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    emily_godzilla's Avatar
    emily_godzilla Posts: 115, Reputation: 5
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    #1

    Feb 18, 2009, 10:06 AM
    Are blood pregnancy tests ever wrong?
    We have been trying to get pregnant since June. In December during my period my left breasts started leaking a yellow fluid for about three days. My period was kind of light and I started feeling a tingling sensation in my ab. I had a negative pregnancy test. I had a period dec 1st, dec 31st and feb 5th. They have all been pretty light which is unusual since I have an ovarian cyst and some fibroids. I have had two blood tests both were negative. But this tingling feeling has gotten worse and if I press on my breasts a white fluid comes out. The doctor said the fluid is breats milk and she tested my prolactin levels which she said were high. Then she had a mri done. I go back to see her on Friday but my question is are blood pregnancy tests ever wrong? This feeling I am getting is almost like a vibrating tapping sensation in my lower abs and even in my stomach-it's mostly when I sit or lie down also I am hungry all the time, constantly have to pee and my breasts are larger. Could I be pregnant? Also I started throwing up during my periods back in octoeber which I have read is normal for some women but it never used to happen to me before. Any advice would help if I was pregnant I would'nt even know how far along I am since I have been getting periods... :confused:
    kp2171's Avatar
    kp2171 Posts: 5,318, Reputation: 1612
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    #2

    Feb 18, 2009, 10:17 AM
    Yes, they can be wrong. Also, there are more than one type (quantitative and qualitative). Also, there can be concerns about ectopic pregnancy. It is also possible to produce breast milk without being pregnant, if the pituitary gland is producing high prolactin levels, which can be caused by an imbalance in hormone levels, which could lead to altered periods.

    Id try to talk you through all the possibilities, but most of it would just be guessing in the wind. Your doctor has all the data, and will know what steps to take next.
    emily_godzilla's Avatar
    emily_godzilla Posts: 115, Reputation: 5
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    #3

    Feb 18, 2009, 10:33 AM

    Thanks for your response. I know one of the blood tests was the serum test not too sure on the other. I am just confused on what is happening with my body. Could the high prolactin levels make me feel a tingly feeling in my abs and stomach-do you know? Thanks
    kp2171's Avatar
    kp2171 Posts: 5,318, Reputation: 1612
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    #4

    Feb 18, 2009, 10:45 AM
    Med students psych themselves on a weekly basis into feeling sensations... I'm not saying you aren't feeling these sensations, but its really easy to suddenly pay attention to these things when your mind has you thinking perhaps there is some "condition"...

    I really, really, really wish I could tell you yes or no over the internet. Id be a rich, rich man.

    The doctor relies on tests for this very reason... sensations just don't cut it.

    I'm sorry. I wish I had a more definitive answer.

    I think you'll need to see your provider and go from there. Best wishes.
    emily_godzilla's Avatar
    emily_godzilla Posts: 115, Reputation: 5
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    #5

    Feb 20, 2009, 12:26 PM

    I saw my doctor today. She did not know why I am having vibrating feelings she said it was probably just muscle spasms. She would not order an ultrasound but she is referring me to an endrocronologist-can't spell sorry-She is still worried about my prolactin levels which they retested today. They will call me Monday if there is a big increase or decrease in the levels. Has anyone else ever had any experiences like this? Has anyone had a negative blood test for pregnancy but it turned out they were pregnant? My prolactin levels would be normal if I were pregnant but since I am not they are high. Anyone have any advice?
    kp2171's Avatar
    kp2171 Posts: 5,318, Reputation: 1612
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    #6

    Feb 20, 2009, 03:22 PM
    Close in spelling... its endocrinologist.

    High prolactin output can be seen with a corresponding drop in LH and FSH, which results in estrogen drop, which can result in an irregular period.

    So... at this point your doctor is referring you to a physician who can determine why your prolactin levels are high without apparent pregnancy. The endocrinologist might consider a CT or MRI of the pituitary (or not) and might consider meds to regulate levels (or not).

    Stress alone can cause some of these things... an irregular period... high prolactin...

    There can be a number of other causes, but at this time, you don't need to be second guessing or self diagnosing. Be patient and talk to the physician.

    I'm going to refer this to our health expert. Again... what you want is proof, tests, results... not speculation. Your specialist can help with that.
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #7

    Feb 20, 2009, 04:16 PM
    There is not much I can add to what KP has already said. Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland and high levels can be caused by a benign (not cancerous) tumor on this gland. It can also be caused by hypothyroidism, as well as certain medications.

    It is good that your doctor is being so proactive by sending you to an endocrinologist as these are the doctors who primarily treat these disorders.
    DoulaLC's Avatar
    DoulaLC Posts: 10,488, Reputation: 1952
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    #8

    Feb 20, 2009, 04:27 PM

    I agree with kp2171. There are numerous reasons prolactin levels may be elevated. Some are minor and easily rectified, some they would want to evaluate further.
    Pregnancies do sometimes go undetected for awhile, but it would be highly unusal that with doctor exams it would not be picked up by now.
    As kp said... it's quite possible that the high prolactin levels are the cause of the unusual periods and not becoming pregnant instead of being pregnant causing the higher prolactin levels.
    Odds are, and you can certainly ask, the endocrinologist may want to rule out pregnancy as well with a test of their own.
    emily_godzilla's Avatar
    emily_godzilla Posts: 115, Reputation: 5
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    #9

    Feb 21, 2009, 06:44 AM

    I have lab results to show the new doctor both bloodwork and mri results of the pituary. My fsh was 2.6 and my lh was 2.3 that one I think is low. For the mri results it did find that I may have a small microadenoma. Do any of you know what that means? I will definitely talk with the doctor about it but it will be a while before I can get an appointment so I was just curious-is a microadenoma a beign tumour?
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #10

    Feb 21, 2009, 07:38 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by emily_godzilla View Post
    is a microadenoma a beign tumour?
    Yes, it is. It is usually a pituitary tumor that is smaller than 10mm. Microadenoma is the most common pituitary tumor.

    Here is a website that describes it all in very simple terms.

    Pituitary Microadenoma

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