I feel awful. I am a 40 year old woman, and for the last three years I have been lactating, gained 20 pounds, and lost almost all of my hair. I also sleep 10+ hours a day, so I have hypersomnia. My reproductive endocrinologist said it could be from my thyroid, so he put me on 60mg of armour. My prolactin is elevated but very slightly- and my insurance will not approve an MRI of my brain because lactation for a woman “isn’t abnormal” and my levels aren’t high enough to warrant an MRI. I cry almost every day. I don’t feel well and nobody will help me. I have these compulsive shivers too, once every few days. My entire body feels swollen. What could possibly be wrong?
I also have had a mammogram, which showed I have dense breasts but nothing more. All other hormones are within normal range- I thought I might be going into menopause but my doctor says no.
My AMH is pretty low- 0.8
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Peri-menopause can start as early as your symptoms started. I have high prolactin and lactated for 2 years. Your doctor’s office coded something wrong with the MRI request because while lactation is normal for women, it’s not normal without a pregnancy and has a name.
I had to flat out tell my endocrinologist that if she didn’t offer me a medication to lower the prolactin levels or otherwise help that I needed it noted in the file that she was refusing to offer treatment. My MRI didn’t show any kind of tumor, but cabergoline brought my levels down and helped the symptoms. HRT helped me with the rest of the symptoms of peri-menopause.
Hit up menopause sub, there is a wiki is at the top that has TONS of information, including how to get doctors to listen
I know you said hormone levels are balanced but have they ruled out Prolactinoma, a benign tumor of the pituitary gland? Maybe see another doctor. Its ridiculous you cant get an MRI done.
Something is not right and you have to figure it out. Something MUST be wrong with your hormones.
Hey OP, I’m making a quick comment to repeat what others have said about prolactInoma. I had a pretty big brain tumor with your exact symptoms removed in December. It was found via MRI. Insurance should cover it if your prolactin is over 25+ range. You likely don’t have menopause, none of these are symptoms of it anyway. When was your last period? How’s your anxiety? Those are also key components with lactation and hair loss. How’s your vision? I nearly went blind..hit up my inbox if you wanna chat. I’ll try to help. If it’s a tumor, getting it removed via surgery or through meds (cab) is the way to go. It’s literally saved my life and my bloodwork was only “elevated”.
I don’t have any answers but this is not in the realm of normal and I’m so angry that you aren’t being listened to.
When I started lactating out of nowhere, it turned out to be a tumor on my pituitary gland.
I’m an endocrinologist. Not your endocrinologist.
Why the F would they put you on armour thyroid instead of regular thyroid hormone as first choice? That is insane. You never know exactly how much t4 and t3 is in it and the ratio between them is off. Humans are not pigs. Is it a real physician or an NP/PA?
Did they test your other pituitary hormones for under or overproduction? It doesn’t have to be prolactinoma, a pituitary tumor pressing on your pituitary stalk will also elevate prolactin.
Are you on an SSRI? I started lactating while on one.
Are you on any medication? Latuda made me lactate
You and your doctor need to write an appeal letter. I am sure you have symptoms like vertigo, cognitive discussion, blurry vision, and memory issues.