Use of acupuncture to reduce prolactin levels in antipsychotically induced hyperprolactinemia: a case report
Qi Wang1, Zhihui Hou1, Yuqi Jia2
1The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Introduction:
Hyperprolactinemia, an endocrine disorder, has witnessed a notable increase in incidence in recent years, exerting a substantial influence on patients' physiological states and quality of life. Hyperprolactinemia has been detected in 65% of women of childbearing age and 40.70% of men using antipsychotic medications. The extent to which antipsychotic drugs cause elevated serum prolactin levels primarily depends on their affinity for D2 receptors and their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. The stronger their binding to D2 receptors and the poorer their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, the greater the elevation in serum prolactin levels. Consequently, the management of hyperprolactinemia plays a pivotal role in enhancing treatment adherence, quality of life, and long-term health outcomes among patients with schizophrenia. Although some studies have confirmed the efficacy of acupuncture in treating hyperprolactinemia induced by antipsychotic drugs, more specific studies are needed.
Case:
A 30-year-old woman with hyperprolactinemia presents with scanty and prolonged menstrual cycles, urinary leakage, behavioral abnormalities, and difficulty concentrating. She had a history of undifferentiated schizophrenia. Acupuncture was used for 3 weeks, with three treatments per week, each time leaving the needles in place for 30 min.
Results:
After 3 weeks of acupuncture treatment, this patient had increased menstrual flow, normalization of leucorrhea, a marked improvement in mental status, a decrease in abnormal behavior, and a decrease in body weight from 82 kg to 72 kg, and no further urinary leakage. After 44 days, the prolactin level decreased from the initial 192.42 ng/mL to 146.53 ng/mL, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score decreased from an initial score of 91 to 52, the menstrual cycle and vaginal discharge are normal, and body weight decreased to 62 kg.
Conclusion:
This case study suggests that acupuncture may improve the mental well-being of individuals with psychiatric conditions and concurrent hyperprolactinemia, reduce prolactin levels, improve menstrual flow and cycle, and decrease urinary incontinence. Therefore, acupuncture may have potential benefits in the treatment of antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia.
