“Marginally raised prolactin levels”

[Bubblegum89]

Can someone explain what that means? I had blood work done a couple of months ago and my prolactin levels were slightly high. I did a repeat test last week and I just got my results and it said it was still “marginally high.” I didn’t speak to the doctor as she hasn’t requested a callback and has made a note that I’m already being referred to the fertility clinic. What can cause raised levels of prolactin? I don’t seem to have any “symptoms” of anything indicating there’s something wrong and my dr obviously doesn’t think I’m at death’s door or anything but I’m curious as to why it’s remained high.

I had similar a few months ago. Apparently if the levels are too high then it can prevent ovulation as your body thinks it’s pregnant. However, not sure if “marginally high” would be enough to cause that. Did you get the actual figure? I went back for a repeat test a couple of weeks later and prolactin levels were fine. Guess it was just one of those things

I didn’t get the actual figure no, but I did had tests to check for ovulation and it was confirmed I am ovulating. I just found it strange that they’ve been high both times, I expected it to be normal the second time round. I did google but none of the reasons for raised levels seems to apply and I can’t find any “simple”’explanations. Maybe it is just one of those things

Well that’s good that you are still ovulating. I’m not too sure about it tbh, I was similarly confused when my levels were slightly raised the first time I was tested! Guess our bodies just like to throw us these curveballs....

It can be caused by so many things, including how recently you last ate.

Prolactin is only an issue if you aren’t ovulating (mine is always marginally high when they test me because I don’t eat breakfast).

It can also be caused be stress - like if you have to go to the doctor’s surgery to give blood.

Nothing to worry about

Ah that’s okay then. Blood tests don’t bother me in the slightest so it won’t have been stress but both tests were done early morning before I’d eaten so I guess it could be that! I read that it can be linked to a small tumour in the pituitary gland but I don’t have any symptoms of that other than the raised prolactin levels. Thanks ladies!

Yeah, I googled that too when I first got my results!

If you have that, your prolactin levels are sky high. Like - way more than marginally raised

Ah okay. It’s most likely due to maybe the fact I hadn’t eaten or drank anything before the tests, seems the most obvious reason!

I have a prolactinoma and my levels were always just 'marginally raised' although I wasn't having any periods so wasn't ovulating.

The blood test I had came back as “consistent with ovulation” but I’m no expert so I don’t know if they could have been wrong and I’m not ovulating. I do have periods but they’re pretty pathetic. Maybe a couple of hours of red blood and then 2-3 days of brown sludgy crap lol. I probably am ovulating and the prolactin levels are just coincidence but I guess I’ll have to wait and see what the fertility clinic say

Bubblegum are you me?! Have the same shitty periods and slightly high prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone release by the pituitary gland and is responsible for lactation. It also suppresses ovulation, which is why breast feeding is often claimed to be a form of contraception. As well as being affected by eating and stress, it can also be increased by touching your nipples (mad!). I was told not to worry about it and that they rarely test for it these days as long as you are found to be ovulating. I am now on cycle 25 of ttc though, so figure there must be something going on even if all the tests have come out normal. Sorry, probably not all that helpful, but you are not alone! Good luck with the fertility doc, fingers crossed you'll get your bfp soon

Thank you snarky it’s all so confusing, I thought after a year of ttc I’d have figured everything out then something else comes along and I’m like “okay wtf is this now..?” Lol. I guess I’ll have to just be patient. Very difficult for me tbh! 25 months is a long time :( I hope you get your bfp soon