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What Causes Elevated Prolactin Levels?

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Posted on Thu, 11 Dec 2014
Question: Hi.. My age is 24 and I have a history of irregular periods. Last year I was diagnosed with PCOS. My last period was on 23rd September. After a week of missing my periods my doctor suggested me to do a prolactin test. My prolactin level was 36. Also did a UPT. The Urine pregnancy test was negative. The doc. prescribed Modus tablets for 7 days (2 tablets is day). She also asked to repeat the prolactin tests after 10 days. As I am overweight consulted a nutritionist and started on a weight reduction routine 10 days back with 30 min daily workout and diet. I repeated my prolactin on 15th nov. And this time it has gone up to 67. Also my periods have not started even after 11 days of finishing Modus tablets. For the prolactin I consulted an endocrinologist who prescribed cabgoline.25mg (1 tablet a week for 1 month) . Yesterday I took my 2nd tablet. I am feeling a bit dizzy sometimes after taking the cabgoline and a bit acidic. I am really confused, can I be pregnant. Can my diet change,workout routine cause prolactin to be high. And can my periods be delayed because of the cabgoline. Also will taking cabgoline have any affect on the foetus if I am pregnant.
The doctor has asked to a beta test in 4 days time. If that comes out to be negative, how should I go about it. Kindly advise.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
high prolactin cause irregular periods

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand your concern.
In my opinion cabgoline is given in case of increased prolactin levels. It has side effects like nausea,vomiting,hypo tension. So the dizziness is a side effect of medicine. Cabgolin wont delay the period.

Stress increases the prolactin levels but the changed diet and exercise will not show significant changes in level of prolactin.

As your urine pregnancy test is negative, chances of pregnancy might be less. But if at all you conceive while on cabgolin it doesn't harm the baby.

But as your prolactin level is 67 I advise you
-to get an Xray skull or
-CT scan done to exclude any pituitary tumors after discussing with your endocrinologist.

I am not diagnosing the condition but I feel it is worth to exclude the conditions as similar features are noticed in them too.

Sometimes when the prolactin levels come down to normal the ovulation restarts and periods might become regular. And till that time periods might be delayed. So continue the course till it gets normal. If no response with Modus tablets and your your blood tests are negative for pregnancy your gynaecologist might advise you combination of hormones for periods. But dont worry cabgolin is the preferred one for hyperprolactinaemia and mostly results might be good with 60 to 70% of pregnancy rate and 90% of ovulation.

Serial prolactin estimations might be done and also ultrasound to know PCOD status.

Continue the changed diet and exercise. Dont stop them as they are the best supportive treatment for PCOD.

And just relax as PCOD and hyperprolactinaemia are routinely seen and with apt treatment results might be good.

Good luck.

Best regards...
Dr.srilatha



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Srilatha Myaka (25 hours later)
Thank you doctor for the detailed answer. I have vomited a couple of times today after eating and also once yesterday. Also feeling dull. Are these also an affect of the cabgoline medicine. How long does it usually take to recover from these side affects.

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
They are the effects of cabgoline

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to healthcare magic.
Iam sorry for your condition.

In my opinion the vomitings and dullness are due to cabgoline sideeffects.

Cabgoline causes nausea ,indigestion vomitings and feeling of illness.

But sideeffects vary in different patients as each ones body reacts in a different way to the medicine.

The cabgoline medicine gets slowly eliminated from the body taking upto 3 days
so symptoms might be there till that time.

As you have just started the medicine,you may experience the symptoms till your body gets adjusted to the medicine.

Dont worry you can take supportive treatment like:-
1)Antiemetics like tab.vomikind twice daily.
2)Avoid spicy diet.
3)Take antacids.

Hope this satisfies your query.

Good luck.

Regards...Dr.srilatha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Srilatha Myaka (1 hour later)
Thanks a lot doctor. Yes I am feeling sick and not really feeling like eating anything. Hope it will subside as you have explained. Thanks for your help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
you welcome

Detailed Answer:
take more fluids and don't dehydrate
relax dear things will settle soon and you will start feeling better.
kindly rate our service and give your valuable comments.
regards
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Srilatha Myaka

OBGYN

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2422 Questions

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What Causes Elevated Prolactin Levels?

Brief Answer: high prolactin cause irregular periods Detailed Answer: Hello dear,welcome to healthcare magic. I understand your concern. In my opinion cabgoline is given in case of increased prolactin levels. It has side effects like nausea,vomiting,hypo tension. So the dizziness is a side effect of medicine. Cabgolin wont delay the period. Stress increases the prolactin levels but the changed diet and exercise will not show significant changes in level of prolactin. As your urine pregnancy test is negative, chances of pregnancy might be less. But if at all you conceive while on cabgolin it doesn't harm the baby. But as your prolactin level is 67 I advise you -to get an Xray skull or -CT scan done to exclude any pituitary tumors after discussing with your endocrinologist. I am not diagnosing the condition but I feel it is worth to exclude the conditions as similar features are noticed in them too. Sometimes when the prolactin levels come down to normal the ovulation restarts and periods might become regular. And till that time periods might be delayed. So continue the course till it gets normal. If no response with Modus tablets and your your blood tests are negative for pregnancy your gynaecologist might advise you combination of hormones for periods. But dont worry cabgolin is the preferred one for hyperprolactinaemia and mostly results might be good with 60 to 70% of pregnancy rate and 90% of ovulation. Serial prolactin estimations might be done and also ultrasound to know PCOD status. Continue the changed diet and exercise. Dont stop them as they are the best supportive treatment for PCOD. And just relax as PCOD and hyperprolactinaemia are routinely seen and with apt treatment results might be good. Good luck. Best regards... Dr.srilatha