25 considering TRT blood panel prolactinoma (microadenoma)

[DannyA]

Hello,

My name is Daniel. This is my first time posting on the forums.

I have (Last time I checked 6 months ago) a pituitary microadenoma (prolactinoma). I have taken Bromocriptine for several years (since I was 18) with no change in the size of the adenoma or blood serum prolactin. So, (being young and stupid) I stopped taking my medication, drank alcohol and sat around eating junk food for a long time. Naturally I gained a little weight around the mid section (42-1/2" waist and I'm 6'5") and lost almost all gains. So, I became disappointed in the person I had become. So, I started weight training, working on my 40yd dash, vertical jump, etc... to get into shape. I also started on a Targeted Ketosis Diet ( A variation of the keto diet except with carb ups with glucose rich food pre-workout) I went into get a blood panel done back in (7/29/14) (around the time I started to work out and eat better).

This is what my results were...

Name Value Reference Range
TSH 2.600 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL

Testosterone, Total, LC/MS 355.2 348.0-1197.0 ng/dL

Free Testosterone(Direct) 5.9 9.3-26.5 pg/mL

T4,Free(Direct) 1.60 0.82-1.77 ng/dL

Cortisol 26.4 2.3-19.4 ug/dL

LH 5.4 1.7-8.6 mIU/mL

FSH 3.4 1.5-12.4 mIU/mL

Prolactin 25.9 4.0-15.2 ng/mL

Insulin-Like Growth Factor I 177 115-355 ng/mL


I was shocked about the results to say the least. My prolactin was higher than ever and to my surprise my cortisol was high as well not only that but my total testosterone was in the range of an 80 year old man with my free test being below normal at all. However, my endocrinologist left me a voice mail after reviewing the results only mentioning that he wanted me to do a 24 hour urine test for my cortisol. With alot of research (reading through published and peer-reviewed medical studies, contacting cancer specialists across the country, etc...) I found out that taking curcumin (the flavonoid in the root turmeric) inhibits cell proliferation, induces apoptosis (programmed cell death of the tumor) as well as regulate cortisol and increase testosterone in hypogonadal men ( this is all because of its ability to bind to the CB1 receptor in the pituitary and it's antioxidant properties). So, I got around to doing the test on 9/24/14 (nearly 2 months later... 2 months more dieting... 2 months on curcumin). I did the urine test and I was in the normal rage! Here are the results for that...

TOTAL VOLUME 3000 mL
CORTISOL, FREE, URINE 42.5 4.0-50.0 mcg/24 h
CORTISOL, FREE, URINE 17.8 mcg/g creat
CREATININE, URINE 2.39 0.63-2.50 g/24 h


Ever since this test I have pretty much been doing the same thing. I have consistently gotten stronger and my waist is down to 38" flat ( down 4 1/2" ) as of today (1/11/15). I am trying to cut as much as possible (to 36" waist or 10-12% bf) while keeping my strength gains (so far I have been able to some how) until about march when I will go get my new blood work done. Im hoping and praying that all of my hormone levels will be in the normal range and if they are I will go into get an MRI to see how much the pituitary adenoma has shrunk (hopefully 100% gone). If they are not in normal range however I will definitely go on TRT and continue taking the antioxidant curcumin because I have seen it alter my hormones for the better (cortisol).


- Any thoughts on my original blood panel?
- Why didn't my endocrinologist talk about my low test?
- Is it even safe to have my Free Test below normal range like that?
- I feel like he should have tested my estrogen as well due to the weight gain on my chest and mid section/ hips... thoughts?

 

[damage007]

Hello,

My name is Daniel. This is my first time posting on the forums.

I have (Last time I checked 6 months ago) a pituitary microadenoma (prolactinoma). I have taken Bromocriptine for several years (since I was 18) with no change in the size of the adenoma or blood serum prolactin. So, (being young and stupid) I stopped taking my medication, drank alcohol and sat around eating junk food for a long time. Naturally I gained a little weight around the mid section (42-1/2" waist and I'm 6'5") and lost almost all gains. So, I became disappointed in the person I had become. So, I started weight training, working on my 40yd dash, vertical jump, etc... to get into shape. I also started on a Targeted Ketosis Diet ( A variation of the keto diet except with carb ups with glucose rich food pre-workout) I went into get a blood panel done back in (7/29/14) (around the time I started to work out and eat better).

