Interpretation of serum gonadotropin levels in hyperprolactinemia
File(s)180310 Abbara Prolactin manusript final.doc (286 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background/Aims: Hyperprolactinemia is a common cause of amenorrhea due to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Prolactin is hypothesized to impede the reproductive axis through an inhibitory action at the hypothalamus. However, limited data exists to aid the interpretation of serum gonadotropins in the context of hyperprolactinemia. Methods: Serum gonadotropin values were reviewed in 243 patients with elevated serum monomeric prolactin due to discrete etiologies at a tertiary reproductive endocrine centre between 2012 and 2015. The cause of hyperprolactinemia was categorized by an experienced endocrinologist / pituitary multidisciplinary team, unless superseded by histology. The most frequently encountered diagnoses were Microprolactinoma (n=88), Macroprolactinoma (n=46), Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenoma (NFPA) (n=72), Drug-Induced Hyperprolactinemia (DIH) (n=22) and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) (n=15). Results: In patients with prolactinoma and modestly raised serum prolactin levels (<4000 mU/L), increasingly FSH-predominant gonadotropin values were observed with rising prolactin level, consistent with a progressive reduction in hypothalamic GnRH pulsatility. Patients with prolactinoma and higher prolactin values (>4000 mU/L) were more likely to have a reduction in serum levels of both FSH and LH, consistent with direct pituitary gonadotrope dysfunction. Patients with macroadenoma and extremes of serum gonadotropin values (either serum FSH or LH >8 IU/L) were more likely to have NFPA than prolactinoma. Patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and hyperprolactinemia had LH-predominant secretion in keeping with increased GnRH pulsatility despite a raised prolactin level. Conclusion: The pattern of gonadotropin secretion in patients may reflect the etiology of hyperprolactinemia.
Date Issued
2018-09-01
Date Acceptance
2018-04-16
Citation
Neuroendocrinology, 2018, 107, pp.105-113
ISSN
0028-3835
Publisher
Karger Publishers
Start Page
105
End Page
113
Journal / Book Title
Neuroendocrinology
Volume
107
Copyright Statement
©2018 S. Karger AG, Basel
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Neurosciences
Neurosciences & Neurology
Prolactin
Gonadotropin
LH
FSH
Prolactinoma
LUTEINIZING-HORMONE SECRETION
POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME
BROMOCRIPTINE TREATMENT
PITUITARY-ADENOMAS
PROLACTIN LEVELS
AMENORRHEA
GNRH
WOMEN
RAT
FREQUENCY
1103 Clinical Sciences
1109 Neurosciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-04-16