I consulted Dr Google and learned that:
1) high prolactin can be a cause of infertility since prolactin inhibits FSH and gonadotropin with are necessary for ovulation. These hormones are necessary to help eggs develop and mature. Too much prolactin can prevent ovulation from being triggered; and
2) about 10% of the population has a tumor on the pituitary gland (Prolactinoma) in their brain that controls the release of prolactin; and
3) that serotonin stimulates the release of prolactin and thus SRRI's can cause higher prolactin levels.
I sent an email to the nurse reminding her that I am taking 20mg of Lexapro (SRRI) and .25mg of Klonopin a few times a week. I'd asked my GP about these meds and was assured that they were safe until the third trimester and that the benefit outweighed any risk.
I really was a blithering idiot from the time we got our azoos diagnosis until I started taking these meds last year. I really can't imagine getting thru IVF without them. I suppose that I will have to argue my case to the Dr tomorrow when he draws my blood.
I could be wrong, but I really I think that I'll be okay once I am finally pregnant. The stress of not being able to get pregnant is the only reason I needed to take these meds in the first place. I am finally feeling like myself again, and just can't fathom the thought of living like a blithering idiot again.
I'm not panicked, yet, but am considering panic as a viable option depending on the conversation that I have with the Dr tomorrow.
7 comments :
I'm sorry that your prolactin level was a little bit high, but I don't think that it's the end of the world. Hopefully everything works out for the best. I know I used to worry about my prolactin level, because I have galactorrhea (yep - the infertile woman lactates...) and that can be caused by a high prolactin level. Turned out not to be anything to worry about. Try not to stress out.
Good luck...try to stave off the panic as long as you can.
Hi foxy, I have mildly elevated prolactin levels. I cant remember the exact numbers, but its somewhere around 32, when ideally it should not be above 24 (according to my clinic). The doc said he could put me on Bromocriptine, but the side effects are not fun. I seem to be ovulating fine, so he said he'd much rather that I go ahead with my treatments and so didn't prescribe bromocriptine.
I am not sure if my elevated prolactin is affecting my fertility, but I like to think only very high levels are of concern for prolactinoma.
Also, I searched online and found a paper that said "mildly elevated prolactin levels does not affect outcome of IUI". So hopefully we are both ok.
Oh and I forgot to add - TMI, but the nurse said "no nipple stimulation" 24 hrs prior to the blood draw, and fasting blood.
Good luck. I'm sending you virtual hugs!
I don't know much but I had high levels of prolactin as well. The only reason for me was stress, and there were nothing to worry about. The nurse told me not to panic if I looked it up and found links to brain tumors!
Good luck and take care.
They let you stay on the Klonopin??? Jealous!
Anywho, off to check your other posts this week (I have had a hard time getting anything done since I've been rather mopey).
Hope everything turns out okay!
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