This is what my results were...

Name Value Reference Range
TSH 2.600 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL

Testosterone, Total, LC/MS 355.2 348.0-1197.0 ng/dL

Free Testosterone(Direct) 5.9 9.3-26.5 pg/mL

T4,Free(Direct) 1.60 0.82-1.77 ng/dL

Cortisol 26.4 2.3-19.4 ug/dL

LH 5.4 1.7-8.6 mIU/mL

FSH 3.4 1.5-12.4 mIU/mL

Prolactin 25.9 4.0-15.2 ng/mL

Insulin-Like Growth Factor I 177 115-355 ng/mL


I was shocked about the results to say the least. My prolactin was higher than ever and to my surprise my cortisol was high as well not only that but my total testosterone was in the range of an 80 year old man with my free test being below normal at all. However, my endocrinologist left me a voice mail after reviewing the results only mentioning that he wanted me to do a 24 hour urine test for my cortisol. With alot of research (reading through published and peer-reviewed medical studies, contacting cancer specialists across the country, etc...) I found out that taking curcumin (the flavonoid in the root turmeric) inhibits cell proliferation, induces apoptosis (programmed cell death of the tumor) as well as regulate cortisol and increase testosterone in hypogonadal men ( this is all because of its ability to bind to the CB1 receptor in the pituitary and it's antioxidant properties). So, I got around to doing the test on 9/24/14 (nearly 2 months later... 2 months more dieting... 2 months on curcumin). I did the urine test and I was in the normal rage! Here are the results for that...

TOTAL VOLUME 3000 mL
CORTISOL, FREE, URINE 42.5 4.0-50.0 mcg/24 h
CORTISOL, FREE, URINE 17.8 mcg/g creat
CREATININE, URINE 2.39 0.63-2.50 g/24 h


Ever since this test I have pretty much been doing the same thing. I have consistently gotten stronger and my waist is down to 38" flat ( down 4 1/2" ) as of today (1/11/15). I am trying to cut as much as possible (to 36" waist or 10-12% bf) while keeping my strength gains (so far I have been able to some how) until about march when I will go get my new blood work done. Im hoping and praying that all of my hormone levels will be in the normal range and if they are I will go into get an MRI to see how much the pituitary adenoma has shrunk (hopefully 100% gone). If they are not in normal range however I will definitely go on TRT and continue taking the antioxidant curcumin because I have seen it alter my hormones for the better (cortisol).


- Any thoughts on my original blood panel?
- Why didn't my endocrinologist talk about my low test?
- Is it even safe to have my Free Test below normal range like that?
- I feel like he should have tested my estrogen as well due to the weight gain on my chest and mid section/ hips... thoughts?

You're only 25 , I wouldn't consider TRT yet If I were you, and bromocriptine ain't all that for prolactin reduction...you need to use a high-affinity agonist such as cabergoline....keep working out and stay in shape...this is good.
Can you ask for cabergoline (dostinex) instead of bromo?

I would also recommend a couple other things, as your supplement regimen can use some improvising, possibly diet as well.

Also..WHY wasn't estrogen tested? E2 plays a HUGE role in prolactin release - high estro leads to high prolactin, or in your case, worsening the situation.

Get estrogen checked, and don't stress yourself out, because that just might be enough to lower your test levels for next blood - we don't want an inaccurate test result preceded by bouts of worrying!

You may also want to consider what I call tactical dopamine receptor modulation....

Regenerating dopamine neurons with 9-methyl-beta-carboline, and using phenyl piracetam to increase dopamine receptor expression...then this will both help the cabergoline or dopamine agonist work better..as there are more dopamine receptors and networks being built off of.