Causes of high serum prolactin in men

Prolactin, also known as prolactin, is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. If the prolactin content in the human blood is too high, it is called hyperprolactinemia. Among patients with hyperprolactinemia, about 1/4 are caused by pituitary tumors, and some may be caused by hypothalamus, pituitary dysfunction, hypothyroidism, renal insufficiency, malignant tumors in other parts, chest wall damage and drug effects. The following will introduce the reasons for high serum prolactin in men.

1. Primary hypothyroidism: When the thyroid gland is hypofunctioning, the secretion of TRH and TSH increases, causing the level of prolactin in the blood to rise, resulting in hyperprolactinemia.

2. Chronic renal failure: Serum prolactin is excreted through the kidneys. When the kidneys function poorly, serum prolactin rises.

3. The most common is pituitary prolactinoma: Among patients visiting the gynecological endocrinology clinic, about 1/3 of those suffering from hyperprolactinemia and amenorrhea suffer from pituitary tumors.

4. Adrenal insufficiency: Glucocorticoids can inhibit the transcription and release of prolactin genes. There are case reports of patients with renal insufficiency who developed hyperprolactinemia. After receiving glucocorticoid replacement therapy, blood prolactin returned to normal.

5. Empty sella syndrome: Due to congenital abnormalities or due to trauma or surgery, the sella turcica septum is defective, the arachnoid membrane forms a herniation, enters the sella turcica, and compresses the pituitary gland and pituitary stalk. Since the transport of dopamine is affected, hyperprolactinemia is caused.

6. Hypothalamic pituitary stalk disease: The mechanism by which hypothalamic disease causes elevated serum prolactin is believed to be due to a disorder in the production or transport of PIF. For example, if a pituitary tumor compresses the pituitary stalk, this can also affect the transport of PIF.

7. Idiopathic hyperprolactinemia: The cause has not been found, and no pituitary tumor has been found. This is a functional abnormal increase in prolactin, which is called idiopathic hyperprolactinemia. Some patients may have pituitary microadenomas that are too small and have not yet been discovered.

Experts remind pregnant women that high prolactin levels can lead to infertility. Therefore, if women have related symptoms, they must seek timely treatment to avoid delaying conception. In daily life, they should also pay attention to their diet and hygiene, exercise more, and keep a happy and comfortable mood.