Just saw my endo to go over bloodwork/MRI and was prescribed Cabergoline

[charlie1821]

My testosterone was 164, pretty low, and my prolactin is 37, about twice the max norm.

Oddly (thankfully) there was no tumor.

She put me on .5mg of Cabergoline twice a week. Anybody on this? Any success? I read all the side effects and am a bit nervous about taking it, but I don't have much choice, my gyne is severe. (Lactation for gods sakes).

I'm going to take it for a few months-year and see if that gets rid of my glands etc, if not then I'll have surgery.

[DrBermant]

My testosterone was 164, pretty low, and my prolactin is 37, about twice the max norm.

Oddly (thankfully) there was no tumor.

She put me on .5mg of Cabergoline twice a week. Anybody on this? Any success? I read all the side effects and am a bit nervous about taking it, but I don't have much choice, my gyne is severe. (Lactation for gods sakes).

I'm going to take it for a few months-year and see if that gets rid of my glands etc, if not then I'll have surgery.

Cabergoline is a medication that can be used to treat prolactinomas (tumors of the pituitary gland).  When effective, glandular growth is sometimes stabilized, and sometimes regresses.  A Prolactinoma tumor makes too much Prolactin a hormone that causes breast growth to make milk for pregnancy.  Prolactinoma in men can be large enough to press on the optic nerves restricting vision.  It is one cause of gynecomastia that is best discussed by your endocrinologist.  Gynecomastia surgery is better deferred until such problems are stabilized.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Male Breast Reduction

[DrBermant]

My patients awaiting stabilization for such issues as an endocrinology problem as a prolactinoma have expressed how helpful No Surgery Body Shaping Garments have been to temporize a natural chest contour.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia

[Paa_Paw]

Dr. Bermant,

Thank you for two very enlightening responses. I think that each of these deserves to be a topic in itself.

The compression/shaping garments of today are great and actually bear only slight resemblance to the uncomfortable garments of years past. I think they need, and merit, better exposure within these pages.

[charlie1821]

Thanks for the replies Dr. Bermant.

I do not have a tumor/growth but still have high prolactin/low testosterone.

I'm worried what some possible side effects may be.

I'm also already using compression vests.

[moobius]

you may get headaches and/or 'stuffiness' in your nose/sinuses from the cabergoline. i wouldn't worry too much about any other sides at that dose and especially with your prolactin that high. you should see improvement in your gyne as this counters the prolactin.

[charlie1821]

you may get headaches and/or 'stuffiness' in your nose/sinuses from the cabergoline. i wouldn't worry too much about any other sides at that dose and especially with your prolactin that high. you should see improvement in your gyne as this counters the prolactin.

Thanks!   

[charlie1821]

No they didn't really, other than my body IS producing absurdly high levels of prolactin which is suppressing my testosterone. Bad genes.

I'm going to start taking it tonight anyways.

It's nice to have others that I can empathize with.