High prolactin symptoms include breast enlargement, irregular periods, irritability, and a low sex drive.
Prolactin is a hormone thepituitary glandproduces that stimulateslactation(breast milk production).
It is also involved in the development ofmammary glands, regulating themenstrual cyclein females, andproducing spermin males.
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This article discusses high prolactin levels.
It explains high prolactin symptoms and causes in females and males.
It also goes over the diagnostic process for hyperprolactinemia and treatment options.
Hyperprolactinemia has a cause-and-effect relationship with these and other hormones.
These changes can significantly alter moods in people with hyperprolactinemia.
The severity of symptoms tends to increase with the level and duration of prolactin increases.
Mood symptoms related to hyperprolactinemia include:
What Causes High Prolactin Levels?
This may be due to diseases or disorders that directly or indirectly affect the function of the HPA axis.
The most common cause of hyperprolactinemia is a punch in of pituitary adenoma (tumor) known as aprolactinoma.
Other causes of hyperprolactinemia include:
Can High Prolactin Be Serious?
Hyperprolactinemia is not life-threatening, though it may indicate a serious underlying health condition.
The outlook for high prolactin levels is generally good and treatment is usually effective.
The values are described in nanograms per milliliter of blood (ng/mL).
High Prolactin Treatment
High prolactin levels without symptoms (asymptomatic) may not require treatment.
The goal of hyperprolactinemia treatment is to restore normal prolactin levels and relieve symptoms.
This can often be done by treating the underlying cause.
Certain medications can also cause higher prolactin levels.
Hyperprolactinemia is diagnosed with a blood test.
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