What is hyperprolactinemia?

  Hyperprolactinemia: Abnormal elevation of prolactin (PRL) greater than 25ug/L, leading to menstrual disorders or infertility, etc.  Etiology: 1. PRL-secreting pituitary tumors. 2. Empty saddle syndrome, craniopharyngioma, glioma, meningitis, trauma, radiation therapy, etc. 3. Primary hypothyroidism, PCOS. 4. Chest trauma, surgery, burns, zoster. 5. Adrenal adenoma, ectopic carcinoma. 6. Idiopathic hyper-PRLemia, usually 60-100ug/L, no clear cause. 7. Drug effects: dopamine receptor blockers, catecholamine depleting agents, opiates and antigastric drugs and contraceptives, etc.  Main manifestations: breast overflow, amenorrhea or menstrual disorders, infertility or miscarriage, headache, blurred vision and visual disturbances, changes in sexual function: decreased libido.  Main tests: blood PRL measurement, CT or MRI to exclude pituitary adenoma, fundus examination, etc. Treatment: Idiopathic PRL elevation, slight elevation, regular menstruation, ovarian function not affected, no breast overflow, can be observed, regular follow-up, usually no treatment is needed.  Medication: Bromocriptine at individualized doses (generally 2,5-5mg daily). Generally without pituitary tumors, the medication is discontinued after one year of use and observed before treatment. With microadenoma long-term medication until the adenoma shrinks, degenerates and stops growing.  Noguinine: less side effects than bromocriptine, currently not widely used in China.  Vitamin B6:60-100mg, 2-3 times daily.  Surgery: Consider transsphenoidal sinus surgery when drug therapy is ineffective or when neurological compression symptoms are present.  Radiotherapy: when medication is ineffective or not tolerated, unwilling to operate or when there are contraindications. Including Gamma Knife, etc. It is generally not used alone and has high side effects.