What causes hyperprolactinemia?
What causes hyperprolactinemia?
Most often, hyperprolactinemia is caused by pregnancy — which is normal. According to a 2013 study , pituitary tumors may be the cause of almost 50 percent of hyperprolactinemia. A prolactinoma is a tumor that forms in the pituitary gland. These tumors are typically noncancerous.
How do you treat a Microadenoma?
In most cases, a microadenoma can be cured with endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. In this procedure, a neurosurgeon reaches the tumor through the nasal passages and sphenoid sinus. Gamma Knife radiosurgery, which uses targeted beams of radiation to destroy the tumor, is another option.
What does elevated prolactin mean?
If prolactin levels are higher than normal, it often means there is a type of tumor of the pituitary gland, known as a prolactinoma. This tumor makes the gland produce too much prolactin. Excess prolactin can cause the production of breast milk in men and in women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
What is the cause of high prolactin in a woman?
Its hormones help regulate important functions such as growth, metabolism, blood pressure and reproduction. Other possible causes of prolactin overproduction include medications, other types of pituitary tumors, an underactive thyroid gland, ongoing irritation to the chest, pregnancy and breast-feeding.
How does the body get rid of prolactin?
Dopamine agonists such as bromocriptine (Parlodel and Cycloset) are the most common treatment for high levels of prolactin. These medications help the brain produce dopamine to control high prolactin levels. They can also shrink prolactinoma tumors. Your doctor may recommend that you take cabergoline.
Do Microadenomas need to be removed?
Surgical Care For prolactin-secreting microadenomas, surgical removal is followed by recurrence in 10-50% of patients. Therefore, medical therapy is preferred. Secretory tumors are best removed by the transsphenoidal approach.
Where is Microadenoma located?
A microadenoma is a very small, noncancerous tumor that typically develops in the pituitary gland – a pea-sized organ behind the eyes that regulates growth, development, metabolism and reproduction.
Does prolactin make you sleepy?
Prolactin levels are naturally higher during sleep, and animals injected with the chemical become tired immediately. This suggests a strong link between prolactin and sleep, so it’s likely that the hormone’s release during orgasm causes men to feel sleepy.
