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AIBU?

For googling about my blood test results?

30 replies

CompleteNoob · 10/02/2011 16:56

I am, obviously.

Prolactin is 733, which is slightly raised apparently. I've made an appt to speak to the doctor about it tomorrow but of course couldn't restrain my silly self from googling. Apparently it is a hormone most related to breastfeeding and being pregnant, neither of which I'm doing at the moment. The tests were to check my fertility.

I'm now really worried that my fertility might be affected. Although we haven't started trying yet I'm desperate to have children. The thought that I might not be able to is literally unbearable. On the way home from the doctors I had a little cry under my umbrella [loser], especially when I saw a cute baby.

I know this is massively self-indulgent when there are lots of people who have been trying for ages and still no luck, but there you go.

Would just like someone to pat me on the head and say 'There, there you mental , it will all be fine'

tia

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Report

Gemsy83 · 10/02/2011 17:00

Arghhh dont google! Please it just throws up the very worst case scenarios and is no clear help to anyone! I googled about my DD's constant scratching and rash and it brought up Non Hodgkins lymphoma FFS, its just eczema but some people could get so worried!

CompleteNoob · 10/02/2011 17:14

I know, I know, and I did it anyway. Going to be massively on edge until I talk to the doctor, and even then they will probably re-do them so I'll have to wait even longer. argh

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Foreverondiet · 10/02/2011 17:21

Try not to worry too much, there will be things (both medical & alternative) that can be done to lower it and find out why. As you say its only slightly raised.

FWIW 2 months before I conceived DD I had an internal scan diagnosing PCOS, the sonographer said, oh don't worry there's lots they can do for woman who can't have children nowadays! - I was also diagnosed at same time with underactive thyroid - both these conditions can lead to higher prolactin levels and both totally manageable (says she 3 children later).

wayoftheworld · 10/02/2011 17:27

Just relax it will happen. There is no reason for you to believe it's not possible. And once you have the kids, they will be with you for the rest of your life...so chill!!

CompleteNoob · 10/02/2011 18:03

Thanks all, that's what I need to hear.

I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't have children, probably something silly.

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Gleekfreak · 10/02/2011 18:15

Please don't panic about things just yet! And please, if you're really thinking that you'd "do something silly" if children didn't come along, then maybe it would be good to talk to someone about your feelings? Take care.

CompleteNoob · 10/02/2011 18:27

I know, Gleekfreak. Honestly, to me, having children is 75% the point of me being alive (only me though, not other people). I adore babies and small children and can play with them for hours without getting bored. I can't imagine a life without having my own. I've always wanted a 'proper' family, which I didn't have growing up.

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Casserole · 10/02/2011 18:59

Complete I really think you ought to take some time to work through those feelings before you have your family. What you are saying is just not healthy. And it's not fair to put all that on your future children.

CompleteNoob · 10/02/2011 19:10

Really? But isn't it natural to really want children, if you want them (iyswim)?

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HappySeven · 10/02/2011 19:12

Please don't worry, a raised prolactin level is remarkably common and from what I know (not much!) yours doesn't sound very high.

Two friends also have raised prolactin. One of them went on medication to reduce the level and conceived very quickly. She now has two children, the other is also starting a family and her doctor is not concerned about the prolactin.

I hope your doctor is reassuring tomorrow.

Olivetti · 10/02/2011 19:14

It is natural to really want them, but I agree with Casserole, it's not good to load all of your hopes and expectations for life on them. Children are the most wonderful gift in the world, but they aren't here to give us 100% fulfilment for life - apart from anything else, if you look after them well, you'll be giving them the confidence and independence to leave you one day!

CompleteNoob · 10/02/2011 19:19

Well of course I know that Olivetti! But most people's DC are the centre of their world, aren't they? Unique love and all that?

Thanks HappySeven, that sounds reassuring. I have very regular periods so I hope that means something.

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AnyoneforTurps · 10/02/2011 19:19

I'm not going to diagnose you over t'interweb - that way madness lies for us both . What I would say as a doctor is that it is extremely common for all sorts of blood results to be slightly high or low. With a few exceptions (prolactin isn't one of them) the so-called normal range for blood test results is pretty arbitrary and even differs from one hospital to another. Often a slightly high or low result means absolutely nothing.

