If high prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) isn't treated, it can cause infertility, irregular periods, low libido, erectile dysfunction, bone loss (osteoporosis), and milk production (galactorrhea) in non-pregnant individuals, as well as potential headaches and vision problems if a pituitary tumor grows large enough to press on the optic nerve or affect other pituitary hormones. Untreated issues can significantly impact quality of life and lead to more serious complications, though it's usually manageable with treatment.
Prolactin is a hormone that's responsible for breast tissue development and lactation. Hyperprolactinemia isn't life-threatening. But it can cause infertility and other issues that can impact your quality of life. The good news is that it's treatable.
If high prolactin level is not treated on time, it can lead to several complications, such as: High prolactin levels in the blood can cause infertility in men and women due to hormonal imbalance. The risk of fractures and osteoporosis increases in men and women due to decreased bone density.
The pituitary gland can make a high amount of prolactin due to reasons other than a prolactinoma, including: Medicines. Other types of pituitary tumors. Kidney disease.
7 Hacks to Lower Your Prolactin Levels
High prolactin levels can cause irregular periods and infertility in women. High prolactin levels can lead to loss of libido and erectile dysfunction in men.
Cabergoline is a tablet treatment used to reduce the production of a hormone called prolactin by the pituitary gland (a gland at the base of the brain).
Most cases of hyperprolactinemia are caused by increased prolactin secretion from the pituitary gland, which also produces many other hormones that travel throughout the body. In women, physical or psychological stress, pregnancy and nipple stimulation have all been found to increase prolactin levels.
Prolactinomas are the most common pituitary tumors, occuring frequently in females 20–50 years of age. However, they are uncommon in childhood and adolescence.
Prescription Medications: Medicines called dopamine agonists like bromocriptine and cabergoline can decrease prolactin production and usually decrease the size of prolactinomas even when the tumor is large. Medicines work well for most people with prolactinomas and are well tolerated.
Some common causes are: Pituitary tumors that are not cancer (prolactinomas) Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) Medicines given for depression, psychosis, and high blood pressure.
Pituitary Tumor Symptoms
Prolactin promotes the growth of mammary alveoli, which are the components of the mammary gland, where the actual production of milk occurs.
Untreated, a prolactinoma can cause: Reduced hormone production if the tumor presses on the pituitary gland, which may lead to symptoms such as weight loss or fatigue. Osteoporosis (brittle, fragile bones) Pregnancy complications.
Overall, the results suggest that prolactin is associated with specific psychological symptoms including somatization, anxiety, hostility, paranoid ideation and psychoticism, especially in females, rather than a general indication of depressive symptom severity, and may represent a transdiagnostic hormonal phenotype.
Overproduction of prolactin and the development of galactorrhea may also be induced by medications, including phenothiazines, certain medications given for high blood pressure (especially methyldopa and verapamil), opioids, and birth control pills, and by certain disorders outside the pituitary.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the most sensitive imaging method for identifying pituitary tumors (5). However, the degree of elevation of serum PRL level that warrants an MRI study is controversial. Some investigators suggest evaluation by MRI only if the PRL level is >100 ng/mL (6).
Signs and symptoms of prolactinoma
This week Great British Bake Off star Sue Perkins revealed she's living with a non-cancerous tumour in her pituitary gland that means she can't have children. The 45 year-old presenter was diagnosed with prolactinoma eight years ago and says living with the condition can be a challenge.
Unsurprisingly, vitamin D levels might impact hypophyseal production or activity of hormones such as growth hormone, gonadotropins (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone), prolactin, corticotropin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
A review of 94 cases of aggressive and/or malignant prolactinomas treated with TMZ found that 38% of patients experienced progressive disease despite treatment and 40% died, with survival ranging from 2 to 20 years.
Prolactin levels seem to be highest between 2-6am. Using a dummy or pacifier to settle your baby can hide some of their early feeding cues, interfering with responsive breastfeeding.
Vitamin B6 can naturally lower prolactin levels as it is involved in dopamine production. Therefore, incorporating foods rich in Vitamin B6, such as fish, chicken, bananas, and avocados, is recommended.
Your doctor may also recommend seeing an endocrinologist (a doctor who cares for diseases of the endocrine system, like problems with the thyroid). If you have questions about the prolactin test or what the results mean, talk with your doctor.
Prolactinomas are often highly treatable. Healthcare providers usually prescribe medication to treat them. In rare cases, your provider may recommend surgery or radiation therapy.