We are on month three in on our journey to having a little Johnson. We've been getting lots of messages and questions on if there is an update, we've been quiet, but not on purpose, just not much going on.
Everyone told us that this would be a long process, that it wouldn't go fast. I had this feeling in my gut that it would go fast, I was thinking, heck we've already waited 12 years and had how many losses..... once we took the leap to see the specialist, things would just fall into ace. However, they haven't. Don't get me wrong, I feel completely blessed and we BOTH feel that we are in the right hands. We have some answers, even if small, and even if we don't like em... we have more info today then we've ever have.
I've been taking a new medicine to help lower my Prolactin levels (a bit of information about prolactin is below in in our last update). My medicine at first made me very very tired. I was super frustrated at that. I am already super tired because of my thyroid so you can imagine how frustrated I was to feel even more tired. Most people probably don't know how tired I am every.single.day, but that isn't anyone's burden but my own and if I could get any relief that would be a BIG BIG DEAL.
Now fast forward 2 months... My Prolactin levels and my thyroid hormone levels are significantly lower but not low enough to go on to the next stage of testing. They want to wait another 2-4 months to re-test. Of course naturally I was upset and just super disappointed; this was Friday. We had the day off, we were picking up a new camper, we were going to see some Johnson's and it was just gonna be a much needed long weekend, however I couldn't shake what I had just found out and in true Eric fashion he put things into perspective. He said "Ame, you have more energy than I have seen in years. You get out of bed in the morning with out a struggle. You have pep in your step. You don't beg me to take a nap on lunch breaks, I have your back.... We've got his, things are already SOOOOO much better." So in my feeling bad for myself mood, he turned it around and I realized that even in the midst of the bad news, or the slow moving hormones, there was some light at the end of the tunnel.
In closing, there really is no update, except I am feeling a bit better, and what they are treating me for, has probably been an issue for years and its finally being fixed. It has probably contributed to my not feeling well and has more than likely played a role in our many miscarriages. We will re-check my Prolactin levels in a few months, and hopefully move on to some more testing. I have a small procedure tomorrow but nothing big. Keep us in your prayers & send good vibes! Know that we are are praying and sending good vibes for anyone struggling with the same struggle as us! Know that if you are expecting we couldn't be more happy for you and know that if you are one of our nieces and nephews, we couldn't love you more!!
XO, Eric & Amy
A little light reading on Prolactin below. (another request we've had) Two causes for my high Prolactin are Prolactinoma, a benign tumor in my pituitary gland that produces too much prolactin and Hashimotos/hypothyroidism.
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What Is Prolactin?
Prolactin is a hormone produced primarily by the anterior pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain. Prolactin gets its name because it plays a major role in inducing milk production in lactating women. Prolactin levels normally increase throughout a woman's pregnancy, although the levels vary widely in women. Prolactin levels reach their highest level at the time of delivery and then go back to normal around six weeks after delivery (even if a woman is breastfeeding).
When prolactin levels are elevated, the condition is labeled hyperprolactinemia, and these high levels can interfere with how a woman's ovaries function. This can lead to menstrual irregularities, infertility, and sometimes milk release from the breasts, even though a woman is not breastfeeding.
The most common cause of hyperprolactinemia is a non-cancerous pituitary tumor called an adenoma, but the condition can also occur in some people with hypothyroidism. Prolactin can also be elevated in response to environmental triggers, such as strenuous exercise or stress, and in people who take medications that affect the brain chemical, dopamine.
Role in Fertility
Because menstruation and the normal ovulatory cycle often ceases during lactation, prolactin acts as a natural contraceptive that protects against back-to-back pregnancies. That being said, your body's prolactin levels should not be relied upon as proper contraception. Be sure to discuss postpartum contraception with your healthcare provider.
According to this well-accepted theory that high prolactin levels can impair ovarian function, women with elevated prolactin levels who are trying to conceive may experience menstrual and/or ovulatory cycles that are irregular, making it more difficult to become pregnant.
When it comes to prolactin and recurrent miscarriages, however, the jury is still out. A few studies have found elevated prolactin levels in women with recurrent miscarriages. What this finding means, however, is controversial. Some people feel that elevated prolactin may cause miscarriages, while others feel that it is too early to say so definitively.
In Support of the Theory
Given the interworking of so many different hormones in the human body, it's feasible that an imbalance could cause numerous problems. Since hyperprolactinemia may contribute to miscarriages in some women, some doctors may check a woman's prolactin level and give medication to lower the level if it is elevated.
In the case of recurrent miscarriages and prolactin, one older study found elevated prolactin levels in women who had two or pregnancy losses. When these women were treated with a medication called bromocriptine (that works to lower prolactin levels) in their next pregnancy, there was an 85 percent live-born rate compared to the untreated women who had a 52 percent live-born rate.
These findings have not been verified in a large-scale study. But, because the treatment is thought to be safe, some doctors test for and treat elevated prolactin when testing women for causes of recurrent miscarriages.
In Opposition of the Theory
The studies that have found a link between high prolactin levels and miscarriage are not large enough to be conclusive.
In addition, researchers still do not fully understand the functioning of prolactin in the body, and many feel that it is too early to say whether or not the elevated prolactin levels in women with miscarriages have any clinical relevance. Other factors could theoretically account for higher prolactin levels in women with miscarriages.
Where It Stands
Some doctors regularly test prolactin in couples with recurrent miscarriages and prescribe medications, such as bromocriptine or cabergoline, to reduce the prolactin levels. These medications appear to be safe to use during pregnancy and are commonly used for women with infertility from hyperprolactinemia. That being said, there are no formal recommendations to test for and treat prolactin in women with recurrent miscarriages.
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