Types of Hyperprolactinemia

Prolactin is a polypeptide hormone, also called prolactin, which is one of the hormones secreted by the pituitary gland. Women secrete prolactin vigorously in the late pregnancy and lactation period to promote breast development and lactation. The highest level of prolactin in the serum of non-pregnant women generally does not exceed 20 ng/ml. Exceeding this value is considered hyperprolactinemia. What are the types of hyperprolactinemia?

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 very 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.

The above is an introduction to the types of hyperprolactinemia. I hope it will be helpful to you.