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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