2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Prolactin is a hormone that is produced and secreted by the adenohypophysis - the front of the pituitary gland. Prolactin is also called the hormone of lactation.
The reason for this name is the active participation in the preparation of the woman's body for breastfeeding - she grows and begins to synthesize breast milk. The physiological role of prolactin in men it is not yet clear.
The secretion of prolactin in humans it is uneven. During the day it is low and increases during sleep. The menstrual cycle has very little effect on prolactin levels.
During pregnancy, its level increases, and during the lactation period it changes markedly, depending on the rhythm of breastfeeding. Many physiological situations can cause an increase in the level of prolactin in the blood - irritation when sucking during breastfeeding, stress, hard physical work, sexual intercourse and more.
Prolactin levels
Normal prolactin levels vary between 59 - 619 mIU / l. With elevated prolactin levels, the breasts become painful, there is distorted vision and headache, irregular cycle and ovulation, amenorrhea, vaginal dryness. Breast milk may leak. At significantly elevated levels of prolactin hypothyroidism may occur.
Elevated amounts of prolactin can cause serious adverse effects such as infertility as a result of prevented ovulation. When prolactin levels become too high, disorders in the secretion of gonadrotopin from the hypothalamus and luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland are observed. These processes cause disorders in the release of progesterone and estrogen.
The reasons for high levels of prolactin are several. The most common cause of high prolactin is pituitary adenoma. It is defined as a benign disease, not cancer. Other possible causes are protein intake, painkillers, antidepressants, birth control pills, blood pressure pills, certain hormonal medications, drugs and alcohol.
Causes of high prolactin can be brain diseases, cirrhosis of the liver, thyroid problems, ovarian disease. High hemodialysis was observed in 65% of patients prolactin. For this reason, it is believed that kidney disease may also be associated with pituitary adenoma.
High levels of prolactin can be detected by a blood test, and at least two are needed to detect an increased amount of prolactin. A blood test is often done after a blood test to see if there is a pituitary tumor. This tumor occurs in about 5% of women with high prolactin.
Low prolactin levels can be caused by overdose with Vitex, disease states such as certain autoimmune disorders, postoperative periods, anterior pituitary dysfunction.
Prolactin test
This test measures the levels of prolactin. Food and water should not be taken before the test for a period of time that the doctor must determine. The test should not be performed when experiencing emotional stress or physical exertion immediately before the test, nipple stimulation, sleep problems.
Test to determine the levels of prolactin is done to find the possible reason for the lack of a cycle; to determine if there is a pituitary tumor; in men with suspected pituitary problems.
Treatment of high prolactin
Hormone therapy is prescribed to cure high prolactin, which is caused by kidney failure or hypothyroidism. It aims to normalize the amount of prolactin in the blood and eliminate galactorrhea / leakage of secretions from the breast /.
When the reason for high prolactin is taking a certain medication, this intake is stopped. In the presence of pituitary tumors, medical or surgical treatment is undertaken, depending on the size of the tumor.
