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What Causes Severe Leg Pain And Swelling When Prolactin Levels Are High?

Posted on Wed, 26 Aug 2015

Question: I am a female 22 years age having prolactin level more than optimum level . I have been using Yamen and periods 3-23 from last 2 months. I had check up of prolactin level 6 months back which was 32 then before this check up 15 days back which increased to 74. I am having severe leg pain and swelling a little bit between ankle and knee ( calf part)from last 6 months Sudeenly from past 1 week I am getting severe headache too right infornt forehead every alternate day. Please check the reports and explain my condition. I weigh around 50 kgs and height 5foot 3 inches.why am I getting severe headache unbearable ? Is my prolactin level is causing all these ? See my reports and give advise.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You need further evaluation.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your symptoms and blood test reports.

I agree that your prolactin levels are high. Prolactin hormone is secreted from a gland called as pituitary gland. Sometimes, small tumors in pituitary gland, called as prolactinoma, are responsible for increasing levels of prolactin in blood. These tumors can also cause headaches. You should undergo a brain and sella MRI scan to exclude a tumor in the pituitary gland.

Also, the levels of vitamin B12 and D are low. These can cause calf pain. You should be started on vitamin B12 and D supplements.

I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.

Wishing you good health,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (12 minutes later)

This time I did not get periods too still. They are alreafy late by 2 days. Does prolactin level affect periods also ? Do I need a surgery to cure tumour in pituatory gland ? Does tablets cure this inspite of surgery? Please answer all questions

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Answers are below

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

1. Periods can get delayed due to high prolactin levels,

2. Surgery is needed for large tumors (macro-adenoma) of pituitary gland.

3. Small tumors of pituitary gland (micro-adenoma) can be cured by medications such as cabergoline.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (20 minutes later)

Does prolactin level of 74 require surgery or iy can be cured by medicine ??

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Surgery depends on the mRI scan findings.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

The decision regarding whether to do surgery or not depends on the size of pituitary tumour, which can be found out by doing MRI scan of brain and sella.

If the tumour is small or if there is no tumour, then, medical treatment is enough.

If the tumour is large in size, then, surgery is needed.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar