One of the things to know is that prolactin release is pulsatile in nature and levels vary according to time since pumping. They peak at around 45 minutes past initiation of breastfeeding or pumping. So when I have prolactin levels drawn, I try to get a peak level. Under 8 weeks postpartum, levels should be 300-400 according to my texts. (I have Hartmann and Hale's Lactation Physiology). A level of 175 as a peak level seems low to me. I would suggest domperidone if available. Higher prolactin levels have a repressive effect on estrogen also. And low estrogen levels is associated with full lactation - thus the repression of menstrual cycles during lactation.
-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carmela Baeza
Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2015 10:23 AM
Subject: Levels of 17-beta estradiol during breastfeeding
Hi everyone,
I am working with the mother of a preemie who is having big time production issues, and I am at a loss as to what to do next.
The beginning was a disaster because she received no support at all the first days so she did not start pumping until the third day after her child was born. I started working with her two weeks after birth, when she was pumping four times a day with a hand pump and getting about 5 ml per session.
Production has not gone above 60 ml per day. She is pumping ten times a day, good double hospital grade pump, right flanges, has support from her husband and personnel, is doing skin to skin several hours a day. She is on domperidone. The baby is doing well, she has had no major complications and is thriving. She is now 34 weeks, and will be discharged next week.
She had a hormone test last week and she has just sent me the results. I am having a very hard time finding information to interpret them and yes, I´m a doctor!!!! I cannot find normal levels of some hormones during lactation in the literature.
The blood was drawn 4 days before her period, so pre-mentrual (end of lutheal phase). FSH is low (2 mUI/ml), LH is also low (0.4 mUI/ml), 17-beta estradiol is high (170.2 pg/ml) and prolactin is high (176.3 ng/ml).
Thyroid function is normal.
It seems to me that LH should be higher and that estradiol should be low...
but, as I said, I cannot find normal values in breastfeeding women.
Anuyody have this information or can shed any light?
Thank you,
Kika
--
Dra. Carmela Baeza
Médico de Familia
Consultora Certificada en Lactancia Materna IBCLC www.centroraices.com http://www.facebook.com/Consulta.Lactancia.Raices
<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Centro-de-Atenci%C3%B3n-a-la-Familia-Ra%C3%ADces/274415189309122>
Autora de "Amar con los Brazos Abiertos"
http://www.ediciones-encuentro.es/libro/amar-con-los-brazos-abiertos.html
Comprometida con el Derecho a Vivir
http://derechoavivir.org
***********************************************
Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome
***********************************************
Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome
|
