Hyperprolactinemia

PeopleImages / Getty Images Causes of Hyperprolactinemia Prolactin levels may be elevated for any number of reasons. One of the more common causes is the formation of a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. This noncancerous growth, known as a prolactinoma, directly secretes excessive prolactin while decreasing the levels of other sex hormones. Because hyperprolactinemia in men does not always cause obvious symptoms, it is sometimes difficult to spot. In some cases, headaches caused by the pituitary tumor or Diagnosis of Hyperprolactinemia The diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia involves a routine blood test to check prolactin levels. If the levels are elevated, the doctor may want to repeat the test, this time after you fast for at least eight hours. • The medications Parlodel (bromocriptine) and Dostinex (cabergoline) are known to be effective in reducing prolactin levels and shrinking pituitary tumors. • Surgery may sometimes be used to remove a pituitary tumor if the medications are not working or are poorly tolerated. • Radiation, while rarely used, may be suggested if the medicines and surgery have not been effective. • Hypothyroidism can be treated with synthetic thyroid hormone, which should bring prolactin levels down. • If high prolactin levels are caused by prescription drugs, substitute medications may be prescribed.

Medical condition Hyperprolactinaemia Other names Hyperprolactinemia Hyperprolactinaemia is the presence of abnormally high levels of Although hyperprolactinemia can result from normal physiological changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it can also be caused by other etiologies. For example, high prolactin levels could result from diseases affecting the In the general population, the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia is 0.4%. Signs and symptoms [ ] In women, high blood levels of prolactin are typically associated with In men, the most common symptoms of hyperprolactinemia are decreased Long-term hyperprolactinaemia can lead to detrimental changes in bone metabolism as a result of Causes [ ] Prolactin secretion is regulated by both stimulatory and inhibitory mechanisms. Hyperprolactinemia inhibits the secretion of In many people, elevated prolactin levels remain unexplained and may represent a form of Causes of hyperprolactinemia Physiologic hypersecretion • • • • Chest wall Injury • • Stress-associated • Exercise Hypothalamic-pituitary stalk damage • Tumors • • • • • Metastases • Empty sella • • Adenoma with stalk compression • • • Irradiation • • Pituitary stalk section • Suprasellar surgery Pituitary hypersecretion • • • Systemic disorders • • • • • Drug-induced hypersecretion • Dopamine receptor blockers • • • • • • Dopamine synthesis inhibitors • • Catecholamine depletors • • • H2 antagonists • • Tricyclic antidepressants • • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor...

Prolactin is a hormone produced from the It’s normal to have this condition during pregnancy or when producing milk for breastfeeding. Certain conditions or use of specific medications, however, can cause hyperprolactinemia in anyone. The causes and effects of high prolactin levels vary depending on a person’s sex. Read on to learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of hyperprolactinemia. An increased level of prolactin may be caused by a variety of secondary conditions. Most often, hyperprolactinemia is caused by pregnancy — which is normal. According to a Other causes of hyperprolactinemia include: • acid • • estrogen • • • • infection, tumor, or trauma of the • anti-nausea medication such as metoclopramide (Primperan, Reglan) Symptoms of hyperprolactinemia can differ in men and women. Since prolactin levels affect milk production and menstrual cycles, it can be difficult to detect in men. If a man is experiencing Symptoms in females: • infertility • irregular periods • change in menstrual flow • pause in menstrual cycle • • • • Symptoms in males: • • lactation • infertility • • • headaches • vision change Treatment of hyperprolactinemia is mostly focused on returning prolactin levels to normal. In the case of a tumor, surgery may be needed to remove the prolactinoma, but the condition can often be managed with medication. Treatment may involve: • • synthetic thyroid hormones • change of medication • medication to reduce prolactin, such as Typically, hyperprolacti...

Hyperprolactinemia is a condition in which a person has higher than normal levels of the Prolactin is made by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized organ found at the base of the brain. The main function of prolactin is to stimulate lactation (breast milk production) after childbirth, so having high prolactin levels in pregnancy is normal. Production of prolactin is controlled by two main hormones: dopamine and Endocrine Condition In addition to promoting lactation, prolactin decreases other pituitary hormones—luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone—that normally stimulate the function of ovaries and testes. Therefore, high prolactin causes low estrogen in women and low testosterone in men and decreases fertility in both women and men. Low estrogen and testosterone also can result in bone loss and Diagnosis and Prevention A blood test is used to detect excess prolactin. If prolactin levels are high, more tests are usually done to check for other hormones including thyroid hormone levels and to rule out pregnancy in women . Low thyroid (hypothyroidism) sometimes causes hyperprolactinemia . A test for an abnormal form of prolactin (macroprolactin) might also need to be done. Macroprolactin does not cause any health problems. Your doctor will also ask about other conditions and get a detailed list of the medications you are taking since some of them can cause elevated prolactin. Many times, excess prolactin is produced by a pituitary tumor that is called prolactinoma....