HIGH Prolactin, LOW FSH & lh

[doggone]

Posted in the HRT forum a few days ago, but didn't get any response. I hope someone here can help.
Here's a link to my post there that has my complete blood test attached...

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/l.../blood-test-results-how-does-look-682327.html

Have already started TRT, so missed the chance to get true baselines, but wanted to get some information for reference as I progress.
History and stats are in an earlier post, but to recap…
48 Y/O started with 241 Test level.
Testim Gel for 3 months and level dropped to 91 while on.
Switched to test e injections 11/11/09 100mg/week
Was not happy with the short list of tests my Dr. has planned in Feb, so I had tests run through private lab. Blood was drawn on the morning of the 7th day after 100mg Test injection (12/23/09).

It's 6-8 weeks until my next Dr's appointment and I'd like some suggestions about what needs immediate attention, what can wait, and what's acceptable on TRT.

FSH - follicle stimulating hormone - , Serum 0.3 mIU/mL .....1.5-12.4 LOW
lh - leutenizing hormone - , SLH 0.1 mIU/mL .....1.7-8.6 LOW
Prolactin 19.6 ng/mL .....4.0-15.2 HIGH
testosterone, Serum 544 ng/dL .....280-800
Test % F&Wkly Bnd 27.0 % .....9.0-46.0
Test Free+W Bound 146.9 ng/dL ....40.0-250.0
Estradiol 26.9 pg/mL .....7.6-42.6
sex hormone binding globulin 24.7 nmol/L .....14.5-48.4
DHEA- Sulfate 212.9 ug/dL .....44.3-331.0
IGF-1 185 ng/mL .....94-252
T4 0.92 ng/dL .....0.82-1.77
TSH 2.38 uIU/mL .....0.45-4.5

Iron and TIBC
UIBC 393 ug/dL .....150-375 HIGH
Iron Saturation 9 % .....15-55 ALERT
Ferritin, Serum 3 ng/mL .....22-322 LOW
I started taking an iron supplement when I saw this, but don't konw if that's the right solution.

Glucose, Serum 115 mg/dL 65-99 HIGH

Thanks

 

[goal245]

The LH, FSH are low because you have been taking exogenous testosterone. There is nothing you can do about this.

Prolactin is probably high due to the testosterone. taking 400-600mg of vitamin b6 before bed should lower it.

low iron saturation could be a sign of iron deficiency anemia, a chronic infection, Advanced malignancy, Collagen-Vascular Disease, or kidney problems.

The high glucose level could an early sign of diabeties. You can buy a glucose monitor and take your sugar reading through out a couple of days to see if you may be diabetic.

I would say the only thing that needs the immediate attention is the glucose level which you should monitor.

The bad iron readings are not likely to be caused by the TRT and caused by something else.

 

[doggone]

Thank for the reply.
I haven't seen anyone post FSH and lh levels while on TRT or on cycle, so I was not sure they would be THIS low.
I understand HCG might help, but I'm not concerned about fertility (I've had a vasectomy) and what shrinkage I have is no big deal. Unless the lack of FSH and lh has other negative effects or long term problems.

Re: Prolactin - I have B6 in the supps I take, but not nearly that much. I saw this was a possible solution in other posts though, so I'll add B6 and see if that comes down by the time I take my Dr.s blood test next month.

Doesn't high prolactin counter act some of the physical and mental benefits of taking testosterone though?

 

[lartinos]

I would ask for a presciption for the prolactin level. Caber or selegiline will do the trick. B6 is crap for this purpose IMO. I'm sure it works for some.... I'm sure lots of weird shit works for people too lol

 

[DJ_UFO]

Hey ssofno, are you experiencing any symptom? like low libido, weakness or tireness?

 

[doggone]

I originally got on TRT a few months ago because of those very symptoms and have only felt a minor improvement. Not near what I was expecting or hoping for with T going from 241 to 544.

Since the blood test, I've bumped myself from 100 to 200mg/week and still not feeling much difference except finally seeing some strength gains.

Have also weaned myself off of the Cymbalta that my anti-TRT PCP put me on because I saw some reports it may increase Prolactin.

 

[DJ_UFO]

mmmh...is weird. Strenght gains is the last thing to worry about here. The positive effects you should be having is increased libido, great mood, good sense of well being, etc.. are you using ani anti depressant, anti anxiety or any other poison?

