prolactin

[Bob2000]

i seem to repeatedly get prolactin level readings that are a few points higher then normal. The levels i am talking about range from 21 to 27. All my endos have claimed that a few points higher then normal prolactin levels cannot cause gynecomastia...yet its been a year and a half that i have developed it. Can a prolactin level of 27 or less cause gynecomastia? The endos repeatedly tell me i am just stressed which in turn raises my prolactin levels. All my other hormones are normal.

[monsterclean]

Hey Bob2000,

It's quite unlikely that your prolactin is causing gynecomastia.

Your prolactin levels are not super high.  People can have really high prolactin levels.

Second, high prolactin levels would actually inhibit your estrogen production, which rules out one potential cause of gynecomastia.

[Bob2000]

I have no idea, i am beyond frustrated, as to WHAT is causing me to accumulate such large lumps of fat in my chest. I have done all the blood work, 2 mammos and 2 ultra sounds, seen 3 endos, no answer. I am using some herbal hair loss product called fabio 101 F, i dont know if that is screwing with my hormones. It all started when i started getting corticosteroid injections for my shoulder injury, but then never went away. As for the herbal hair product i started it 2 weeks ago and now my nipples burn with pain. IS it even possible to have such a pathetically sensitive body as to be the only guy on earth who cant use some weak herbal product which is never even known to inhibit DHT?  This is ridiculous.

[monsterclean]

Hey Bob2000,

Don't get so down on yourself, most cases of gynecomastia are idiopathic (i.e. there is no known cause for the gyne).

Herbal products aren't as innocent as we seem to think.  Just like pharmaceutical drugs, the herbal drugs have an active ingredient.  It can mess with your body.

The corticosteroids could have played a role in your gyne.  Gyne is a known side effect of the corticosteroids.  Unfortunately, if that's the case, your gyne will not go away on its own even though you have stopped the corticosteroids.  Surgery is the only solution at that point.

[phxguy123]

I just got put on Cabergoline to lower my prolactin.  The doctor I'm going to is very forward-thinking, and not like these old guys who are totally by the book.  My prolactin was only 19, but it was right at the top of "normal," and I'm only 27.  He said that just because it was within the normal "range" does not mean that it is normal for me.  My e2 was also 37 and he said both these readings were way to high for me.

I took Avodart and Propecia for hair loss, and I know that probably screwed up my hormones a little.  I was also on anti-depressants for years, which is what raised my prolactin.  After getting prolactin down, it should raise your libido, allow your natural testosterone to go up, and also elevate your mood.

[Paa_Paw]

From what I have been able to learn about prolactin levels, values a few points above "normal" are not reason for alarm.

The information I've seen on this subject would indicate that a problem would cause the prolactin levels to be two or more times the reference levels.

Here again is the reason why we are willing to see a specialist. Interpretation of the various lab tests is not a simple matter. It must be kept in mind that individual lab reports are almost meaningless by themselves. Your medical history and the observations of the Dr. are needed to make sense of the lab results. The various hormones do not act alone, they interact with each other.