Think of it like height. Some people are abnormally tall or short but in most cases they have nothing wrong with them just because they are slightly outside the range we consider normal.

And if you can't Googling, go to this site www.patient.co.uk - it's an NHS site so should be trustworthy.

BlooferLady · 10/02/2011 19:26

Oh for the love of God. After 1/2 bottle of wine and a 13 month failure to conceive (with a perfectly normal hormone level, as a matter of fact) I can confirm YABU, and probably need a hobby.

Olivetti · 10/02/2011 19:27

Complete - they are, but I'm not sure it's good if they are "75% reason for you living" before you've had them. It kind of sounds as though you want them to sort something out for you, and that's too much to put on new lives. It is a unique love, but there are other loves that are just as special, and many other reasons for being alive. But I genuinely wish you all the very best and hope your results are fine, and you go on to have the family you want. And stop googling!! I've done that so many times and ended up in a panic, only to have got it completely wrong.

CompleteNoob · 10/02/2011 19:27

Ahh thanks for that AnyoneforTurps, I am breathing easier now. I don't have any other indicators for infertility so hopefully there won't be a problem. I do get very nervous before blood tests as I am scared of needles - Dr Google says that can alter the effect sometimes? hmm. Nearly over the needle phobia though and hoping to give blood soon to celebrate the fact!

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CompleteNoob · 10/02/2011 19:28

Thanks Bloofer, I hope you get knocked up soon

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zukiecat · 10/02/2011 19:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BlooferLady · 10/02/2011 19:53

Oh bless you all for being nice to a bitter old sot - best of luck to you all as well. [hic]

thirtysomething · 10/02/2011 19:53

Please don't worry. i was diagnosed with v. high prolactin, and PCOS and told due to slightly twisted ovary as well that Clomid/IVF would be my only options. I then relaxed about trying the natural way for 6 weeks whilst I waited to start clomid - never needed too as had a little DS in my tummy by then!

So whatever the reason was for the prolactin it didn't stop me conceiving

littlebylittle · 10/02/2011 19:57

I had fertility treatment, was male problem but I had all the tests anyway. Prolactin was raised, gp wasn't happy for us to go ahead til we'd seen endocrinologist. Wait was too long, saw them privately, he was unconcerned because all other tests fine, I was ovulating normally. We now have two dc, conceived quickly and third on the way.

Casserole · 10/02/2011 21:35

Complete - to say that having children is 75% of your reason for living, and that if you couldn't have them, you'd do something silly? No, I don't think that level of need is the healthiest state to be in, especially before you've even started trying.

But I wish you all the very best.

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maighdlin · 10/02/2011 22:26

Not to scare you but I have two sisters with an adrenal prolactinoma, tumour for the lay person that causes elevated prolactin levels, so no periods etc. After waiting for literally years about it my eldest sister went to doc was referred and eventually diagnosed, after 4 months of tablets her levels are back to normal and she has had her first period in over two years.

My other sister though has had complications. she was one of the 1 in 100,000 the tablets wouldn't work for and she had surgery to remove it and as a complication has developed Addison's disease, so her adrenal gland does not produce cortisol, which can cause major problems.

A prolactinoma really is the worst case scenario, adrenal adenomas are much more common than you would think and easily treated. My other sister seems to be a very very rare exception, she even has endocrine consultants stumped.

(I swear i'm trying to tell you you will be fine, im just telling you in a weird way)

Ellie78 · 10/02/2011 22:38

Please don't worry too much. For what it's worth I was diagnosed with hyperprolactinaemia (with pituitary adenoma) in 2002. Was given some tablets (cebergoline) to lower levels and am about to give birth to baby number 2 any day now (fingers crossed!) Just needed the drugs to regulate my cycles and conceive but other than that it has caused me no problems at all. Funnily enough my best friend has the same thing and also has 2 beautiful babies. Please try not to worry as in the majority of cases it is nothing to worry about and with some (or maybe even no) medication you will be able to conceive normally. For what it's worth I think the 'normal' range is up to 600 so you are only just over that.
Hope that makes you feel a bit better. And try to avoid google from now on

HappySeven · 11/02/2011 20:16

How did you get on?

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