1
|
Vilar L, Vilar CF, Lyra R, Freitas MDC. Pitfalls in the Diagnostic Evaluation of Hyperprolactinemia. Neuroendocrinology 2019; 109:7-19. [PMID: 30889571 DOI: 10.1159/000499694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
An appropriate diagnostic evaluation is essential for the most appropriate treatment to be performed. Currently, macroprolactinemia is the third most frequent cause of nonphysiological hyperprolactinemia after drugs and prolactinomas. Up to 40% of macroprolactinemic patients may present with hypogonadism symptoms, infertility, and/or galactorrhea. Thus, the screening for macroprolactin is indicated not only for asymptomatic subjects but also for those without an obvious cause for their prolactin (PRL) elevation. Before submitting patients to macroprolactin screening and pituitary magnetic resonance imaging, one should rule out pregnancy, drug-induced hyperprolactinemia, primary hypothyroidism, and renal failure. The magnitude of PRL elevation can be useful in determining the etiology of hyperprolactinemia. PRL values >250 ng/mL are highly suggestive of prolactinomas and virtually exclude nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) and other sellar masses as the etiology of hyperprolactinemia. However, they can also be found in subjects with macroprolactinemia, drug-induced hyper-prolactinemia or chronic renal failure. By contrast, most patients with NFPAs, drug-induced hyperprolactinemia, macroprolactinemia, or systemic diseases present with PRL levels <100 ng/mL. However, exceptions to these rules are not rare. Indeed, up to 25% of patients harboring a microprolactinoma or a cystic macroprolactinoma may also have PRL <100 ng/mL. Falsely low PRL levels may result from the so-called "hook effect," which should be considered in all cases of large (≥3 cm) pituitary adenomas associated with normal or mildly elevated PRL levels (≤250 ng/mL). The hook effect may be unmasked by repeating PRL measurement after a 1:100 serum sample dilution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucio Vilar
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil,
- Pernambuco Endocrine Research Center, Recife, Brazil,
| | | | - Ruy Lyra
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vilar L, Abucham J, Albuquerque JL, Araujo LA, Azevedo MF, Boguszewski CL, Casulari LA, Cunha Neto MBC, Czepielewski MA, Duarte FHG, Faria MDS, Gadelha MR, Garmes HM, Glezer A, Gurgel MH, Jallad RS, Martins M, Miranda PAC, Montenegro RM, Musolino NRC, Naves LA, Ribeiro-Oliveira Júnior A, Silva CMS, Viecceli C, Bronstein MD. Controversial issues in the management of hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas - An overview by the Neuroendocrinology Department of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. ARCHIVES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM 2018; 62:236-263. [PMID: 29768629 PMCID: PMC10118988 DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Prolactinomas are the most common pituitary adenomas (approximately 40% of cases), and they represent an important cause of hypogonadism and infertility in both sexes. The magnitude of prolactin (PRL) elevation can be useful in determining the etiology of hyperprolactinemia. Indeed, PRL levels > 250 ng/mL are highly suggestive of the presence of a prolactinoma. In contrast, most patients with stalk dysfunction, drug-induced hyperprolactinemia or systemic diseases present with PRL levels < 100 ng/mL. However, exceptions to these rules are not rare. On the other hand, among patients with macroprolactinomas (MACs), artificially low PRL levels may result from the so-called "hook effect". Patients harboring cystic MACs may also present with a mild PRL elevation. The screening for macroprolactin is mostly indicated for asymptomatic patients and those with apparent idiopathic hyperprolactinemia. Dopamine agonists (DAs) are the treatment of choice for prolactinomas, particularly cabergoline, which is more effective and better tolerated than bromocriptine. After 2 years of successful treatment, DA withdrawal should be considered in all cases of microprolactinomas and in selected cases of MACs. In this publication, the goal of the Neuroendocrinology Department of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM) is to provide a review of the diagnosis and treatment of hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas, emphasizing controversial issues regarding these topics. This review is based on data published in the literature and the authors' experience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucio Vilar
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Julio Abucham
- Unidade de Neuroendócrino, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp/EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - José Luciano Albuquerque
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Luiz Antônio Araujo
- Centro de Endocrinologia e Diabetes de Joinville (Endoville), Joinville, SC, Brasil
| | - Monalisa F Azevedo
- Serviço de Endocrinologia do Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Cesar Luiz Boguszewski
- Serviço de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná (SEMPR), Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Luiz Augusto Casulari
- Serviço de Endocrinologia do Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Malebranche B C Cunha Neto
