Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates growth and regulates metabolism.Both men and women produce this hormone, and if your levels are too high, it can lead to problems like lowered sex drive.It's important to get a diagnosis from your doctor if you have high prolactin levels because there are many things that can cause it.
Step 1: You should check your prescriptions.
Increased prolactin levels can be caused by prescription medications.It could be the cause of your high prolactin levels if you're on one of these medications.Dopamine is a brain chemical.Prolactin levels may rise when you're on medications that block or lower dopamine.Some drugs, such as risperidone, can cause this effect.It is possible that Metoclopramide may increase the production of prolactin.The culprit could be a few medications that treat high blood pressure, but it happens less often with them.
Step 2: If you want to stop the medication, talk to your doctor.
You don't want to go off a medication abruptly, especially one like an antipsychotic, which can have severe withdrawal effects.Discuss the issue with your doctor if you want to get off one of these medications.They might be able to switch you to another medication that doesn't have this effect.
Step 3: Discuss the use of aripiprazole.
This medication has been shown to reduce prolactin levels when taken in place of other antipsychotics.Ask your doctor if you can take this medication.Antipsychotics have the ability to raise prolactin since they affect the dopamine in the brain.If you develop a tolerance for long-term antipsychotic treatment, your prolactin levels may stay above normal.Side effects of this medication include dizziness, nervousness, headaches, stomach issues, weight gain, and pain in your joints.It can make you jittery on your feet.
Step 4: The prolactin levels will be checked with a blood test.
Your doctor is going to want to check your prolactin levels if you think they are too high.Taking blood is the best way to do that.A fast blood test is what your doctor will order for you, meaning you can't eat for 8 hours before the test.If you have any of the following symptoms, your doctor may order this test.If you're pregnant, normal levels are between 80 and 400 ng/dL.Normal is less than 20 ng/dL for men.Your doctor can run other blood tests to make sure you don't have a condition that causes high prolactin levels.
Step 5: If you have had a chest injury, tell your doctor.
If you've had a chest injury in the last few weeks, you should tell your doctor about it.Hives or shingles on your chest can cause this symptom.After a chest injury, your prolactin levels will go down on their own.
Step 6: If you want to be tested for hypothyroidism, you should ask.
Hypothyroidism is when thethyroid hormone isn't being produced enough.It can cause your prolactin levels to rise if you have this condition.A blood test will be ordered by your doctor.If your doctor notices high prolactin levels, it's a good idea to ask about it.levothyroxine is a medication that is usually used to treat this condition.
Step 7: Discuss if an injection of B6 is appropriate.
If you only temporarily raise your prolactin levels, a single dose of this vitamins may be enough.If it's given in an IV, you should talk to your doctor.A typical dose is 300.The medical staff can either inject the medication into a large muscle or use a needle to inject it.
Step 8: Consider a daily regimen of 5 grams of powdered ashwagandha root.
This supplement may help lower your prolactin levels.It may increase male fertility and sex drive.Talk to your doctor before starting a supplement.It is possible to experience nausea, stomach problems, or headaches with this medication.
Step 9: It's a good idea to add some vitamins to your supplements.
If you have high levels of prolactin, it's a good idea to increase your vitamins E and E.It could stop the release of prolactin.If you're suffering from a condition that requires a supplement, talk to your doctor.If you take high doses, you may experience side effects such as nausea, weakness, rash, headaches, blurred vision, and gonadal.
Step 10: You can increase your zinc intake with a supplement.
A zinc supplement can lower prolactin levels.Increasing as needed to 40 milligrams per day is what you should try to start with.If you need to increase the dose, have your prolactin levels rechecked.Ask your doctor about the proper amount of zinc.headaches, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting are some of the side effects.If you take too much for a long time, it can cause copper deficiency.It can cause you to lose your sense of smell if you take it through your nose.
Step 11: Get at least 7 hours of sleep.
Your system can be thrown off balance if you don't get enough sleep.You should get a full night's rest if you go to bed at a reasonable time.It's possible to sleep alone and decrease your prolactin levels.
Step 12: There are symptoms of prolactinoma.
A prolactinoma is a type of tumor.Most of the time, the tumor is benign.It can cause high levels of prolactin in the body.Changes in menstruation, reduced sex drive, and decreased milk production are some of the symptoms in women.It's more difficult to diagnose a low libido in men and women who don't menstruate.You could also experience breast growth.If the tumor is left undetected, you may experience premature aging, headaches, or even vision loss.
Step 13: The medication cabergoline can be used to treat a tumor.
This medication is the first one that doctors will go to, as it has the lowest side effects and you only need to take it twice a week.It is most likely to shrink the benign tumor and bring your prolactin levels down.nausea and dizziness can be caused by this medication.bromocriptine can cause nausea and dizziness.Your doctor will likely increase your dose gradually to reduce the side effects of this medication.You will need to take it 3-4 times per day.Once the tumor has shrunk and your prolactin levels decrease, you may be able to come off the medication.You shouldn't stop either of these drugs abruptly.Follow your doctor's instructions.
Step 14: If medications aren't working for you, ask about surgery.
Surgery is the next treatment for this type of tumor.A surgeon will remove the tumor so that it doesn't cause any issues.This may be your doctor's first choice of treatment if you have another type of pituitary gland tumor instead of a prolactinoma.
Step 15: Discuss if radiation is necessary.
Radiation used to be a common treatment for this type of tumor.It's a last resort and less common today.It can result in the opposite problem, where you don't have enough hormones.If you don't respond to the medication and your tumor cannot be operated on safely, radiation may be the only option.If that's the case, you may need this treatment.You may only need one treatment for some tumors.It depends on the size of the tumor.Hypopituitarism is the most common side effect.Damage to nearby brain tissue can be a very rare side effect.