Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. Too high levels of prolactin can cause serious he alth problems. Too high levels of the hormone prolactin in the blood can be a sign of serious illness and can be dangerous. You have irregular periods, you can't get pregnant? Or maybe you are complaining of sore breasts? Find out if you should get your prolactin levels tested.

Prolactin: what is it?

Prolactinishormonesecreted by the pituitary gland. It makes girls grow breasts during puberty. When a woman is pregnant,normal prolactin levelskeeps the corpus luteum working so that it can continue to produce progesterone - now important for the maintenance of the pregnancy.

Prolactin also stimulates the development of mammary glands and the formation of milk.Too little prolactinin the mother's body is one of the causes of breastfeeding problems. When a woman breastfeeds frequently and for a long time, quite high levels of this hormone are maintained in her body. This prevents the follicles from maturing properly and from ovulating, and therefore prolactin can act as a 'natural contraceptive'. However, it does not provide 100% protection against another pregnancy!

Prolactin: norms

A blood sample taken from a vein is enough to test the prolactin concentration. What might the different levels of this hormone portend?

  • 5-25 ng / ml - you are normal
  • over 25 ng / ml - you may have irregular periods and non-ovulatory cycles
  • over 50 ng / ml - menstruation may stop completely
  • over 100 ng / ml - suspects a pituitary tumor

Prolactin: research

The doctor first of all orders tests for the level of prolactin in the blood. You should report for the test when you are fully rested, on an empty stomach, preferably between 8 and 12 o'clock (at other times the results may not be reliable, because the level of prolactin fluctuates throughout the day). On the day preceding the analysis, you must not exert too much effort (including exercise), you must not eat a hearty dinner or have sex.

When there is too much prolactin, your doctor will test your thyroid hormones. If the results do not indicate an underactive gland, repeat the prolactin test. Before re-analysis, however, you need to take a special onepreparation. This procedure helps to initially determine whether the cause of the hormonal disorders is pituitary adenoma. If the examination confirms its presence, it is recommended to perform an MRI or CT scan to determine the location and size of the tumor.

High prolactin: when to test?

Too high level of prolactin in the body causes many ailments. Especially those related to the breasts that become painful, swollen and tender to touch. Sometimes, despite the fact that the woman is not pregnant and is not feeding the baby, there is a milk discharge from the nipple (also known as galactorrhea).

A characteristic symptom of excess prolactin are disorders of the menstrual cycle - menstruation occurs more often than every 25 days or less than every 33 days. Over time, they become more and more scarce, and finally may disappear altogether. Cycles can also be ovulatory (hence the problems with getting pregnant). Sexual drive lowers and intercourse is painful due to vaginal dryness.

When the excess of prolactin is to blame for a pituitary adenoma - you may have persistent headaches or visual disturbances, and when the cause is hypothyroidism - you may gain weight for no reason.

If your menstrual disorders and breast-related discomforts persist for a long time, you should see a gynecologist / endocrinologist.

Prolactin: price

The cost of the prolactin test depends on the place where the test is performed - prices range from 30 to 50 PLN.

Prolactin: fluctuations

Prolactin levels increase significantly during pregnancy and breastfeeding. But not only. Its level is also subject to certain fluctuations during the day - it rises in the second half of the night, is the highest in the early morning, and then gradually decreases. In the menstrual cycle, the level of prolactin increases slightly with the increase in estrogen levels, and then decreases in the second half of the cycle. Some everyday situations also cause prolactin fluctuations - it increases, for example, after eating a meal, when we get tired, during intercourse or when we get stressed.

Excess Prolactin: Treatment

There is no one single method of lowering the high levels of prolactin in the body. If the medications you are taking are responsible for the hormonal imbalance, your doctor may decide to discontinue them or replace them with other medications. In diseases of the thyroid, kidneys or liver - basic diseases are treated, thanks to which the level of prolactin is lowered.

In the case of pituitary adenoma, the matter is more complicated. The tumor arises (why - it is not known) from glandular tissue (hence the name), and therefore it also has the ability to secrete hormones(including prolactin). The bigger the tumor, the more it can separate.

Most tumors are benign. If they are detected when they are small (below 10 mm), it is often enough to administer drugs (eg Bromocriptine, Norprolac or Dostinex) to disappear after a few months of treatment. Those that do not die after pharmacotherapy or are too large must be surgically removed. Through a small incision under the upper lip (inside the mouth), the neurosurgeon enters the pituitary gland and removes the tumor. Sometimes you also need radiation therapy. Despite being cured, endocrine control and prolactin levels are required for the rest of your life.

Important

Increased prolactin: causes

  • taking medications for a long time, e.g. lowering blood pressure, anti-depressants
  • hypothyroidism
  • chronic renal failure
  • liver disease
  • pituitary gland adenoma
  • chronic stress

Hormones produced in the pituitary gland

The pituitary gland is the size of a bean. It is attached to the base of the brain with a peduncle. It is divided into two lobes. The front one, the bigger one, produces hormones that manage the production of other important hormones.

  • Thyroid hormone (TSH) - stimulates the production and release of thyroid hormones - T3 and T4. It has an effect on the growth of the thyroid gland.
  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) - regulates the functions of the adrenal glands, and thus the secretion of hormones such as aldosterone, cortisone.
  • Gonadotropic hormones, i.e. FSH, LH, prolactin - stimulate the functions of the sex glands, i.e. the ovaries in women and the testes in men.
  • Growth hormone (GH) - supports the development of bones, cartilage and muscles.

Two hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary gland act directly on specific cells in the body. So they are not superior hormones to others.

  • Antidiuretic hormone (ADH, vasopressin) - affects the kidneys and prevents dehydration.
  • Oxytocin - triggers labor contractions of the uterus and causes milk to flow out of the breast in a nursing mother.

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