Hertility results - high prolactin and AMH

[TruthUnwinding]

Hello. I posted about Hertility tests last week, thank you so much for your guidance!

I have had 2 big pregnancy losses in the past 18 months (TFMR at 14 weeks due to patau syndrome, and MMC at 10 weeks - baby stopped growing at 6 weeks) and 2 chemical pregnancies. So I decided to do a Hertility test.

I got my results 8 days after testing, which is amazing.

My results show high AMH (28.18) where the normal range is between 01.29 and 20.

My prolactin results are off the scale (1810) - normal range is between 102 and 496.

Both can indicate PCOS, I am 36 and otherwise quite healthy. The Hertility report suggests the prolactin could be stress. (I am a lecturer and 4 pregnancies losses in 18 months can do that to a person...)

I have a fertility clinic meeting next week, but of course my brain will do a lot of gymnastics between now and then. Does anyone have experience of similar results , and had a successful pregnancy?

I feel so much better after having some results back, this at least feels like a way forward.

I had a blood test come back as excessive prolactin, so I was referred to endocrinology. Had some further tests ( loods, ultrasound) and it did result in a PCOS diagnosis in the end. Endocrinology were able to refer us straight to the fertility clinic.

DD1 was conceived by fertility treatment (letrozole and metformin) and then 3yrs later, DD2 was natural conception after I got my PCOS symptoms under control (basically I lost over 10% of my body weight).

Do you have any PCOS symptoms? Irregular cycles, trouble losing weight, excessive hair etc?

Sorry for your losses 💐

Hello. Ah that is great, thank you for telling me your story! It's great that you have 2 kids. That is very heartening.

My cycles are generally between 28 days and 33 days, though they have been messed around quite a bit with my pregnancy losses. It's closer to 28 days again now.

Weight wise, my BMI is in the normal range but the pregnancies have affected my weight. Usually my BMI is at 20 and now it's 21.9. (Average is 18.5 - 25).
Ultimately, I could afford to lose weight if that was identified as an issue.

I have thinning hair on my temples and hair on my chin/face.

Just bumping this to see if anyone else has experienced this, and been able to conceive. <3 Would really help me out!

I don’t have any answers for you I’m afraid but bumping in solidarity as I’ve just had similar results from Hertility with high prolactin and high AMH although my prolactin is 950 so not as high as yours and AMH 26. My plan is to ask the GP to repeat the bloods to check prolactin but I whilst I have regular periods, they’ve got a lot lighter in recent months and I’ve also started to get some vaginal dryness which are both apparently symptoms of high prolactin.

Have you had your fertility meeting or spoken to the GP about your results?

From what I’ve seen the AMH results are just borderline high and a lot of trusts wouldn’t class them as high for fertility so hopefully that’s not too much of an issue!

I had a blood test this year which showed a prolactin of 2236. My AMH was normal. I never suspected PCOS with myself but I did find out I had a benign pituitary adenoma/tumour. I was told it could be stress but I read the prolactin was likely to not be as high as mine was due to stress alone. A MRI confirmed pituitary dysfunction. Commenced on a tablet to bring the prolactin to normal range and conceived within 6 weeks. Had been TTC for 10 months with a very short luteal phase. Sadly did miscarry but I’m 39 so that could have been a factor or just bad luck. A referral to endocrinology should be able to diagnose the issue and if hormones corrected hopefully you’ll conceive and carry to term. Good luck

Hello. Oh interesting that you had your results at a similar time. Did you find it stressful doing the test? I did it at 5am before a 8am MRI (these things just line up really awkwardly sometimes), and had to 'milk' 3 fingers for blood because my cuts seemed to heal up really quickly. I am wondering if the stress of doing the test made my prolactin unusually high, and possibly the same for you?

Have you had a meeting with a fertility clinic meeting? I had mine last Wednesday and they said my AMH is normal for their range (and could be a positive thing). They are going to send me for more tests for more hormonal levels, re-do the prolactin and give me a HSG (hysterosalpingogram) which sounds horrid but will check for any blockages.

Oh wow that is very high prolactin! It is great that you were able to bring the prolactin to a normal range. I'm sorry that you miscarried but I'm hoping that you have more luck in future. At the moment, the fertility clinic are going to do more tests (including repeating the prolactin) and checking for blockages in my fallopian tubes. If the prolactin is still high they will send me to the endocrinologist. Good luck to you too <3

Funnily enough I did mine first thing (6am) and had to milk my fingers which I think could definitely be part of the issue. I’m not under a fertility clinic as I’ve only just started trying again after an mc a couple of years ago. But I saw the GP who got me in for an appointment straight away when I sent them the Hertility labs. He said the AMH was absolutely fine but is going to retest the prolactin and some other bits like thyroid antibodies which is really good. Just got to wait a couple of weeks to do the test now!

I’ve had a hycoSy before and my tubes were clear thankfully. It’s not the most fun but it wasn’t too bad, fingers crossed it gives you a good result and you get some answers from your bloods.

I don’t mind knowing if something is wrong it’s just the unknown bit I struggle with!

@TruthUnwinding I just thought I’d let you know I had the results of my blood tests back from the GP. My prolactin is absolutely fine: 266!

