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Thyroid, Pregnenolone, Progesterone, DHEA, etc
Thyroid, DHEA, Pregnenolone, Progesterone, etc
The metabolic role of prolactin
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<blockquote data-quote="jobshopper" data-source="post: 242527" data-attributes="member: 41989"><p>I found this on another site and I thought that it was too interesting not to share:</p><p></p><h3>Watch out for prolactin!</h3><p><img src="https://www.redditstatic.com/desktop2x/img/renderTimingPixel.png" class="bbImage" alt="" data-url="https://www.redditstatic.com/desktop2x/img/renderTimingPixel.png" style="" /></p><p>Posting this because I feel like prolactin goes under the radar when it comes to HRT and male well-being in general.</p><p>Very high levels of prolactin can induce hypogonadism in males - this is seen in people with prolactin secreting tumours, people who have abused opiates and people who have used medications such as antipsychotics and to a lesser degree, serotonin increasing medications. Below that, high levels can induce a lot of highly unwanted symptoms for men; loss of libido and sexual thought, lack of sexual response, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, low mood etc - basically, all of the symptoms your TRT is supposed to help with.</p><p><strong>Prolactin & Dopamine</strong></p><p>Prolactin and dopamine also have an antagonistic relationship. High levels of prolactin usually means low levels of dopamine and vice-versa. Dopamine is not the 'pleasure' hormone, it is the 'motivation & movement' hormone. Dopamine is what drives your actions to seek out a perceived goal. In terms of sexual functioning, dopamine is the fuel for the fire. Between observing or receiving sexual stimuli, dopamine plays a predominant role in mobilising your bodily systems towards sexual activity. When you can 'feel' your libido, I'd say it's a good chance you're feeling the benefits of dopamine (remember: testosterone increases dopamine).</p><p><strong>What Does High Prolactin Feel Like?</strong></p><p>Risk Factors: prolactin secreting tumours, serotonergic medications, opiates, antipsychotics, chronic stress, excessive masturbation</p><p>When most men ejaculate, they enter the refractory period where they have zero interest in sex and zero ability to get an erection or feel aroused. This is because of a large release of prolactin and a lowering of dopamine. Many men feel a sense of fatigue, anhedonia, mild depression etc. The men who don't feel this and have short refractory periods, are men with low prolactin, high dopamine levels (more on this in a sec). So, I want you to imagine that post fap sadness, regret or fatigue you feel. Now imagine that's where your libido is at most of the time; that's chronically high prolactin.</p><p><strong>Prolactin and HRT</strong></p><p>Before starting TRT, I had high prolactin (slightly above the reference range) and low-normal testosterone levels etc. I managed to find a good TRT doctor who was willing to give me a trial. I started test cyp and HCG and although this helped with my mental health, the libido just wasn't where it should be. Latest bloods had shown that my estrogen had shot up so I began taking anastrozole; within 24 H, I felt so much better. The high estrogen anxiety and emotional state had vanished but again, I just had this 'blunted' feeling in terms of sex drive.</p><p>My GP, to be very cautious, has referred me for an MRI, just to rule out an early prolactinoma whilst my TRT doctor disagreed with this, he felt my above range prolactin was fine and that no action, other than monitoring for further increases was necessary. I said "if my estrogen was above range and I was having symptoms, we'd do something about it... So why is prolactin different when we know it causes low T symptoms?" - TRT doc basically said guidelines on managing prolactin aren't great.</p><p><strong>Dopamine Agonists</strong></p><p>The treatment for prolactinoma and hyperprolactinemia is to use dopamine agonists - the dopaminergic action of these medications drastically reduces prolactin levels but modulating dopamine - an important hormone and neurotransmitter - should be done with caution. With that said, it's annoying how quickly and willingly doctors will prescribe SSRIs (which increase prolactin and lower dopamine). As I knew full well, no doctor was going to risk prescribing a dopamine agonist for slightly above range prolactin levels so I sourced Cabergoline myself.</p><p>Cabergoline reaches peak plasma concentration in only a few hours and boy could I feel the difference. I suddenly had the libido of a teenage boy, my interest in sex was through the roof, I started having sexual thoughts and my dick instantly responded to sexual stimuli. I knew it - I knew estrogen and especially prolactin were blunting the libido side of my TRT.</p><p>Now, I don't recommend sourcing dopamine agonists. This was my decision (which I don't regret) you may want to try the following:</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>P5P (activated B6) & Vitamin E</strong> - both of these have literature showing that they can decrease prolactin levels. I religiously used P5P from 100-200mg a day and my levels still came back above range but it may work for you.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Mental Health Medication -</strong> discuss this with your doctor/psychiatrist. Antipsychotics work by inhibiting dopamine which means prolactin is free to elevate and remain elevated. Similarly, serotonergic medications directly stimulate the release of prolactin and elevated serotonin is linked to lower dopamine.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Avoid Opiates</strong> - these are strongly linked to increased levels of prolactin and can induce hypogonadism with chronic/excessive use</li> </ol><p>If these don't work for you, I'd suggest having an honest word with your doctor. Arm yourself with a bit of research and knowledge and explain that you're not happy with your high prolactin levels (assuming they constantly come back high on bloods) and that you'd like to explore potential treatments and hopefully you find a sympathetic ear.