Medical-surgical Nursing Demystified

(Sean Pound) #1

CHAPTER 8 Endocrine System^343



  • Educate the patient:

    • Don’t stop taking hormone replacement suddenly.




Hyperprolactinemia


WHAT WENT WRONG


There is an overproduction of the prolactin hormone that promotes lactation.
Excessive secretion is usually caused by a pituitary tumor (prolactioma) but may
also be due to hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and medications that affect
the pituitary gland.


PROGNOSIS


Prognosis is very good once a diagnosis is made and treatment of the underlying
cause is started.


HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS



  • The primary symptom is decreased fertility.

  • In females, symptoms may include decreased or absent menstruation, head-
    ache, mood changes and galactorrhea, from hormone imbalance.

  • Males may experience erectile dysfunction, diminished libido, gynecomastia,
    headache and mood changes from too much hormone.


INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS



  • Increased serum TSH as hypothyroidism can be a contributing factor to hyper-
    prolactimenia.

  • Increased creatinine/BUN as renal failure can be a contributing factor.

  • Serum human chorionic gonadotropin test for pregnancy (beta hGC) as preg-
    nancy can cause hyperprolactinemia.

  • Serum AST, ALT, and bilirubin will be increased as cirrhosis has been known
    to cause hyperprolactinemia.


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