My TSH which had also come back high on Hertility was also fine, good in fact.

I’m pretty upset with Hertility tbh, I know results can fluctuate a little bit but the difference in prolactin levels is pretty dramatic and the GP said the most likely reason is an error in the Hertility test. It caused quite a bit of worry for me and all unnecessary.

I’ve contacted them so will see what they say. I hope all goes well with your tests.

Hi OP, I just found this post and wondered how you were getting on? I had a similar journey. Finally got pregnant at 38, after 4yrs TTC. Unfortunately the baby also had patau syndrome and I chose TFMR. Another year TTC and pregnant again, but MC at 7 weeks. I then had IVF, and despite seeing a heartbeat at 8 weeks, I then MC at 9 weeks! Further rounds of IVF and no further pregnancies. We stopped TTC a few years ago, because I was 43 by then. We had cause for sub-fertility ever found. My AMH was very good for my age. The only thing I was told was that my eggs were getting old!

Are you in the UK? Can I ask why you'd go to hertility? After 4 losses, the NHS should have been doing fertility checks for you. I had a hycosy, my tubes were clear and it was fine. I took 2 paracetamol beforehand, and wore a pantyliner, but only had a tiny speck of pink afterwards. I've had worse smear tests and didn't find it painful at all. The only part that was odd, was the Dr squirted the water inside, it then came out and ran down over my anus and was very tickly and unexpected 😆

After the 1st baby, did you and your partner have karyotyping done to check for a translocation? We did and were both clear. Sorry if TMI, but if you did have another loss, they will do genetic testing on it. With my 3rd one, I had a sterile container from a pharmacy and took the foetus to the EPU. (I'd called them beforehand). They can't always do genetic testing, but in my case, they could. That pregnancy had only 1 chromosone 22 from memory- which again, pointed to older eggs!

I'm afraid I can't help regarding the prolactin, as have no idea if I had that tested or what the reading was. Wishing you all the best and happy to answer in questions you have x

That is very good to know about the HSG. That is very reassuring.

Glad that your AMH and prolactin levels were ok. I am getting mine redone next week so I can update with more info then.

Hello,

I'm okay, thank you for checking in! How are you?

I'm really sorry to hear about all of your losses. All pregnancy losses are horrid but TFMR's in particular are so heartbreaking. It is also really frustrating when there is no logical reason for it, it must have been hard to deal with.

I took the Hertility test in advance of my fertility clinic meeting, so I could present them with details of my AMH and thyroid levels. I guess I just wanted to get an idea of my hormones before I went to the clinic. They are basically going to repeat the tests but its good to know that some of my other hormone levels are ok. I am in the UK yes :)

After the TFMR of Tim (my baby with Patau), we did have our DNA tested. Is this the same thing? They found that we were not carriers of Patau syndrome. I had to give birth to the foetus which was incredibly difficult, especially as my care in the hospital was diabolical. I am assuming you must also have had to deliver the foetus for them to test it? If so I am sorry that you had to go through that.

I am going to keep TTC for now and see how I get on. I've been given folic acid 5mg which is actually making me feel better in myself!

I'm sorry for your loss of Tim and the others
To answer your question about the TFMR, I used to live/work abroad part of each year and was there at the time. Sadly, I feel the care was much better than I've had since in the UK with the rest of my pregnancy losses. I'd paid privately for the NIPT due to being 38 at the time, and got the results at 12 weeks. I was referred to the hospital and stayed overnight on a gynae ward. I assumed I'd have a surgical procedure, but they recommended medical, so I too had to deliver the foetus. I'm sure DNA testing can still be done if surgical, but I'm sure there is a reason that medical was suggested.

I wasn't on MN at the time, but have since learnt a huge amount on here. I too would absolutely be TTC and continuing if in was in your shoes. Have you checked if any IVF is available in your area if needed? Some counties allow 3 rounds, some none and many in between (on the NHS that is). Have you both had full fertility screening as yet? Semen analysis, thyroid, STI's etc?

Try metformin for pcos.

@TruthUnwinding hello, do you mind me asking, was your appt through Hertility or separate (private or nhs?). It’s hard working out what order and how to do things. I know Hertility offer more than tests but haven’t used it.

Re the blood tests, ive done quite a few and they get easier and you get the knack! Lots of water, hot shower, prick the side of your finger not in the middle, massaging your hand and not touching the pricked bit. At first I struggled and ended up using 3 fingers and lots of sore bruises, I think part of it is being tense trying to get the blood and when you relax and learn a technique it comes more easily ☺️

Hello. My fertility appointment was with the NHS and I got my hertility test to give me a clearer picture before I went in.

Those are really good tips! I hadn't thought of having a hot shower or pricking at the side instead of the top. I definitely had to use 3 fingers for my test, I was so stressed doing it haha. Thankfully I am being retested and will have it done by a professional NHS nurse on Friday! Also an ultrasound and HSG.

You shoukd get a refund that is so bad.

I did a BUPA orivate health screening and it flagged wo many things but repeats at Gp showed barely any issues. (Only 2)

Yes I got a retest from fertility clinic 6 months later and all was normal 🤷‍♀️

I think it may have been the stress of the actual finger blood draw 😂