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Hyperprolactinaemia does not always mean 'hyperprolactinaemia'!
Altay Gezer1, Turgay Atasü, Can Hekim
1Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. agezer@superonline.com
European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology
|January 18, 2005
Summary
Macroprolactinemia, a condition with high prolactin levels, is common in asymptomatic hyperprolactinemia cases. The polyethylene glycol precipitation test effectively detects this disorder, distinguishing it from prolactinoma.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Hyperprolactinemia is often diagnosed based on elevated serum prolactin (PRL) levels.
- However, elevated PRL levels do not always indicate a prolactinoma or pituitary adenoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of macroprolactinemia in patients with asymptomatic hyperprolactinemia.
- To determine the utility of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation test in diagnosing macroprolactinemia.
Main Methods:
- Serum prolactin fractions were analyzed in 21 female patients presenting with hyperprolactinemia but no clinical symptoms.
- The polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation procedure was employed to differentiate macroprolactin from monomeric PRL.
Main Results:
- Macroprolactinemia was identified in 14 out of 21 (66.7%) patients with asymptomatic hyperprolactinemia.
- A high fraction of macroprolactin was the cause of hyperprolactinemia in these cases.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic hyperprolactinemia is frequently associated with macroprolactinemia.
- The PEG precipitation test is a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying macroprolactinemia in patients with elevated serum prolactin levels without clinical symptoms.