High prolactin

Prolactin is a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland and has a direct effect on the reproductive function of the female body, promotes the growth of mammary glands in girls, is responsible for breastfeeding after the birth of the child.

What does high prolactin mean?

In healthy nonpregnant and non-pregnant women, the level of prolactin should be in the range of 15-20 nanograms per one milliliter of blood. However, the value can significantly exceed normal performance after having sex, intense physical exertion, after smoking, sleeping, stimulating the nipples. In such cases, a high concentration of prolactin does not indicate pathological processes, and, as a rule, does not require treatment.

Also, a high level of prolactin is observed in women after ovulation, during pregnancy and lactation. In addition, the cause of an elevated level of this hormone may be the intake of certain medications, for example, oral contraceptives, antidepressants, antiemetics, tablets that lower blood pressure, and others.

To make sure that the high concentration of prolactin is not a consequence of pathology, a woman needs to pass the analysis again. Since a high level of prolactin can also indicate numerous deviations in the female body, especially if its value is significantly higher than normal. So, very high prolactin is observed when:

  1. Prolactinome. A disease in which a benign pituitary tumor is diagnosed. In this case, the value of prolactin is in the range of 200ng / ml, there are also accompanying symptoms, such as menstrual irregularities or complete absence of menstrual cycles, obesity, increased intracranial pressure, headaches, vision impairment, etc.
  2. Functional deficiency of the thyroid gland is hypothyroidism. Disease in which the thyroid gland produces less hormones. For its confirmation, it is necessary to pass tests for the hormones TTG, T4, T3. Signs of high prolactin due to hypothyroidism can be permanent drowsiness, emotional imbalance, dry skin, hair loss, loss of appetite, etc.
  3. Anorexia. Mental illness, which manifests itself in the form of refusal from food, severe exhaustion, fear of gaining excess weight.
  4. The consequence of high prolactin and other hormonal disorders can also cause polycystic ovary syndrome.
  5. Renal insufficiency.
  6. Cirrhosis of the liver.
  7. Postoperative rehabilitation.

What is dangerous and what is the effect of high prolactin?

From the above, it follows that high prolactin is not only hair loss and obesity. This is a serious hormonal

a violation that can lead to infertility, mastopathy, osteoporosis and other no less serious diseases.

To suspect high level of prolactin and to address to the endocrinologist it is necessary, if the following symptoms are found out:

For more accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to pass an analysis to the level of prolactin and other hormones, to make an MRI of the brain and to conduct additional examinations.

To determine the concentration of prolactin, blood from the vein, in the morning on an empty stomach, is taken no earlier than three hours after awakening, preferably before taking the material, do not smoke and not be nervous, and also exclude sex and exercise.