 

[doggone]

Yep. 6 months ago went to my Primary Dr with typical low T symptoms and requested blood tests.
(Looking back, this had been developing for years.)

Test came back at 241 so he put me on Cymbalta (anti-depresant / SSRI)... Sounds logical
Not what I wanted, but I didn't know better at the time until I found EF .
Found a Urologist that was more concerned with Test levels to prescribe TRT.

I've gradually dropped the Cymbalta over the last few days (after the recent blood test was taken). I've found a few articles that suggested Cymbalta might increase Prolactin.

Other than that, all I take is Multis, Glucosamine, ZMA.

 

[DJ_UFO]

I wouldn't be surprised if cymbalta is the reason for that...wait until you stop it and see if you feel the difference.

 

[doggone]

Getting off of this crap is harder than I thought. I didn't notice a whole lot of difference when I lowered my dosage way down, but when I dropped it completely, I got to feeling weird and jumpy.
Taking less and less each day now, so hopefully off in a few more days.

Curious to see what blood tests in 3 weeks look like.
If it's still high.....
Will Dostinex be the probable prescription?
Is that good or should I suggest something else?
Is that okay for long term use since I'll be using it with HRT and the high prolactin is not due to any other AAS use (I'm on Test only)?
Any idea what my target Prolactin level should be (besides just "in normal range")?

 

[Nelson Montana]

B6 at night can keep you up.

Caber for the prolactin after which the new LO-PROLAC supplement might be enough.

Folic acid to balance the UIBC. Lots of water. Aspirin.

Cut out all sugar.

Take UNLEASHED to lower SHBG and increase free testosterone.

Estro's a little high. Use POST CYCLE and Sustain and have adex on hand. Just 1/4 mg 2x's a week with the supps.

You should feel a lot better. Good luck.

 

[doggone]

Thanks everyone for the help so far.
I did start taking some additional B-6 spread out through the day and started having some sleeping problems (didn't make the connection - thanks). I realize that's not a long term cure. I'd go through a big bottle every 10 days if I tried to get near the suggested dose and there seem to be better solutions

Nelson - are you saying that once I knock Prolactin down to a manageable level that LO-PROLAC will keep it down or is it just that LO-PROLAC is not out yet so start with Caber and switch when LP is out?

I've got a bottle of Unleashed in the cabinet already, but was going to wait until after my next lab work to start it up. Wanted to get as clean results as I could for the tests he's running in 3 weeks.
I'll be picking up some Sustain Alpha (oral?) and Post Cycle between now and then too.

Adex is already on the way - although I didn't think I needed it for HRT, but figured I have it on hand for future needs.

 

[Nelson Montana]

Thanks everyone for the help so far.
I did start taking some additional B-6 spread out through the day and started having some sleeping problems (didn't make the connection - thanks). I realize that's not a long term cure. I'd go through a big bottle every 10 days if I tried to get near the suggested dose and there seem to be better solutions

Nelson - are you saying that once I knock Prolactin down to a manageable level that LO-PROLAC will keep it down or is it just that LO-PROLAC is not out yet so start with Caber and switch when LP is out?

I've got a bottle of Unleashed in the cabinet already, but was going to wait until after my next lab work to start it up. Wanted to get as clean results as I could for the tests he's running in 3 weeks.
I'll be picking up some Sustain Alpha (oral?) and Post Cycle between now and then too.

Adex is already on the way - although I didn't think I needed it for HRT, but figured I have it on hand for future needs.

Once you get prolactin down with caber the LO PROLAC may be all you need, but it won;t be ready for a little while yet so just go with caber and see how it goes.

The UNLEASHED won;t skew a blood test, other than raise FreeT and they probably won;t even test for that.

 

[doggone]

So...
UNLEASHED will reduce my SHBG and increase FREE testosterone and NOT effect my TOTAL Testosterone......?
POST CYCLE will reduce my Estrogen/Estrodiol but will NOT effect my TOTAL Testosterone.......?
These are both okay to start now before my next blood test since all I'm being tested for is Total Testosterone and Prolactin.

Sustain Alpha will increase my FSH and lh thus INCREASING my total Testosterone. Which is unwanted before my blood test.

Do I have that right?

My only question is... How does POST CYCLE reduce Estrogen?
- By preventing aromitization (thus effecting Total Test)?
- or by actually reducing existing Estrogen or it's blocking it's effects?

