fbpx

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Hyperprolactinemia

Updated : August 22, 2023





Background

Hyperprolactinemia is characterized by the elevation of the prolactin in the blood, which usually results from several factors such as pathological, physiological, or idiopathic. Prolactin is a pituitary gland hormone responsible for milk production during lactation and breastfeeding.

It is also responsible for reproductive mammary development and stimulates an immune response. It is considered hyperprolactinemia when the serum prolactin levels are elevated above the normal limit of 15 to 20ng/ml.

Epidemiology

It is a common hypothalamic-pituitary endocrine disease. Most commonly occurs in females and rare in males. The prevalence of 9-15% is observed in women with reproductive diseases, 5% in family planning clinics, and 17% in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with secondary amenorrhea have an incidence rate of 5-14%. It usually occurs in less than 1% of the general population.

Anatomy

Pathophysiology

The hormone prolactin is responsible for the production of milk during the span of pregnancy and lactation. Prolactin, estrogen, progesterone, placental hormones, and insulin-like growth factors increase breast alveolar proliferation during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, lactation is suppressed as there is an increase in levels of estrogen. Lactation begins after delivery when there are increased levels of prolactin and a decrease in levels of estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen stimulates the proliferation of lactotrophs in pregnancy, which further secrete prolactin.

The pituitary hypothalamic secretion of prolactin is inhibited by dopamine, the prime inhibitor acting via type 2 dopamine receptor situated on the lactotrophs. Prolactin inhibits the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which further results in the inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion.

Etiology

The physiological cause such as pregnancy, nipple stimulation, lactation, stress, exercise, sexual intercourse, and seizures cause symptomatic hyperprolactinemia and have an acute effect on health. The pituitary gland increases in size during pregnancy, which further increases lactotrophs’ size.

The serum prolactin increases during pregnancy and reaches a peak during delivery. After delivery, the prolactin level decreases. Nipple stimulation increases prolactin mediated by neural pathways during breastfeeding. The pathological cause comprises certain pituitary diseases such as Cushing, prolactinoma, acromegaly, lymphocytic hypophysitis, paraseller mass.

The pharmacological causes are drug-induced such as haloperidol, risperidone, metoclopramide, amitriptyline, fluoxetine, phenytoin, morphine, methadone, and estrogen therapy—systemic disorders such as Polycystic ovary syndrome, primary hyperthyroidism, pseudocyesis (false pregnancy).

Genetics

Prognostic Factors

In patients with prolactinomas, the level of prolactin, size of the tumor, treatment, and surgical intervention success rate determine the prognosis, which is usually good. Such patients are managed with pharmacological therapy for a prolonged period. Recurrence of hyperprolactinemia is higher even after surgical intervention.

Clinical History

Physical Examination

Age group

Associated comorbidity

Associated activity

Acuity of presentation

Differential Diagnoses

Laboratory Studies

Imaging Studies

Procedures

Histologic Findings

Staging

Treatment Paradigm

by Stage

by Modality

Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

Surgical Interventions

Hormone Therapy

Immunotherapy

Hyperthermia

Photodynamic Therapy

Stem Cell Transplant

Targeted Therapy

Palliative Care

Medication

 

bromocriptine

1.25 - 2.5

mg

Orally

once a day

dose can be increased up to 2.5 mg every 2 to 7 days
Maintenance dose: 2.5-15 mg orally once a day



cabergoline 

Initial dose:0.25mg orally twice a week
Can increase by 0.25mg every four weeks up to 1mg twice a week



quinagolide 

Begin with a dosage of 0.025 mg one time every day orally for the first three days, then increase to 0.05 one time every day for the subsequent three days (starter package)
Maintenance dosing (initiated on day seven): 0.075 mg taken one time every day
If necessary, additional incremental adjustments may be made with intervals of at least one week between titrations
maintenance range: The recommended dosage is 0.075-0.15 mg/day; if elevated doses are necessary, Gradually increase the dosage by 0.075-0.15 mg/day every four weeks or more until reaching a maximum dose of 0.9 mg/day



pergolide 

Take an initial dose of 0.05 mg orally one time in a day



metergoline 


Indicated for Hyperprolactinaemia
12 mg orally every day in divided doses, nearly 24 mg every day in the hyperprolactinaemic men



 

bromocriptine

Age: 11-15 years
initial:

1.25 - 2.5

mg

Orally

once a day



 

Media Gallary

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537331/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3853872/

ADVERTISEMENT 

Hyperprolactinemia

Updated : August 22, 2023




Hyperprolactinemia is characterized by the elevation of the prolactin in the blood, which usually results from several factors such as pathological, physiological, or idiopathic. Prolactin is a pituitary gland hormone responsible for milk production during lactation and breastfeeding.

