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Have Hyperprolactinaemia Due To Pituitary Macroadenoma. On Dostinex. Gynaecomastia And Weakness Returned. How To Help Myself?
Question: Hi,
I have hyperprolactinaemia due to pituitary macroadenoma. My doctor put me on Dostinex 0.5mg course (2 bills per week). After the first two weeks of treatment, I felt of little improvements (decreased gynaecomastia and increased libido and activity). But on the third week, I felt bad again (libido vanished and gynaecomastia and weakness returned).
My next blood test is next week and I'm worried of the prolactin level not being affected. So, I'm wondering if there is anything I can do help lowering the prolactin in blood by, for example, taking more Dostinex or having some other medicine?
Thank you.
I have hyperprolactinaemia due to pituitary macroadenoma. My doctor put me on Dostinex 0.5mg course (2 bills per week). After the first two weeks of treatment, I felt of little improvements (decreased gynaecomastia and increased libido and activity). But on the third week, I felt bad again (libido vanished and gynaecomastia and weakness returned).
My next blood test is next week and I'm worried of the prolactin level not being affected. So, I'm wondering if there is anything I can do help lowering the prolactin in blood by, for example, taking more Dostinex or having some other medicine?
Thank you.
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
I have perused your attached reports.
First of all, you must be under the care of a trained endocrinologist only.
It is important to have further blood tests for Insulin like Growth Factor – 1 (IGF 1) and 8 am serum cortisol, and also a 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test to rule out 'Cushing's syndrome'
It is likely that the diagnosis is correct i.e., Macroprolactinoma causing hyperprolactinemia and consequently hypogonadism (low testosterone). Taking dostinex is the correct treatment choice for this condition and one can expect remarkable improvement in prolactin levels after couple months on this medication and progressively over time the tumor size should also shrink.
A repeat MRI in 3-6 months is desirable especially after prolactin levels have fully normalized . Dostinex dose can be increased to upto 1mg twice weekly. Once prolactin levels return to normal, testosterone levels are expected to normalize as well.
In the long term, dostinex can be continued for upto 2 years after which the treating endocrinologist may wish to consider a trial of withdrawing this medicine.
I understand this is concerning to you. But do not worry. We should be able to handle it effectively.
Hope this answers your query. Should you have any further queries, I will be glad to assist you further.
Regards
Thanks for the query.
I have perused your attached reports.
First of all, you must be under the care of a trained endocrinologist only.
It is important to have further blood tests for Insulin like Growth Factor – 1 (IGF 1) and 8 am serum cortisol, and also a 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test to rule out 'Cushing's syndrome'
It is likely that the diagnosis is correct i.e., Macroprolactinoma causing hyperprolactinemia and consequently hypogonadism (low testosterone). Taking dostinex is the correct treatment choice for this condition and one can expect remarkable improvement in prolactin levels after couple months on this medication and progressively over time the tumor size should also shrink.
A repeat MRI in 3-6 months is desirable especially after prolactin levels have fully normalized . Dostinex dose can be increased to upto 1mg twice weekly. Once prolactin levels return to normal, testosterone levels are expected to normalize as well.
In the long term, dostinex can be continued for upto 2 years after which the treating endocrinologist may wish to consider a trial of withdrawing this medicine.
I understand this is concerning to you. But do not worry. We should be able to handle it effectively.
Hope this answers your query. Should you have any further queries, I will be glad to assist you further.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you so much doctor for your detailed answer. I'll do the blood tests you recommended and show them to my endocrinologist.
The report LAB_Test_2.pdf, I have attached, shows low free T4 and normal TSH. Does this mean I have problem with my Thyroid as well?
Best regards.
The report LAB_Test_2.pdf, I have attached, shows low free T4 and normal TSH. Does this mean I have problem with my Thyroid as well?
Best regards.
Hello again Techana,
Thank you for writing back.
I have seen your report.
That is a possibility. That is precisely why you will need a diligent evaluation by an endocrinologist.
He or she will likely order the following thyroid blood tests to further assess the thyroid status : Total T3, Total T4, T3 resin uptake. Aside from this, in the work up of hyperprolactinemia, some endocrinologists order 'prolactin with dilution' to rule out a complex laboratory concept called 'hook effect'.
Hope this information will be of help. Please accept this answer if you have no further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Best regards.
Thank you for writing back.
I have seen your report.
That is a possibility. That is precisely why you will need a diligent evaluation by an endocrinologist.
He or she will likely order the following thyroid blood tests to further assess the thyroid status : Total T3, Total T4, T3 resin uptake. Aside from this, in the work up of hyperprolactinemia, some endocrinologists order 'prolactin with dilution' to rule out a complex laboratory concept called 'hook effect'.
Hope this information will be of help. Please accept this answer if you have no further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Best regards.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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