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="jobshopper, post: 242527, member: 41989"] I found this on another site and I thought that it was too interesting not to share: [HEADING=2]Watch out for prolactin![/HEADING] [IMG]https://www.redditstatic.com/desktop2x/img/renderTimingPixel.png[/IMG] Posting this because I feel like prolactin goes under the radar when it comes to HRT and male well-being in general. Very high levels of prolactin can induce hypogonadism in males - this is seen in people with prolactin secreting tumours, people who have abused opiates and people who have used medications such as antipsychotics and to a lesser degree, serotonin increasing medications. Below that, high levels can induce a lot of highly unwanted symptoms for men; loss of libido and sexual thought, lack of sexual response, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, low mood etc - basically, all of the symptoms your TRT is supposed to help with. [B]Prolactin & Dopamine[/B] Prolactin and dopamine also have an antagonistic relationship. High levels of prolactin usually means low levels of dopamine and vice-versa. Dopamine is not the 'pleasure' hormone, it is the 'motivation & movement' hormone. Dopamine is what drives your actions to seek out a perceived goal. In terms of sexual functioning, dopamine is the fuel for the fire. Between observing or receiving sexual stimuli, dopamine plays a predominant role in mobilising your bodily systems towards sexual activity. When you can 'feel' your libido, I'd say it's a good chance you're feeling the benefits of dopamine (remember: testosterone increases dopamine). [B]What Does High Prolactin Feel Like?[/B] Risk Factors: prolactin secreting tumours, serotonergic medications, opiates, antipsychotics, chronic stress, excessive masturbation When most men ejaculate, they enter the refractory period where they have zero interest in sex and zero ability to get an erection or feel aroused. This is because of a large release of prolactin and a lowering of dopamine. Many men feel a sense of fatigue, anhedonia, mild depression etc. The men who don't feel this and have short refractory periods, are men with low prolactin, high dopamine levels (more on this in a sec). So, I want you to imagine that post fap sadness, regret or fatigue you feel. Now imagine that's where your libido is at most of the time; that's chronically high prolactin. [B]Prolactin and HRT[/B] Before starting TRT, I had high prolactin (slightly above the reference range) and low-normal testosterone levels etc. I managed to find a good TRT doctor who was willing to give me a trial. I started test cyp and HCG and although this helped with my mental health, the libido just wasn't where it should be. Latest bloods had shown that my estrogen had shot up so I began taking anastrozole; within 24 H, I felt so much better. The high estrogen anxiety and emotional state had vanished but again, I just had this 'blunted' feeling in terms of sex drive. My GP, to be very cautious, has referred me for an MRI, just to rule out an early prolactinoma whilst my TRT doctor disagreed with this, he felt my above range prolactin was fine and that no action, other than monitoring for further increases was necessary. I said "if my estrogen was above range and I was having symptoms, we'd do something about it... So why is prolactin different when we know it causes low T symptoms?" - TRT doc basically said guidelines on managing prolactin aren't great. [B]Dopamine Agonists[/B] The treatment for prolactinoma and hyperprolactinemia is to use dopamine agonists - the dopaminergic action of these medications drastically reduces prolactin levels but modulating dopamine - an important hormone and neurotransmitter - should be done with caution. With that said, it's annoying how quickly and willingly doctors will prescribe SSRIs (which increase prolactin and lower dopamine). As I knew full well, no doctor was going to risk prescribing a dopamine agonist for slightly above range prolactin levels so I sourced Cabergoline myself. Cabergoline reaches peak plasma concentration in only a few hours and boy could I feel the difference. I suddenly had the libido of a teenage boy, my interest in sex was through the roof, I started having sexual thoughts and my dick instantly responded to sexual stimuli. I knew it - I knew estrogen and especially prolactin were blunting the libido side of my TRT. Now, I don't recommend sourcing dopamine agonists. This was my decision (which I don't regret) you may want to try the following: [LIST=1] [*][B]P5P (activated B6) & Vitamin E[/B] - both of these have literature showing that they can decrease prolactin levels. I religiously used P5P from 100-200mg a day and my levels still came back above range but it may work for you. [*][B]Mental Health Medication -[/B] discuss this with your doctor/psychiatrist. Antipsychotics work by inhibiting dopamine which means prolactin is free to elevate and remain elevated. Similarly, serotonergic medications directly stimulate the release of prolactin and elevated serotonin is linked to lower dopamine. [*][B]Avoid Opiates[/B] - these are strongly linked to increased levels of prolactin and can induce hypogonadism with chronic/excessive use [/LIST] If these don't work for you, I'd suggest having an honest word with your doctor. Arm yourself with a bit of research and knowledge and explain that you're not happy with your high prolactin levels (assuming they constantly come back high on bloods) and that you'd like to explore potential treatments and hopefully you find a sympathetic ear. [/QUOTE]
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Thyroid, Pregnenolone, Progesterone, DHEA, etc
Thyroid, DHEA, Pregnenolone, Progesterone, etc
The metabolic role of prolactin
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