Logan Steele
Prolactin is a hormone that plays an important role in the healthy functioning of the body. Excessive levels of prolactin can cause health issues, including abnormal breast milk production, irregular periods, and infertility in females, and breast growth, milk production, and erectile dysfunction in males. Prolactinomas, or noncancerous tumours of the pituitary gland, can cause high levels of prolactin. Research has also found elevated prolactin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, suggesting a link between excess prolactin and joint pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Excess Prolactin | Caused by noncancerous tumors of the pituitary gland, called prolactinomas, or other health conditions or medications |
| Prolactinoma Symptoms | Vision difficulties, infertility, irregular periods, reduced libido, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, enlarged breasts in men, smaller muscles in men, vaginal dryness, acne, excessive body and facial hair growth in women, reduced body and facial hair in men |
| Joint and Muscle Pain | Prolactin has been found to be elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, and may play a role in disease severity and joint damage |
| Treatment | Medication or surgery to shrink the tumor and reduce prolactin levels |
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What You'll Learn
Prolactinomas can cause excess prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone that plays an important role in the healthy functioning of the body. It helps the body maintain an overall stable condition and also allows nursing individuals to lactate. The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, produces prolactin. This gland helps regulate hormones in the body.
Prolactinomas are noncancerous tumours of the pituitary gland that cause the pituitary gland to make too much of the hormone prolactin. This results in a decrease in some sex hormones, namely oestrogen and testosterone. Prolactinomas are more common in females than in males. They rarely occur in children and adolescents.
The cause of prolactinomas is usually unknown, but genetics may play a part in some cases. For example, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is a genetic disorder that may increase the risk of developing prolactinomas. Other factors that can lead to excess prolactin in the blood include certain medications and health conditions.
High levels of prolactin in the blood, or hyperprolactinemia, can cause health problems such as irregular periods and infertility in females and low testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction in males. It can also cause vision difficulties, vaginal dryness, acne, and excessive body and facial hair growth.
If you suspect you have any symptoms of high prolactin levels or prolactinoma, it is important to speak with a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. Treatment options may include medications, surgery, or radiation therapy.
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Prolactin is linked to arthritis
Prolactin is a lactation-inducing hormone with immunomodulatory properties. It is produced by the pituitary gland, a small bean-shaped gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland helps regulate hormones in the body and controls important functions such as growth, metabolism, blood pressure, and reproduction.
Excess prolactin in the body can cause health issues. Noncancerous tumours of the pituitary gland, called prolactinomas, can lead to high levels of prolactin. Prolactinomas are the most common type of hormone-producing tumour found in the pituitary gland. They can cause decreased levels of sex hormones, particularly estrogen and testosterone, resulting in reproductive issues such as irregular periods and infertility in females, and erectile dysfunction and decreased body hair in males.
Elevated levels of prolactin have been found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic diseases. Studies have shown that prolactin may play a role in the severity and progression of joint damage in RA. Prolactin receptor expression is enhanced in patients with inflammatory arthritis, and prolactin interaction with its receptor has pro-inflammatory effects, potentially contributing to disease activity.
The prolactin antagonist cabergoline has been studied for the control of unremitting rheumatoid arthritis. This suggests that prolactin may be a therapeutic target in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis.
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High prolactin levels can cause bone issues
Prolactin is a hormone that helps breast development, particularly in females. It is produced by the pituitary gland, a small bean-shaped gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland has an effect on almost every part of the body, helping to control important functions such as growth, metabolism, blood pressure, and reproduction.
In females, high prolactin levels can cause irregular menstrual periods, abnormal breast milk production (galactorrhea), and vaginal dryness. Premenopausal women may notice these signs earlier when the tumours are smaller, while postmenopausal women may notice symptoms later when the tumours are larger. In males, high prolactin levels can lead to erectile dysfunction, decreased body and facial hair, enlarged breasts, and reduced muscle mass.
Medications and certain health conditions can also cause high prolactin levels. For example, some antipsychotic medications and drugs that affect dopamine levels may increase prolactin production. Treating the underlying condition or discontinuing the medication can help return prolactin levels to the expected range.
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Prolactin affects sex hormones
Prolactin is a hormone that plays an important role in the healthy functioning of the body. It is produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland controls hormone production and helps regulate important functions such as growth, metabolism, blood pressure, and reproduction.
Excess prolactin can interfere with the reproductive system and cause decreased levels of sex hormones, namely estrogen in women and testosterone in men. This can lead to irregular periods and infertility in women, and erectile dysfunction in men. Prolactin can also affect libido and sexual desire, with elevated levels associated with a decrease in sexual interest in both sexes.
In women, prolactin plays a crucial role in enabling breast milk production after childbirth. During this time, high prolactin levels can also stop menstrual periods and decrease sexual desire. Usually, prolactin levels return to normal when breastfeeding ends, and the menstrual cycle resumes. However, sometimes prolactin levels remain high, resulting in a condition called hyperprolactinemia, which can cause infertility and bone loss in both women and men.
Hyperprolactinemia can be caused by a noncancerous pituitary gland tumor called a prolactinoma, which leads to excess prolactin production. It can also be caused by certain medications, chronic kidney disease, or hypothyroidism in both sexes. Additional factors that can increase prolactin levels in women include physical or psychological stress, pregnancy, and nipple stimulation.
While prolactin is typically associated with reproductive functions, it has other roles as well. For example, it may play a role in the pleasurable perception of sad music, as its levels tend to rise when a person feels sad. Prolactin also has immunomodulatory properties and is found at elevated levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
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Medication can cause high prolactin
The medications that most commonly cause hyperprolactinemia are antipsychotic agents, although some newer atypical antipsychotics do not have this effect. Antipsychotics work by blocking endogenous dopamine receptors, which causes prolactin secretion to increase. Other medications that can cause hyperprolactinemia include antidepressants, antihypertensive agents, and drugs that increase bowel motility. The effect of these medications on prolactin levels may be dose-dependent.
Women on chronic prolactin-raising antipsychotics seem more likely to develop hyperprolactinemia than men, and they reach significantly higher prolactin levels during treatment. This may be because younger women have higher prolactin levels due to their reproductive status. However, drug-induced hyperprolactinemia has been found to be more common in women aged 25-44 than in men.
If medication is causing high prolactin levels, stopping the medication will usually cause prolactin levels to return to normal. However, stopping prescription medication should always be done in consultation with a doctor. If the medication cannot be stopped, it may be switched to an alternative that does not cause hyperprolactinemia.
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Frequently asked questions
Hyperprolactinemia means you have high levels of prolactin in your blood. The most common cause is a prolactinoma, a benign or noncancerous tumour in your pituitary gland.
High prolactin levels can cause irregular periods, abnormal breast milk production, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, infertility, and osteoporosis. Prolactinoma can also cause vision difficulties and headaches.
Studies have shown that patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis have elevated levels of prolactin. Prolactin has pro-inflammatory effects and may play a role in disease severity and joint damage. However, there is ongoing research into the role of prolactin in rheumatoid arthritis, with some studies showing inconsistent results.
