Re: Adrenal fatigue. LOW CORTISOL AND DHEA

I'm sorry the endo appointment wasn't helpful. It's so frustrating for those who's job it is to help, don't offer any help!

I've balled my eyes out at a doctor before now too - due to sheer frustration of them not giving a toss.

If you can figure out why you have high prolactin you'll be most of the way there.
All i've ever read about high prolactin is mainly caused by a pituitary tumour.
All info online automatically assumes it's a pituitary prolactinoma.

I've just been looking and the other thing mentioned which can raise prolactin (lets call it P) levels is excitotoxin damage to the hypothalamus:

http://www.peaktestosterone.com/Testosterone_Prolactin_Prolactinoma.aspx

"Animals studies show that prolactin levels can be negatively affected due to excitotoxin damage to the hypothalamus. In addition, minoxidil is suspected of causing prolactinomas and elevated prolactin levels. [5] Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a common over the counter hair loss treatment."


Food excitotoxins: (do you like seafood and high glutamate foods)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7854587




"High levels of prolactin may mean that the pituitary gland is making excess prolactin for unknown reasons (idiopathic hyperprolactinemia).
Other conditions that can cause high prolactin levels include pregnancy, liver disease (cirrhosis), kidney disease, and hypothyroidism."

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/prolactin-15129?page=2



"In men, the most common symptom of prolactinoma is impotence. Men have no reliable indicator such as menstruation to signal a problem. Thus, many men delay going to the doctor until they have headaches or vision problems, caused by the enlarged pituitary pressing against the nearby nerves from the eyes. Men may not recognize a gradual loss of sexual function or libido. In fact, only after treatment do some men realize they had a problem with sexual function. As a result of later presentation, men on average, have larger prolactinomas at their presentation then women."

http://www.medicinenet.com/prolactinoma/page3.htm



The Cabergoline you have is worth trying just to see if it alleviates symptoms.
I've read comments from men online who say it helped a lot - have you taken it for any regular length of time?

Dopamine and prolactin are linked:

"Prolactin provides the body with sexual gratification after sexual acts: The hormone counteracts the effect of dopamine, which is responsible for sexual arousal. This is thought to cause the sexual refractory period. The amount of prolactin can be an indicator for the amount of sexual satisfaction and relaxation. Unusually high amounts are suspected to be responsible for impotence and loss of libido (see hyperprolactinemia symptoms).

Highly elevated levels of prolactin decrease the levels of sex hormones — estrogen in women and testosterone in men.[5] The effects of mildly elevated levels of prolactin are much more variable, in women both substantial increase or decrease of estrogen levels may result."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolactin

So the evidence for low testosterone, you also have low estrogen, high prolatin, loss of libido, ED, and the Endo offers counselling?!!

It's best to try to alleviate symptoms, obviously eat healthy, plenty of good nutritious calories, and continue to get prolactin levels checked.

If headaches and eye problems occur it would be wise to get another MRI.

IMO, if you can find a female endo, i think you *might* have a better chance of being listened to.
I know it's sexist to say but women appreciate the hormone rollercoaster and effects they can have on the whole system.
I've had better luck with women GP's than men in that regard which proves we still have a sexist society!

For him to say to you that P levels need to be in their thousands for any issues to occur proves he's a waste of time considering men have had golfball prolactinoma's with P levels of 200.

Focus on the other possibilities for high P levels too, kidney/liver damage due to X, or excitotoxins, excessive glutamate (cooked tomatoes, peas). In some people glutamate should convert to GABA using the GAD gene enzyme.
When this doesn't happen so well - glutamate ends up high, is stimulating, causes anxiety, fast thoughts, energetic brain activity.
GABA is calming, relaxing, inhibitory.

Perhaps you have a conversion problem leading to high glutamate, triggering high prolactin, triggering low T levels, etc..?

Glutamate food lists are worth printing out and review what you eat.
When i did this i was shocked how many foods i eat that actually have high glutamate.

If you try a low glutamate diet for a month - see if it improves symptoms.

But personally, with you feeling how you do, i would try the Cabergoline to see if it offers relief while figuring out the cause of the high P for long-term resolution.

Sometimes we have to treat symptoms until we figure out the root cause, in order to function day to day.

Put today's endo experience to the back of your mind, don't let the bas*rds get you down!
You can help yourself heal without their help, they are only useful for diagnostics most of the time anyway!

Lots of support on this forum to lean on, it's been a wonderful place that's helped give me ideas on things to try.