Patient's question:
Female, 27 years old, Prolactin 625.6 Reference value: On the third day of the menstrual cycle, I had a sex hormone test. All other results were normal, except for elevated prolactin. The doctor said to recheck next month, and if it doesn't improve, medication may be needed. However, my menstrual periods have always been normal, with normal flow, color, and duration. But I am a bit worried. The doctor's advice sounds quite serious. Could this affect my ability to get pregnant?Doctor's answer:
High prolactin levels can affect female fertility. Prolactin, also known as luteinizing hormone, is one of the hormones secreted by the pituitary gland. Approximately one-fourth of cases are caused by pituitary tumors, while others can be due to hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, hypothyroidism, kidney dysfunction, malignant tumors in other parts of the body, chest wall injury, and drug effects. When prolactin levels are excessively high in the body, it can inhibit the secretion of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland and directly affect the synthesis of sex hormones in the ovaries, leading to low serum estrogen levels. This can disrupt ovarian function, reduce ovulation, or cause anovulatory galactorrhea, and in severe cases, amenorrhea, resulting in infertility. Integrating Chinese and Western medicine can effectively lower prolactin levels and regulate the overall endocrine system, allowing for normal fertility in the future. Wishing you good health.