Brain / CNS Tumors Support Group

Yes, pituitary tumors can cause miscarriages but not in all cases. Have you seen endrocine specialist and a gyn/ob to test your prolactin levels and all your thyroid functions? I had a pituitary tumor when I was 19. The only way it was detected was by my visible symptoms, and high reading of prolactin in my blood. The only time your should have a high prolactin level is when you pregnant otherwise, most likely your pituitary gland is functioning abnormally and most likely due to a tumor in or around the gland. Most of these tumors are 99% non-cancer however, they can cause all kinds of problems..like miscarriages, irregular periods, lactating milk from the breasts, dizziness, etc. My suggestion to you is get your hormones checked. Then if you reading is abnormal, get a MRI to see if there is a tumor in the gland. They will most likely inject a dye when you get the scan, because the gland is so tiny, the size of your baby finger nail.
Unfortunately, I was ok after the surgery until 5 yrs later around 24 when my readings began to rise again. I don't have another tumor, but I do have a condition called hyperprolactinema. Pituitary gland is overactive and causes prolactin production for no-apparent reason. You can treat overactive pituitary - prolactin secreting kinds, with a medication called Dostinex. This would regulate your cycle and ovulations.

I hope this helped. Please feel free to email me on this site, for any help or advice I can give...I am a survivor and I know you will be fine.
Many blessings of good health.
Elena

Thank you for responding and for all the info. Here’s my background info, which I guess I should have written to begin with.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was about 10 years old. I have been getting regular blood tests since then to make sure I don’t develop any further problems. When I was 18, one of my tests showed that the proteins in my blood had bonded abnormally and there was a chance that I had a pituitary tumor. I had an MRI and it showed that I have a pituitary adenoma. I’ve been tested and they said it is benign and non-secreting. I’m just supposed to get MRIs every year to make sure it doesn’t grow at all because if it grows, it could spread to other parts of the brain and I would have some major problems. I had an appointment for a follow-up MRI and then I found out I was pregnant so I had to cancel it.

Glad to hear back from you and to be of help...
Ok, I had a pituitary adenoma as well. Removed 10 yrs ago. Since then, I have yearly MRIs and no growth re-appearance. But I do have hyperprolatinema, where my gland is acting overactive and secreting the prolatin hormone without the pressure of a new or existing growth.
How big is your adenoma? Do you know?
Is it too small to remove?
Mine was 8mm the size of a green pea which is pretty big for a gland the size of you baby finger nail. So, I had to get mine out before it broke outside of the gland and started putting pressure around the hypothalmus area of the brain. They are slow growing tumors, however, even though they are non-cancer (99%) of the time, they can cause other problems as mentioned. Miscarriage, inconsistent ovulation, irregular periods, lactating of breast milk (when not pregnant) blurred vision, dizziness etc...Most importantly, since it lies behind the optic nerve, if it does get bigger it can start to narrow in your preifial vision. Very important to get a field of visions test. This can also help the eye doctor to see how big and where it is sitting better in conjunction with you eye sight.

So in a nutshell, go for the MRI and request too for a field of visions test.
Glad to be of help!!

xx Elena

My tumor is 5 mm. I started seeing "floaters" recently and I went to my optometrist. He said my eyes are okay and that it's probably just a build up of protein. I still can't help but worry it is caused by the tumor, though. It's scary. I'm 21 years old and I'm constantly worried about my brain. :(
Anyways, thank you!

Yes, I can relate about always thinking about it...
Floaters can also be an indication of stress or the onset of headache, like a migraine. I was told this by my doctors.
Besides, I also suffer with migraines, so when I see a floater it's my signal Im getting one.
Keep in touch.
Best of luck. Many blessings.
Elena xx

Hi, I have had both problems with a pregnancy and a miscarriage, both of which due to my pituitary adenoma.

In June of 2004 I gave birth to my daughter after an 8 1/2 month long bedridden pregnancy, I was extremely ill throughout the entire pregnancy and was considered high risk to lose the baby. In August of 2004 I underwent a series of CT's and MRI's and the adenoma was discovered, all of my doctors (endo, ob/gyno, gp) said that the pregnancy problems were caused by the adenoma. In February of this year I miscarried twins at 12 weeks due again to the adenoma.

I had been afraid of becoming pregnant again after the fiasco with my daughter, now that I have had a miscarriage to go with the problem pregnancy I do not think that I want to try it again. That being said I would like to point out that I already have two children (I had one in 1998 and it was problem free so I'm relatively sure that the adenoma formed between 1998 and 2003) so for me it isn't a question of not becoming a mother, if I didn't have my children I would probably chance it again because I think that, for me personal, it is worth it.

Tiffi, thanks for the response. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through a miscarriage too.

Thank you, and I am so very sorry that you have also had to go through one. A miscarriage is something I would not wish on my worst enemy! I don't know about you but I know that for me finding out it was due to my pre-existing medical condition threw me into an emotional tailspin. I went through a stage of intense guilt which looking back now I guess was irrational!

Hello Reno37.. I began the long journey with my Pituitary TUmor back in 1978. Had Surgery for an invasive tumor that forced the Pituitary out of the Sella, my prolactin level was over 1000 at the time. I have been on parlodel since 1978. I found out pretty early that since my prolactin level was high and I still had residual cells from the surgery, my chances of pregnancy were lost. I did not begin having a period until two years after surgery and it was chemically enduce. I had other medical issues that could have complicated things even more.
Be certain your endocrinologist and OB/Gyn are in constant contact on your care. In my case, I recently found out that the MRI I had taken in 2005, showed a regrowth has begun.
Good Luck and Take Care