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Three cases of macroprolactinaemia.
A O Olukoga1, T L Dornan, J W Kane
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK. AOlukoga@hotmail.com
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
|January 1, 2000
Summary
Macroprolactinaemia, a condition with high prolactin levels, can persist despite treatment for pituitary adenomas. Early testing is recommended for women with hyperprolactinaemia, especially those with normal cycles.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Hyperprolactinaemia, often caused by pituitary adenomas, can lead to symptoms like hirsutism.
- Treatment resistance and surgical outcomes for prolactinomas can be variable.
Observation:
- A case study details a woman with persistent hyperprolactinaemia and hirsutism, initially treated for a pituitary microadenoma.
- Despite bromocriptine therapy and pituitary surgery, hyperprolactinaemia persisted for 15 years.
Findings:
- Macroprolactinaemia was diagnosed in a patient with persistent hyperprolactinaemia, explaining treatment resistance.
- This condition may contribute to the failure rate of pituitary surgery for prolactinomas.
- Two additional cases linked macroprolactinaemia to menstrual irregularities and hormonal imbalances.
Implications:
- Testing for macroprolactinaemia is advisable in women with hyperprolactinaemia, particularly those with regular ovulatory cycles.
- Dopamine agonist therapy effectively managed macroprolactinaemia and restored normal menstrual cycles in affected individuals.