Is it possible to have high Prolactin but normal Testosterone levels?

Hormones
1

Hello everyone,

I am a 27 year old male. For some time I've shown symptoms of a lack of sex drive and erectile dysfunction but as I suffer from anxiety always attibuted it as the cause. I had some blood tests done privately and my results showed a slightly raised prolactin level but my testosterone seems average.

TSH 0.70 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.2) 

Prolactin 397 mIU/L (86 - 324) 

Testosterone 21.3 nmol/L (7.6 - 31.4) 

SHBG 35 nmol/L (16 - 55) 

The results seem to suggest Prolactinoma but a common side effect is low testosteorone where my results prove otherwise. I'm afraid if I speak to my doctor he will tell me it is all in my head so I'm trying to make some sense of the results.

I guess the question I'm asking is is it possible to have raised Prolactin/Prolactinoma and normal looking testosterone levels? 

Should I speak to my doctor anyway?  

Thanks very much

2

i think that it is possible to have any combination of hormones working or not working, depending on what the underlying problem is.

however i think that for a prolactinoma the prolactin levels would be up in the 900 or above. so your prolactin is only slightly elevated.

and you say that you did it privately - remember that different labs have different methods.

it is worth however talking to your GP rather than trying to self diagnose.

good luck

 

3

There is usually a follow-up blood test taken over a couple of hours with (I think) a glucose drink (much like diabetes).  This sorts out the wolves from the dogs.

Ask to be referred to an endocrinologist for a 2nd opinion.  Also ask for an Iron Panel (Studies) test.  This should include Serum Iron, Ferritin Iron, Transferrin Saturation % and TIBC.  Just iron and haemoglobin is not an adequate test.  If you have a high ferritin iron level (300+), as well as a high TS% (>50), it means you have Hereditary Haemochromatosis.  It will cause the problems you mention.

HH can cause a problem with your pituitary gland too, causing high prolactin.

Search the haemochromatosis forum, and you will find a 27-28 year old male with same problems.

 

4

Hello,

25 year old male here.

I have exact same symptoms. Everything in blood test is normal except Prolactin.

Thyroid : normal

Testosterone (total) : 631ng/dl (260 - 1000)

Prolactin : 22.7ng/ml  (4 - 15)

I suffer from generalised anxiety disorder and ED. I too like you, attributed my problem to anxiety.

it has been 4-5 days since i started taking anti-depressants.

I got these blood tests results today and i am going to see an Endocrinologist in couple of days to rule out Prolactinoma.