It is also responsible for reproductive mammary development and stimulates an immune response. It is considered hyperprolactinemia when the serum prolactin levels are elevated above the normal limit of 15 to 20ng/ml.

It is a common hypothalamic-pituitary endocrine disease. Most commonly occurs in females and rare in males. The prevalence of 9-15% is observed in women with reproductive diseases, 5% in family planning clinics, and 17% in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with secondary amenorrhea have an incidence rate of 5-14%. It usually occurs in less than 1% of the general population.

The hormone prolactin is responsible for the production of milk during the span of pregnancy and lactation. Prolactin, estrogen, progesterone, placental hormones, and insulin-like growth factors increase breast alveolar proliferation during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, lactation is suppressed as there is an increase in levels of estrogen. Lactation begins after delivery when there are increased levels of prolactin and a decrease in levels of estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen stimulates the proliferation of lactotrophs in pregnancy, which further secrete prolactin.

The pituitary hypothalamic secretion of prolactin is inhibited by dopamine, the prime inhibitor acting via type 2 dopamine receptor situated on the lactotrophs. Prolactin inhibits the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which further results in the inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion.

The physiological cause such as pregnancy, nipple stimulation, lactation, stress, exercise, sexual intercourse, and seizures cause symptomatic hyperprolactinemia and have an acute effect on health. The pituitary gland increases in size during pregnancy, which further increases lactotrophs’ size.

The serum prolactin increases during pregnancy and reaches a peak during delivery. After delivery, the prolactin level decreases. Nipple stimulation increases prolactin mediated by neural pathways during breastfeeding. The pathological cause comprises certain pituitary diseases such as Cushing, prolactinoma, acromegaly, lymphocytic hypophysitis, paraseller mass.

The pharmacological causes are drug-induced such as haloperidol, risperidone, metoclopramide, amitriptyline, fluoxetine, phenytoin, morphine, methadone, and estrogen therapy—systemic disorders such as Polycystic ovary syndrome, primary hyperthyroidism, pseudocyesis (false pregnancy).

In patients with prolactinomas, the level of prolactin, size of the tumor, treatment, and surgical intervention success rate determine the prognosis, which is usually good. Such patients are managed with pharmacological therapy for a prolonged period. Recurrence of hyperprolactinemia is higher even after surgical intervention.

bromocriptine

1.25 - 2.5

mg

Orally

once a day

dose can be increased up to 2.5 mg every 2 to 7 days
Maintenance dose: 2.5-15 mg orally once a day



cabergoline 

Initial dose:0.25mg orally twice a week
Can increase by 0.25mg every four weeks up to 1mg twice a week



quinagolide 

Begin with a dosage of 0.025 mg one time every day orally for the first three days, then increase to 0.05 one time every day for the subsequent three days (starter package)
Maintenance dosing (initiated on day seven): 0.075 mg taken one time every day
If necessary, additional incremental adjustments may be made with intervals of at least one week between titrations
maintenance range: The recommended dosage is 0.075-0.15 mg/day; if elevated doses are necessary, Gradually increase the dosage by 0.075-0.15 mg/day every four weeks or more until reaching a maximum dose of 0.9 mg/day



pergolide 

Take an initial dose of 0.05 mg orally one time in a day



metergoline 


Indicated for Hyperprolactinaemia
12 mg orally every day in divided doses, nearly 24 mg every day in the hyperprolactinaemic men



bromocriptine

Age: 11-15 years
initial:

1.25 - 2.5

mg

Orally

once a day



https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537331/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3853872/

Free CME credits

Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.

Digital Certificate PDF

On course completion, you will receive a full-sized presentation quality digital certificate.

medtigo Simulation

A dynamic medical simulation platform designed to train healthcare professionals and students to effectively run code situations through an immersive hands-on experience in a live, interactive 3D environment.

medtigo Points

medtigo points is our unique point redemption system created to award users for interacting on our site. These points can be redeemed for special discounts on the medtigo marketplace as well as towards the membership cost itself.
 
  • Registration with medtigo = 10 points
  • 1 visit to medtigo’s website = 1 point
  • Interacting with medtigo posts (through comments/clinical cases etc.) = 5 points
  • Attempting a game = 1 point
  • Community Forum post/reply = 5 points

    *Redemption of points can occur only through the medtigo marketplace, courses, or simulation system. Money will not be credited to your bank account. 10 points = $1.

All Your Certificates in One Place

When you have your licenses, certificates and CMEs in one place, it's easier to track your career growth. You can easily share these with hospitals as well, using your medtigo app.

Our Certificate Courses