Patient's question:
Hello, what are the reasons for high prolactin levels in doctors? Why do I have high prolactin levels? Does high prolactin affect pregnancy?Doctor's answer:
Hyperprolactinemia 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, which can cause ovarian dysfunction, reduced ovulation, anovulatory galactorrhea, and even amenorrhea, resulting in infertility. So, what causes high prolactin levels? Specifically, the phenomenon of high prolactin levels is generally caused by the following several reasons:1. Medications: Medications that act on the central nervous system, such as tranquilizers like chlorpromazine and morphine, can reduce the levels of catecholamines in the hypothalamus, thereby decreasing the activity of prolactin-releasing factor (PRF) produced by the hypothalamus. Antihypertensive drugs like methyldopa and hydralazine can inhibit the release of prolactin-inhibiting factor (PIF), while metoclopramide can stimulate excessive secretion of prolactin by the pituitary gland.
2. Hypothalamic Disorders: Diseases of the hypothalamus and adjacent areas, such as encephalitis, craniopharyngioma, pinealoma, partial hypothalamic infarction, pseudotumor, and pituitary stalk transection, can all lead to a decrease in the production of PIF by the hypothalamus or an increase in the production of PRF and thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRF). The former allows prolactin to be produced blindly due to the loss of inhibition, while the latter directly promotes the production of prolactin.
3. Neural Stimulation: Stimulation of certain areas, especially the skin on the chest, including severe pain caused by peripheral nerve damage, can lead to increased prolactin levels through neural transmission to the hypothalamus. Examples include chest surgery, burns, and herpes zoster on the chest and back.
4. Primary Hypothyroidism: When thyroid function is impaired, insufficient thyroid hormone secretion sends feedback signals to the hypothalamus, causing the hypothalamus to produce large amounts of TRF. This factor, while stimulating the pituitary gland to secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), also stimulates excessive secretion of prolactin by the pituitary gland, leading to galactorrhea.