Do any of you know anything about prolactin. My last blood test from a few months ago showed that my prolactin levels were just a bit higher than normal. Could that acount for my loss of libido/sensation?
High prolactin levels can cause ED, milk production (rare) and loss of libido in some men. Elevated levels could be to due drug use or hyperprolactinemia.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperprola … a#Symptoms
"In men, the most common symptoms of prolactinoma are impotence, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and infertility. Because men have no reliable indicator such as menstruation to signal a problem, many men with hyperprolactinemia being caused by an adenoma may delay going to the doctor until they have headaches or eye problems caused by the enlarged pituitary pressing against nearby eye nerves. They may not recognize a gradual loss of sexual function or libido. Only after treatment do some men realize they had a problem with sexual function.
If Prolactin is high/out of range, get an MRI to rule out pituitary tumor:
“If prolactin is high, a doctor will test thyroid function and ask first about other conditions and medications known to raise prolactin secretion. Whilst a plain X-ray of the bones surrounding the pituitary may reveal the presence of a large macro-adenoma, the small micro-adenoma will not be apparent. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive test for detecting pituitary tumors and determining their size. MRI scans may be repeated periodically to assess tumor progression and the effects of therapy. Computed Tomography (CT scan) also gives an image of the pituitary, but it is less sensitive than the MRI.”
Drugs which lower prolactin
- Cabergoline (dostinex)
- Bromocriptine
Natural supplements which lower prolactin:
- Chasteberry (Vitex) … unsure about dosages or efficacy, do your research
- Mucuna Pruriens