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What Do Low Levels Of Blood Glucose And Cortisol And High Prolactin Levels Mean?

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Posted on Thu, 13 Nov 2014
Question: if i have low post prandial blood sugar, low cortisol level and high prolactin levels along with hypoglycemia mild symptoms what does it suggest medically? I read that it could be a tumor.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Endocrine

Detailed Answer:
1 I have reviewed your lab results.

2 The thyroid, CBC, liver and kidney function tests are all normal.

3 The cortisol report however is missing but I have read your values mentioned above

4 The sodium is slightly low

5 The glucoses are normal even though they may appear on the lower side after meals.

So hypoglycemia is not likely. However it is best to check finger stick capillary blood glucose at the time of symptoms, using a blood glucose monitor. If it is below 70 mg.dl then further work up is warranted

6 The prolactin is high. It looks like you are no medications. Kindly confirm this because some medications can elevate the prolactin levels in the blood.

May I know if your menstrual cycles are regular?

Also, do you have any headaches or visual disturbances, fatigue or weight loss?

7 The cortisol of 67.5 , is it in nmol/L units. if so was it taken early in the morning such as 8 am ?

8 Yes what you have read correctly that there is a rare condition called MEN 1 syndrome in which there is constellation of low glucose and high prolactin with or without other conditions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (27 minutes later)
I used to have irregular periods, but its been regular for the last couple of months. And yes I do have headaches and dizziness and have been feeling dizzy constantly for the last three days. Sometimes i see a blurry spot and I am 37kgs at present. I used to be 40 kg normally.
The cortisol was collected in the morning around 10am and was is nmol/L
I have also been testing my blood sugar at home, its always lower after food. I haven't had the severe symptoms since Ive started taking the tests at home but its always around 80 to 90 after food. once its gone to 70 as well.
I took a steroid for alopecia but stopped it two days before the tests were done.
i do have alopecia areata and chronic urticaria.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
If I were to see someone like you in my practice, I would recommend the following:

Recheck serum prolactin along with serum cortisol levels strictly at 8 am. Fasting is not necessary for this test but the timing is important.

Did you take the steroid for longer than 3 weeks?

I strongly suggest you see an Endocrinologist in person for a thorough evaluation to see if you have adrenal insufficiency, and also consider an MRI of the pituitary to look for the cause of high blood prolactin levels.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

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

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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What Do Low Levels Of Blood Glucose And Cortisol And High Prolactin Levels Mean?

Brief Answer: Endocrine Detailed Answer: 1 I have reviewed your lab results. 2 The thyroid, CBC, liver and kidney function tests are all normal. 3 The cortisol report however is missing but I have read your values mentioned above 4 The sodium is slightly low 5 The glucoses are normal even though they may appear on the lower side after meals. So hypoglycemia is not likely. However it is best to check finger stick capillary blood glucose at the time of symptoms, using a blood glucose monitor. If it is below 70 mg.dl then further work up is warranted 6 The prolactin is high. It looks like you are no medications. Kindly confirm this because some medications can elevate the prolactin levels in the blood. May I know if your menstrual cycles are regular? Also, do you have any headaches or visual disturbances, fatigue or weight loss? 7 The cortisol of 67.5 , is it in nmol/L units. if so was it taken early in the morning such as 8 am ? 8 Yes what you have read correctly that there is a rare condition called MEN 1 syndrome in which there is constellation of low glucose and high prolactin with or without other conditions