I want this next blood test for Total Test and Prolactin to come as close as possible to reflecting the Dr.s treatment (Test E 200mg E2W), but want to improve my situation however possible without screwing up what the DR is gdoing until he's satisfied with my prescription.

Thanks again !

 

[Nelson Montana]

So...
UNLEASHED will reduce my SHBG and increase FREE testosterone and NOT effect my TOTAL Testosterone......?

................................................

CORRECT


...............................................
POST CYCLE will reduce my Estrogen/Estrodiol but will NOT effect my TOTAL Testosterone.......?


...................................................


CORRECT.



.................................
These are both okay to start now before my next blood test since all I'm being tested for is Total Testosterone and Prolactin.

.......................................


YES, NO PROBLEMS.



.............................................

Sustain Alpha will increase my FSH and lh thus INCREASING my total Testosterone. Which is unwanted before my blood test.

..........................................


NOT SURE IF ALPHA WILL DO THIS IF YOU'RE ON HRT. HCGenerate WOULD BE A BETTER CHOICE.


.........................................................

Do I have that right?

My only question is... How does POST CYCLE reduce Estrogen?
- By preventing aromitization (thus effecting Total Test)?
- or by actually reducing existing Estrogen or it's blocking it's effects?

...................................................

BY REMOVING IT. THERE ARE 3 ANTI E'S IN POST CYCLE WHICH ONLY REMOVE THE "BAD" ESTRONES. THERE'S NO EFFECT ON TOTAL T. YOUR TOTAL ESTROGEN WILL COMES DOWN A LITTLE BUT YOU STILL MAY NEED A TINY BIT OF AROMASAN.


..................................................

I want this next blood test for Total Test and Prolactin to come as close as possible to reflecting the Dr.s treatment (Test E 200mg E2W), but want to improve my situation however possible without screwing up what the DR is gdoing until he's satisfied with my prescription.

............................................

THAT'S WHAT THESE SUPPS ARE DESIGNED TO DO. THEY WOK WITH YOUR BODY. IN THIS WAY YOU DON;T HAVE TO USE MORE DRUGS TO COUNTERACT THE EFFECTS OF OTHER DRUGS. THAT'S WHY "LO-PROLAC" IS SO COOL, BUT IT WON;T BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH. 2010

Thanks again !

.....

 

[mudbone5150]

I'd recommend pramipexole. Worked very well for me.

 

[doggone]

Re: HIGH Prolactin, LOW FSH & lh - UPDATE

Thanks again for all the suggestions.
Here's an update - probably another long post - sorry.

I started following some of the suggestions, but dropped back to only Dr. prescribed Test E dosage and a few OTC vitamins to see how my labs came back.
Then Doc wanted to run an experiment, so I stayed on his regiment only for another month.
(FYI - I dropped the Cymbalta completely suspecting it was effecting Prolactin)

When taking 200mg e2w, my labs came back.
Total Test ... 276 (241-827)
Prolactin 8.5 (2.0-18.0)

Dr was frustrated by the T level so gave me 400mg in his office and ordered labs again in 21 days.
This time...
Total Test ... 389 (250-1100) ((same lab, don't know why the change in range))
Free Test % ... 1.78 (1.5-2.2)
Free Test pg/mL ... 69.2 (35-155)
Prolactin ... 12 (2-18)

He thinks that's high enough (@ 400mg / e3w) or I can try pellets (which I don't want to do.)
He's not concerned with Prolactin since it's now in normal range.
I'd sure like to see my test higher than that though.

My Plan....
Take the Test E 133 mg every week

• get some Prami .25mg/day - I still think that Prolactin's a little high. Dropping Cymbalta seemed to help, but then it headed back up, so it may be something else.

• get some Aromasin - 10mg / day for possible Estrogen although no symptoms

• Start back on the UNLEASHED - to lower SHBG & raise free Test

• Start back on the POST CYCLE - to help reduce Estrodiol

Can I keep that up long term as HRT if it works?

Feeling decent with modest gains in the gym.
Not having any problems in the BR other than lack of frequency - maybe I'm not trying hard enough... need higher Test ??? maybe get some for my wife some.

Still never have felt "Like a new man" though.

Comments or suggestions?

Don't go back to Dr. now for 3-4 months. I've ended up with an extra vial and am thinking about private labs at the current dose or bumping my dose and seeing what's happening.


Thanks