Lowering E2 levels with Dopamine

[jwh7699]

I've read a few articles on-line that dopamine can help lower estrogen levels. My Doctor put me on Wellbutrin, which is an ant-depressant that raises dopamine levels.

I was wondering if dopamine does help lower estrogen?

Thanks!!

[jimmyinkedup]

Dopamine has more of a direct effect on prolactin.
iirc the dopamine estrogen correlation applies to women with pms. The correlation would not apply imo because it has been found that excess estrogen may result in dopamine depletion - that however doesnt mean increasing dopamine will lower estrogen.
Even if it does I am not sure its clinically significant.
Im def open to input from others if there is other info on this topic i am unaware of.

[jwh7699]

Thanks for the info! My last blood test did indicate my Prolactin level was on the high side. This was prior to me starting on Wellbutrin. It is just a coincidence that I started on Wellbutrin at the same time. I told my Doctor I wanted to be placed on Wellbutrin, after some research on-line, it is one of the few Anti-depressants whose side effects that do not cause weight gain.

[edmundo22]

Look into carbergoline instead of welbutrin, I ordered it myself after my doc denied me a prescription for welbutrin..It's used to lower prolactin and is a very powerful dopamine agonist, I'm loosing weight on it and smoking half of what I used to...It's pretty amazing are hormones having an effect on the chemicals in our brain, I'm sure there's some study's done on this, I read an article saying estradiol too low leads to lower levels of seratonin causing depression in some cases manic depression.

[jwh7699]

Thanks for the tip on the different options out there! I take Celexa, an anti-depressant, to help with serotonin levels. I started taking Wellbutrin also, because it helps with energy levels too.

I have two Doctors, one for my physical health (hormones, etc..) and one for my mental health. The elevated Prolactin levels came up after blood work done by my first Doctor. They are going to re-check it in a few months and if it is still elevated they will do a MRI of my Pituitary Gland to rule out tumors.

Best of Luck!!

[edmundo22]

You do know that depression can be induced by high prolactin?

[jwh7699]

I'm aware. Thanks!! I've taken anti-depressants for years prior to TRT. I've had a lot of anxiety issues through the years. There is a theory that because my fight or flight system was maxed out for so many years that it caused my lowered T levels now.

I've had anxiety issues since I was 20, I know that is to young to have T level issues, so maybe I do have something going on with my pituitary gland. Time will tell.

Best of Luck!!

[edmundo22]

But there's an actual thing callled prolactina induced depression???

[jwh7699]

I got this from a different website, it's not a scientific site so I won't link to it.

"It doesn't do so only by interfering with testosterone . High prolactin levels are also reversely related to our sense of well-being, or directly related to depression. There is a correlation between sufficiently high testosterone levels and sufficiently high levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine."

Prolactin also binds itself to dopamine. When we have low levels of dopamine we feel sadder. Women get post-partum depression after giving birth because their prolactin level rises and their dopamine levels drops.


From your wording I wasn't sure if you were asking a question or making a statement. I re-read it and now it makes more sense to me, you were asking if I knew high levels of prolactin can cause depression. I'm getting better educated on it now, but I am always open for new input.

Thanks again!! Cheers!!

[nyjetsfan]

Interesting conversation. Just a note: a lot of guys (including me) were put on anti D's prior to TRT because the dr never thought of checking for low T ( The real cause.) Once the patient gets on TRT - Some, not all- feel better. Then the problem becomes getting off the anti depressants because of the withdrawal!

[jwh7699]

I'm not a Doctor, so always check with your doc before stopping any anti-depressants.

That being said I know from my own experience that you don't want to stop taking anti-depressants cold turkey. Side effects of stopping cold turkey can be sweating profusely, rapid heart beat, unclear thinking, and possible seizures. It's best to gradually step down the medication to ween yourself off.

Like I said check with your Doctor first.

[jwh7699]

Some interesting information I found on Dopamine in relation to anti-depressants. The bottom link lists common anti-depressants that fall under this list. Most anti-depressants raise serotonin levels, but have no effect on lowered dopamine levels. This being said it may be beneficial to check with your Doctor regarding adding a Dopamine agonist along with your serotonin agonist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine

Effects of drugs that reduce dopamine activity
In humans, drugs that reduce dopamine activity (neuroleptics, e.g. antipsychotics) have been shown to impair concentration, reduce motivation, cause anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure), and long-term use has been associated with tardive dyskinesia, an irreversible movement disorder.[26] Antipsychotics have significant effects on gonadal hormones including significantly lower levels of estradiol and progesterone in women, whereas men display significantly lower levels of testosterone and DHEA when undergoing antipsychotic drug treatment compared to controls. Antipsychotics are known to cause hyperprolactinaemia leading to amenorrhea, cessation of normal cyclic ovarian function, loss of libido, occasional hirsutism, false positive pregnancy tests, and long-term risk of osteoporosis in women. The effects of hyperprolactinemia in men are gynaecomastia, lactation, impotence, loss of libido, and hypospermatogenesis.[27] Furthermore, antipsychotic drugs are associated with weight gain, diabetes, drooling, dysphoria (abnormal depression and discontent), fatigue, sexual dysfunction, heart rhythm problems, stroke and heart attack.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_tranquilizer