Open AccessPersistent idiopathic prolactin elevation merits macroprolactin estimation: A case report and review of literature
Author(s) -
K.K. Gautam,
Kripa Elizabeth Cherian,
Arun Jose,
TK Aleyamma,
Nitin Kapoor,
Thomas Paul
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of human reproductive sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.484
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 0974-1208
pISSN - 1998-4766
DOI - 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_168_20
Subject(s) - prolactin , prolactinoma , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , infertility , population , pediatrics , endocrinology , biology , pregnancy , radiology , hormone , genetics , environmental health
The prevalence of hyperprolactinemia ranges from about 0.4% in an unselected adult population to as high as 9%-17% in women with reproductive disorders. It may cause infertility in about 11% of the oligospermic males. Rarely, the cause of persistently elevated prolactin remains obscure even after thorough work up. Macroprolactinemia is biologically inactive, high-molecular-weight form of prolactin resulting from its binding to immunoglobulin G, causing a decrease in its clearance. We report the case of a 35-year-old female, detected to have hyperprolactinemia on multiple tests, during routine work up for primary infertility. Secondary causes for the same were ruled out. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain excluded a prolactinoma. This prompted an estimation of prolactin levels after polyethylene glycol precipitation which showed a decrease to 5.58 ng/mL, with <40% recovery, confirming the presence of macroprolactin. Thus, persistently elevated prolactin levels in the background of negative neurological imaging necessitate the estimation of macroprolactin.