- Divisão de Neurocirurgia Funcional, Instituto de Psiquiatria do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (IPq-HC-FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Mauro A Czepielewski
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, PPG Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Felipe H G Duarte
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Manuel Dos S Faria
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital Universitário Presidente Dutra, Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís, MA, Brasil
| | - Monica R Gadelha
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (HUCFF-UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.,Unidade de Neuroendocrinologia, Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Heraldo M Garmes
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (FCM/Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Andrea Glezer
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Maria Helane Gurgel
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFCE), Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - Raquel S Jallad
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Manoel Martins
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFCE), Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - Paulo A C Miranda
- Serviço de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Renan M Montenegro
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFCE), Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - Nina R C Musolino
- Divisão de Neurocirurgia Funcional, Instituto de Psiquiatria do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (IPq-HC-FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Luciana A Naves
- Serviço de Endocrinologia do Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | | | - Cíntia M S Silva
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (HUCFF-UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Camila Viecceli
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, PPG Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Marcello D Bronstein
- Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Krysiak R, Drosdzol-Cop A, Skrzypulec-Plinta V, Okopien B. Sexual function and depressive symptoms in young women with elevated macroprolactin content: a pilot study. Endocrine 2016; 53:291-8. [PMID: 26902871 PMCID: PMC4901097 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-016-0898-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Elevated prolactin levels seem to be associated with impaired sexuality. The clinical significance of macroprolactinemia, associated with the predominance of high molecular mass circulating forms of prolactin, is still poorly understood. This study was aimed at investigating sexual function in young women with macroprolactinemia. The study enrolled 14 young women with macroprolactinemia, 14 with increased monomeric prolactin levels, as well as 14 age- and weight-matched healthy women. All patients completed a questionnaire evaluating female sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index-FSFI), as well as a questionnaire assessing the presence and severity of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition-BDI-II). Apart from total prolactin levels and macroprolactin content, circulating levels of thyrotropin, total testosterone, and 17-β estradiol were also measured. Patients with elevated monomeric prolactin levels had a lower total FSFI score, as well as lower scores for all domains: sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and dyspareunia. These scores correlated with total and monomeric prolactin levels. In turn, women with macroprolactinemia were characterized by a lower score for sexual desire, and only this score correlated with total prolactin levels and macroprolactin content. The total score in the BDI-II questionnaire was higher in patients with hyper- and macroprolactinemia than in the control subjects. Contrary to multidimensional impairment of sexual function in women with elevated monomeric prolactin, macroprolactinemia only seems to disturb sexual desire.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Krysiak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Drosdzol-Cop
- Chair of Woman's Health, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 12, 40-752, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Violetta Skrzypulec-Plinta
- Chair of Woman's Health, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 12, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Bogusław Okopien
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Glezer A, Bronstein MD. [Prolactinoma]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 58:118-23. [PMID: 24830588 DOI: 10.1590/0004-2730000002961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Prolactinomas are the most common pituitary adenomas that affect young women at fertile age. Hyperprolactinemia causes hypogonadism, menstrual irregularities or amenorrhea in women, low serum testosterone levels in men, and infertility and sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Macroprolactinomas may cause cephalea, visual disturbance, and hypopituitarism. Clinical treatment with dopamine agonists is the gold standard, with cabergoline as the first choice due to its greater efficiency and tolerability. In about 20% of the cases, treatment is partially or completely ineffective, a situation in which surgery, in general by transsphenoidal route, is indicated. Radiotherapy is indicated only in the control of tumor growth in invasive/aggressive cases. In invasive macroprolactinoma, the necessary approach, in general, is the combination of several therapeutic modalities, including debulking and recently-approved drugs, such as temozolamide. As for pregnancy, the drug of choice to induce ovulation still is bromocriptine. In the cases of microprolactinomas and intrasselar macroprolactinomas, the treatment with dopaminergic agonists may be suspended after pregnancy is confirmed. In macroprolactinomas, management should be individualized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Glezer
