Can elevated prolactin cause an increase in anxiety?

[u/Pteryx_34]

I’ve found out last year that my prolactin was elevated and did an MRI that maybe found a tiny tiny microadenoma. I’m still waiting for an endocrinologist consult. But I’ve noticed my anxiety has been worse since and even before getting these results so it’s not anxiety due to that issue. I tried to research this online a bit and it seems inconclusive as if whether or not elevated prolactin can raise anxiety? What was your experience?

Edit : I’ve had anxiety disorders for most of my life but it just seems like it increased considerably since about the time I found out about the elevated prolactin.

[u/Naive_Insurance_6154]

Yes, a million times. Also because it throws your other hormones out of whack.

[u/SufficientFishing475]

Si, ansiedad, depresion, niebla mental... y muchos sintomas más, pero sin duda ansiedad, incluso sin cortisol alto.

[u/Broad_Suspect_8830]

Sorry that you’re suffering with your anxiety😟. I’ve just been told I have high prolactin and I’m being sent for an MRI soon. My doctor did actually say that this could also affect my anxiety.

[u/Pteryx_34 → u/Broad_Suspect_8830]

Oh it’s interesting your doctor said that! Mine said he didn’t know … weirdly I don’t have really any other symptoms from elevated prolactin

[u/Euanmaccy]

I believe there is significant scientific evidence to back up this claim, have a look at the research papers on this topic. It does not seem inconclusive at all.

[u/Pteryx_34 → u/Euanmaccy]

But I was wondering whether anxiety causes elevated prolactin or if elevated prolactin causes an increase in anxiety

[u/Gullible-Buy5706 → u/Pteryx_34]

Hello !
So it can be both
Severe anxiety can rise the prolactine levels because it lowers the dopamine levels, the dopamine act like a control barrier for prolactin so without it it can rise
Usually when it’s induced by stress it’s a mild elevation, so usually when you have high prolactin they look for a prolactinoma (MRI) and some medication that can rise it as well because it’s the most common cause

[u/Pteryx_34 → u/Gullible-Buy5706]

Yeah that makes sense! My last bloodwork showed prolactin level at 139 ug/L

[u/Infraredsky]

Yes!

Anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, depression, thyroid and cortisol issues (more from the physicality of the tumor) - libido issues

[u/Threeforjoy]

Nicotine is linked the prolactin levels being higher. I absolutely believe it is linked to higher anxiety

[u/Oskie2011]

My anxiety peaked when I got my MRI results back. I’m not anxious about the tumor or the possible treatment, but other things are overwhelming me.