Is hyperprolactinemia hereditary?

The cause of hyperprolactinemia is still a mystery, but some experts point out that hyperprolactinemia can be passed on to the next generation. A new study shows that women with a significant family history are still at a higher risk of developing hyperprolactinemia than ordinary women, even if genetic tests show that the gene related to hyperprolactinemia is negative.

This discovery may help doctors screen out high-risk women earlier and take preventive measures for them earlier.

It has long been known that having several relatives or friends with hyperprolactinemia is an important consideration in evaluating whether a woman will develop hyperprolactinemia.

"We generally believe that there are two types of women who are at the highest risk: those with a family history of hyperprolactinemia and those who are BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene positive," the expert said. "But for those women with a positive family history and negative BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, how likely are they to develop hyperprolactinemia? No one can answer this. The scientific community generally believes that these two gene mutations can explain most of the reasons."

This study found that genes other than BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, hormones and other factors, such as the environment, may be risk factors for hyperprolactinemia, even if the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are negative.

Since family history is so important, we must make an accurate prediction of their actual risk, which is so high that we must make certain interventions, such as regular MRIs and preventive chemotherapy with tamoxifen or raloxifene. Our goal is to actually prevent the occurrence of tumors, or at least diagnose them as early as possible.

Only women with hyperprolactinemia are positive for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, so it is difficult to predict the risk of hyperprolactinemia in women who are negative for these genes.

For women whose genetic tests are negative, it is important to know that they are still at risk. These women should start getting imaging tests at age 30 and tell their doctors about their family history. The American Cancer Society said that many clinical trials have shown that tamoxifen and raloxifene can reduce the risk of high-risk women.