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Celular e Molecular, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcello D Bronstein
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Celular e Molecular, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vilar L, Fleseriu M, Bronstein MD. Challenges and pitfalls in the diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 58:9-22. [PMID: 24728159 DOI: 10.1590/0004-2730000003002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The definition of the etiology of hyperprolactinemia often represents a great challenge and an accurate diagnosis is paramount before treatment. Although prolactin levels > 200-250 ng/mL are highly suggestive of prolactinomas, they can occasionally be found in other conditions. Moreover, as much as 25% of patients with microprolactinomas may present prolactin levels < 100 ng/mL, which are found in most patients with pseudoprolactinomas, drug-induced hyperprolactinemia, or systemic diseases. On the other hand, some conditions may lead to falsely low PRL levels, particularly the so-called hook effect, that is an assay artifact caused by an extremely high level of PRL, and can be confirmed by repeating assay after a 1:100 serum sample dilution. The hook effect must be considered in all patients with large pituitary adenomas and PRL levels within the normal range or only modestly elevated (e.g., < 200 ng/mL). An overlooked hook effect may lead to incorrect diagnosis and unnecessary surgical intervention in patients with prolactinomas. Another important challenge is macroprolactinemia, a common finding that needs to be identified, as it usually requires no treatment. Although most macroprolactinemic patients are asymptomatic, many of them may present galactorrhea or menstrual disorders, as well as neuroradiological abnormalities, due to the concomitance of other diseases. Finally, physicians should be aware that pituitary incidentalomas are found in at least 10% of adult population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucio Vilar
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Maria Fleseriu
- Departments of Medicine and Neurological Surgery, Northwest Pituitary Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Marcello D Bronstein
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Thirunavakkarasu K, Dutta P, Sridhar S, Dhaliwal L, Prashad GRV, Gainder S, Sachdeva N, Bhansali A. Macroprolactinemia in hyperprolactinemic infertile women. Endocrine 2013; 44:750-5. [PMID: 23543432 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-013-9925-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Hyperprolactinemia occurs in 15-20 % of women with menstrual disturbances and 30-40 % of infertile women and it can adversely affect the fertility. High molecular weight prolactin (macroprolactin) has long been known in hyperprolactinemic fertile women. However, the prevalence of macroprolactinemia in hyperprolactinemic infertile women is not known. This cross-sectional study was carried out during the period of June 2010 and June 2011 at a single tertiary care centre. All women who attended the infertility clinic during this period were screened for hyperprolactinemia and only women with hyperprolactinemia and infertility were further studied for the presence of macroprolactin by polyethylene glycol precipitation assay. We compared the clinical, hormonal profile and fertility outcome of infertile women with true hyperprolactinemia and macroprolacinemia using appropriate statistical tests. Of 1,163 infertile women, 183 (15.7 %) had hyperprolactinemia [134 (73 %) had primary infertility and 49 (27 %) had secondary infertility]. Out of these 183 women with hyperprolactinemia, one had microadenoma, 161 had true idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and 21 (11.5 %) women had macroprolactinemia. The prevalence of oligomenorrhea and galactorrhea were significantly higher in patients with true hyperprolactinemia than macroprolactinemia (46 vs. 14 %, p < 0.008 and 30 vs. 5 %, p = 0.01 respectively). Twenty-two patients (13.5 %) of true hyperprolactinemia and two (9 %) in macroprolactinemia became pregnant during the study period. Prolactin measurement should be a part of routine evaluation of couples referred to infertility clinics. Macroprolactin screening is mandatory when clinical features and serum PRL assay results are conflicting. Patients with macroprolactinemia should be investigated for causes of infertility other than hyperprolactinemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krithika Thirunavakkarasu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|