Finally an answer!! - overactive pituitary... any fellow sufferers??

[emeraldgirl1]

Finally, I've been told it isn't 'all in my head' or 'down to stress' - my absent periods are definitely caused by an overactive pituitary gland. I'm having some further tests before the specialist decides which of two drugs to put me on.

Anyone know anything about either of the drugs, and side effects?

And anyone had a successful pregnancy with this condition?

I'm feeling oddly upbeat in many ways, it's just so great to get a clinical reason for something that i knew was wrong, but kept getting dismissed...

Thanks so much!!

No idea about the drugs or anything, but well done on finally getting an answer

bumping for you....

Thank you!!

Emeraldgirl1, hello, I was just wondering how you came to be diagnosed with an overactive pituatary gland? I only ask as a friend of mine has had no period for 8 months now, she's had lots of tests etc and they have come up with nothing so far. I wondered if there may be some advice you could give so I could pass it on to her!

Many thanks

My friend has a tumour on her pituitary gland, and has been having treatment for the last three years or so. She fell pregnant after about a year of treatment. Her pregnancy was normal, although she had lots of monitoring and her drugs had to be changed to one considered safer for pregnancy. She coulnd't bf tho - the drugs suppressed her hormones so her milk never came in.

I have a microprolactinoma which is a tiny overgrowth on the part of my pituitary which produces prolactin (the hormone that makes you lactate). I've been taking Cabergoline on and off since I was 17 (long before I had babies) and I had to take it again after having DD1 to restart my periods before I could get pg with DD2.

Do you know which part of your pituitary is affected?

Barrenbrook - hi... the tests I had were at first just a basic blood test to test for PCOS - I think it's just a basic female fertility hormones test but I'm sure a doctor would know. That came back saying that I had a high level of prolactin, which the GP said I should have checked by a specialist. He then said that I should have an MRI of my pituitary, which is where prolactin comes from, plus a repeat blood test on CD3, to double-check that the prolactin result was not a one-off.
It was the MRI and the blood tests that have confirmed I have an overactive pituitary gland.
As far as my symptoms go, I was convinced it was PCOS despite having few if any other obvious PCOS 'symptoms'. I have had very irregular periods for a good couple of years now - roughly every 7 weeks. As I want to start ttc, I thought I should get this checked out as I have absolutely no idea when am ovulating etc. Maybe your friend should ask for an MRI of the pituitary?

Thanks cakeforbrains and Mossy for info!! Don't know which part of pituitary is affected, I didn't know that there were different parts... will ask... Thanks so much for the info though, it all helps.

emeraldgirl, you sound exactly the same as I was, the only difference was that my first symptom was producing milk (a big surprise as a childless 17 year old!). There are 2 different drugs that I could take I think, Cabergoline is what I had but I think there's another one which is more suitable for people who are TTC. In my case it worked very quickly, only a few weeks before I was ovulationg properly again.

Do you know what your prolactin levels were when you had them tested?

Hi

I was diagnosed with a prolactinoma in 2006. I was leaking milk, mid cycle bleeding and bad headaches. I had blood tests and MRI which confirmed it. I was given Cabergoline to take, which was very effective in reducing my prolactin. It won't cure the issue. Side effects - felt spaced out and tired but was fine when I got used to them.

I conceived twice´- first took a year but I wasn't actively trying every month aroundovulation time. 2nd time took 3 months.

I was told by doc that Cabergoline increases fertility and hopefully you won't have problems getting pregnant.

emeraldgirl, thank you, I shall pass it on to her and hopefully it will point the Doctors in the right direction.

Good luck with the TTC