 yrs prolactin n 2nd mri e sella s l cortisol, l progesterone age adenoma both

A member asked:

Dopamine agonists raise or lower dopamine levels? have high prolactin, due for mri pituitary gland, want to know l-thyrosine use was bad idea in past?

A member asked:

Hi. i had endocrinology tests, some of which were at worst slightly outside of the normal range. some were normal range. i have no apparent symptoms. my doctor wants a thyroid ultrasound and thyroid mri (i think mri because prolactin 22). why?

A member asked:

High prolactin level since 2000. mri's does not show tumor in pit gland. no period in a year. breast discharges milky color. mammogram was normal. ?

A member asked:

44 years old. prolactin at 26.3 do i need an mri?

A member asked:

My prolactin level is 44 being sent for a mri should i be worried? the last it was checked a month ago it was 48. my fertility dr is sending me.

A member asked:

My 10 year old has a prolactin level of 50 she had an mri when it was 28. could a tumor have been to small to detect at that time?

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