What is hyperprolactinaemia?
A disorder known as hyperprolactinemia is brought on by unusually high blood levels of prolactin. A gland near the base of the cranium produces the hormone prolactin. It is in charge of a woman’s breast development during adolescence (in conjunction with estrogen) and milk production during pregnancy (galactorrhea). It is linked to impotence, gynecomastia, and sexual desire in men. Its ability to mobilize fatty acids and reduce testosterone levels is one of its activities.
What is the outlook for hyperprolactinaemia?
The prognosis of hyperprolactinaemia is often individualized and depends on the cause, age and overall health.
What are the symptoms of hyperprolactinaemia?
A change in the menstrual cycle is one of the most prevalent signs of hyperprolactinemia in women.
- Women may also experience oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, low progesterone levels following ovulation, vaginal dryness, and milk production unrelated to childbirth;
- Gynecomastia (an increase in the size of male breast tissue), impotence, decreased sexual desire, infertility, loss of muscle mass, and body hair loss are among the symptoms that men experience.
Why does hyperprolactinemia occur?
To determine the amount of prolactin in your blood, a blood test will be required. If prolactin levels are high, a CT scan will be performed to check for microadenomas or adenomas in the pituitary gland or surrounding tissue. The scan will specifically look at the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. You might have vision problems if there is a tumor mass in the optic chiasma. If so, you ought to conduct a visual field test.
What causes hyperprolactinaemia?
There are several causes of hyperprolactinemia.
- Being pregnant
- Puerperium, sometimes referred to as the postpartum phase
- Stress
- Exercising
- Sleep;
- High protein intake;
- Breastfeeding;
- Sexual intercourse;
Additional reasons for hyperprolactinemia include:
- Pituitary adenoma and prolactinoma (a benign tumour that secretes prolactin);
- Non-secretory pituitary adenomas;
- Acromegaly;
- Empty sella syndrome (ESS);
- Cushing’s syndrome;
- Meningioma (malignant tumour of the three layers that protect the brain and spinal cord);
- Testicular cancer;
- Sarcoidosis;
Pharmacological causes or drug-induced hyperprolactinaemia:
- Antidepressants;
- Anti-epileptic drugs;
- Hypertension medication;
- Anti-nausea and vomiting medicine;
- Antihistamines;
Other causes of hyperprolactinaemia include:
- Herpes (shingles) lesions;
- Spinal injury;
- Hypothyroidism;
- Kidney failure;
- Cirrhosis;
- Adrenal insufficiency;
How does one treat hyperprolactinemia?
There is no special treatment needed for asymptomatic hyperprolactinemia. In other situations, the cause of hyperprolactinemia will determine how it is treated.
Which medical professional handles hyperprolactinemia?
You should consult an endocrinologist for a precise diagnosis and treatment of hyperprolactinemia.