Hyperprolactinemia is a health condition where an individual has a higher range of prolactin levels in the blood as compared to the normal one. The prolactin hormone is used to reviving the production of breast milk after childbirth, Due to this, during pregnancy high prolactin are quite normal. The hormone prolactin also put some impact on the sex hormones levels (estrogen and testosterone) in men as well as women. Prolactin hormone is used to made by the pituitary gland, which is a pea-sized organ at the start of the brain.

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What are the Causes of Hyperprolactinemia?

One of the most common causes of the disease is an undesirable growth or tumor on the gland which is responsible to produce prolactin hormone (pituitary) called a prolactinoma. This growth or tumor release the high levels of prolactin. These tumors are usually small in size and non-cancerous. Large tumors or growth can have some other symptoms too such as headaches, vision problems, or both. This problem is are common in women as compare to men and its rarely occur in children.

A certain set of prescribed medicine can become the cause of increased prolactin levels. These include medicines for:

• High blood pressure

• Depression

• Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease

• Nausea and vomiting

• Pain

• Birth Control Pills

• Serious mental health disorders

• Menopausal symptoms

Some other causes of hyperprolactinemia include:

• Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid

• Chest-wall injuries

• Other tumors and diseases affecting the pituitary gland

• Chronic liver and kidney diseases

Common Signs and Symptoms of Hyperprolactinemia?

One of the most common sign and symptoms of hyperprolactinemia in both men and women can be infertility, low sex drive. In addition, women may have some other symptoms too such as:

• Vaginal dryness,

• Pain during intercourse

• Having irregular periods or no periods

• Production of breast milk even when are not pregnant or nursing

Some sign and symptoms of Hyperprolactinemia in Men:

• Erectile dysfunction

• Breast enlargement called gynecomastia

• Decreased muscle mass and body hair

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Hyperprolactinemia Diagnosis:

Your doctor may suggest you go for a blood test which is used to detect a higher level of prolactin. If any individual is having a higher level of prolactin, then your doctor may suggest some more blood tests check your thyroid hormone.

Level of normal thyroid hormone rules out hypothyroidism due to hyperprolactinemia.

If the doctor gets suspect with the prolactinoma, he/she may suggest an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of your brain and pituitary is often the next step.

What is the Treatment for Hyperprolactinemia?

The treatment for hyperprolactinemia completely depends on the cause. People who have high prolactin levels, people who are fewer or no signs, they do not need any treatment. Ways your doctor may use to treat tumors include:

Prescribed medicines. Cabergoline and bromocriptine are the medicine which your doctor may recommend you to decrease prolactin level. Usually, medicines work effectively for prolactinomas treatment.

Surgery to remove a tumor. Surgery may be recommended if medicines are not working efficiently. Sometimes, surgery is also needed if the tumor is affecting your visibility.

Radiation. It is quite rare, but if any other treatment like medicines or surgery has not been worked, then the only option lest for treatment is radiation, which is used to shrink the tumor.

Here, we have discussed the Hyperprolactinemia, it is a problem which occurred when the level of the particular hormone raise. So, if you find those symptoms then don’t ignore and consult to your doctor for better treatment.

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