Hyperprolactinaemia- what are the causes of this condition?
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Hello, my sister is sufferig from hyperprolactinaemia. What are the causes of this condition? Please elaborate in detail, so that it would be easier for us to understand the intensity of this problem.
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@parthib Pregnancy.
Puerperium.
Breast stimulation.
Stress - physical (including excessive exercise) or psychological - including venepuncture.
Macroprolactinaemia:
This refers to prolactin of high molecular mass, mostly complexes of monomeric prolactin with immunoglobulins (prolactin autoantibody complexes). These larger molecules have low bioactivity and a prolonged clearance rate similar to that of immunoglobulins. Depending on the immunoassay used, macroprolactinaemia may account for 25% of laboratory documented hyperprolactinaemia. Consider this cause in an asymptomatic patient with hyperprolactinaemia and consult laboratory staff.
Pituitary tumours:
Abnormally high levels of prolactin may be caused by a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumour or by a non-secreting pituitary tumour that prevents dopamine (prolactin release-inhibiting hormone) from reaching normal prolactin-producing cells.
Prolactinomas:
Microprolactinomas (the most common, approximately 90%).
Macroprolactinomas (>10 mm size - approximately 10%).
Pituitary or hypothalamic tumour compressing the pituitary stalk - eg, craniopharyngioma.