Classification and nomenclature of hyperprolactinemia

What are the classifications and names of hyperprolactinemia? According to hospital experts, hyperprolactinemia is a very common hypothalamus-pituitary-testicular gland function disease. The following is a detailed introduction by experts on this issue, hoping to help you better understand the health knowledge in this area.

According to experts, prolactin is secreted by eosinophils in the anterior pituitary gland, and its secretion is regulated by two hormones secreted by the hypothalamus.

One is prolactin inhibitor, which can inhibit the excessive secretion of prolactin; the other is prolactin releasing hormone, which can stimulate pituitary eosinophils to secrete prolactin. Under normal conditions, prolactin inhibitor controls the secretion of prolactin. When the prolactin level is higher than 0.84nmol/L for three consecutive times, hyperprolactinemia occurs.

Types of Hyperprolactinemia

(1) Latent hyperprolactinemia (OHP) is also called latent hyperprolactinemia.

(2) Idiopathic hyperprolactinemia: rare, mostly related to psychological trauma and stress factors, and some are extremely small adenomas.

(3) Postpartum hyperprolactinemia: It accounts for 30% of hyperprolactinemia and occurs within 3 years after pregnancy, delivery, miscarriage, or induced labor. Plasma prolactin is slightly elevated, and patients have oligomenorrhea, menstrual disorders, and galactorrhea. The prognosis is good with treatment.

(4) Iatrogenic hyperprolactinemia is caused by iatrogenic factors or drugs, mostly due to other diseases (such as hypothyroidism), and can recover naturally after the cause is eliminated.

(5) Tumor-type hyperprolactinemia: accounts for 71.61% of hyperprolactinemia, of which prolactin adenomas account for 46%, microadenomas account for 66%, macroadenomas account for 34%, and a few are prolactin-growth hormone adenomas and chromosomal cell tumors. Most pituitary adenomas have PRL ≥ 200ng/ml, and some pituitary adenomas can regress naturally.