TTC - raised prolactin

[ELFxx]

Hi, I have been TTC for 2 years and was referred last week by the Doctors to see an Endocrinologist as the doctor blood tests come back as moderately high prolactin (600-700).

i am wondering whether i could ask my GP Doctor if they can put my on Cabergoline now, or whether to have to wait for the Endocrinologist appointment.

I initially approached by GP to enquire about IVF but have been referred to Endocrinologist. I am 37 in August, my other hormones came back as normal (apart from Prolactin) but AMH was 5.6 pmol when i did a test through Hertility which concerns me as i have read the NHS criteria which says AMH should be 5.4 or above to be NHS funded. Im worried that my level might drop over the next couple of months and i wont meet the criteria.

xx

Hey - not sure if that’s a thing specific to your local area but my AMH is lower than yours and I am doing IVF through the NHS. I’d probably say go to the endocrinologist but also ask your doctor to refer you for IVF now because of your age (assuming you’ve been trying for a while already). No shade on the age, I’m the same age as you 😊 just your fertility drops off a cliff at our age sadly xx

@ELFxx I also had raised prolactin levels (over 1200). I'd already been ttc for a good few years before I was aware this was a issue that required to be addressed. My GP referred me to an NHS endocrinologist however the waiting time was months and months (post covid).

To speed the process up, I went to see a private endocrinologist. I required only one consultation costing approx £200-300. She wrote to my GP requesting they prescribe me the appropriate medication and take over my care. I was able to start the meds within a week and the GP carried out a couple of blood tests to ensure my level was decreasing. It only took around 3 months for my prolactin level to return to normal range so by the time I was seen by the NHS endocrinologist, all I required was to be monitored.

You may need am MRI of your pituitary gland prior to starting the meds, which may delay you being able to start the treatment. Long story short, I'd already had this prior to being made aware I needed to see an endocrinologist to treat the high prolactin level.

I hope that all makes sense.

I’m on cabergoline and my GP wasn’t able to prescribe, I had to go through endocrinologist. As PP suggests, if you want it quickly it might be a good idea to go private. My prolactin levels returned to normal (about 150) within six weeks on it - it works quickly. Good luck

Thank you all. Sorry if this sounds stupid.. Does the Endocrinologist give you the perscription for Cabergoline, or does it then go back to the GP to give you the perscription based on the Endocrinologists advise...if that makes sense? Wondering how it would work going private..

As my Prolactin is 610, wonder whether
this would be considered high enough for medication ( i know it is higher than in range but it can be a lot higher and i do have regular periods).

thanks all xxx

Hi there,
I had a raised prolactin and I was sent for MRI scan. They discovered a benign tumour in my pituitary gland and gave me 0.25 mg of cabergoline per week. I went straight to a private clinic after the scan as there was a waiting time with the endocrinologist. The clinic prescribed me meds for 6 months after which I switched to NHS.

I am currently undergoing IVF. Have very low AMH and no success till now. It’s such a difficult journey.
i would say start IVF asap.

@ELFxx

In my case the GP prescribed the medication based upon the private endocrinologist's recommendation. I was prescribed quinagolide, and took 150mg every evening. I was advised to continue on the medication until a positive pregnancy test was obtained.

I was not allowed to start IVF until my prolactin was down to a normal level.

I also have the benign tumour in my pituitary gland. When TTC my son, my levels were around the 600
mark too. I went on Bromocriptine and conceived that month. Even though 600 wasn’t deemed that high, my new consultant thinks I wasn’t ovulating before I was on the meds. Your Endocrinologist will write to doctor to recommend the dosage etc and then the GP prescribes. They won’t prescribe without an endocrinologist telling them
to.

This time I am on Cabergoline - as suggested by new endocrinologist and the GP gives me every eight weeks. My prolactin levels are very low now, just need to sort out the other stuff!

@Piippa that’s right. All your hormones should be in the right range before you start IVF. Usually the clinics will check this and also do a baseline scan before starting IVF.