The pituitary gland is located in the protective bone structure called the "Turkish saddle", located just behind the nasal root, and maintains its functions in connection with another brain structure, the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus controls the level of prolactin (prl) and various other hormones to be produced from the pituitary gland and released into the bloodstream. Prolactin hormone (prl hormone) is produced by lactotroph cells located in the anterior part of the pituitary gland. Due to the cells from which it originates, this hormone is also called lactotropic hormone (LTH hormone, milk hormone).
What is Prolactin?
During pregnancy, there is an increase in the level of cells that synthesize prolactin hormone, and after this increase, the mammary glands in the breast tissue of the expectant mother begin to develop and produce their secretions. Elevated prolactin hormone levels at times other than its physiological effects on breast tissue may result in the development of some health problems and complaints. For example, high prolactin levels in women may present with complaints such as amenorrhea (lack of menstruation), while in men, it may cause symptoms such as headache or loss of libido (sexual reluctance).
As an answer to the question of what is prolactin hormone, the answer can be given, "It is a very important hormone for milk production, breast tissue development and many other body functions, consisting of polypeptide building blocks". The increase in the level of prolactin hormone (high milk hormone) stimulates the cells in the breast tissue and stimulates the synthesis of lactose (milk sugar), casein (milk protein) and various fatty substances. High levels of progesterone hormone during pregnancy suppress the effects of this hormone.
Decrease in progesterone level with the birth makes prolactin become more prominent. Even after birth, prolactin levels are not consistently high. This hormone, which instantly peaks with the stimulation of the nipple, remains at a high level as long as the baby continues to suckle. The prolactin reference range is a parameter that varies according to gender. How much prolactin should be While the response is less than 25 ng/ml in women, the normal value of prolactin is expressed as less than 17ng/ml in men. The prolactin test is a very simple test and allows measuring the amount of hormone in the bloodstream.
Be careful because some birth control drugs, drugs used in the treatment of hypertension and antidepressants may affect the result of the prolactin test. Sleeping problems, high stress level, or having done strenuous exercise before the examination are among the other factors that may affect the test result. High levels of the hormone prolactin, called hyperprolactinemia, may indicate an underlying health problem.
Detection of prolactin level between 30 ng/ml and 200 ng/ml is called prolactin elevation. There can be many different causes behind such elevated hormone levels. Nutritional discomfort, defined as anorexia nervosa, is one of the answers to the question of what causes high milk hormone. Apart from this, an increase in prolactin level may occur in conditions such as liver diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome, kidney problems and hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, which refers to the inability of the thyroid gland to perform its functions, is a problem that can cause enlargement of the pituitary gland, but it can be easily controlled with thyroid hormone supplements.
In pituitary tumors, which is another condition that affects the production of prolactin hormone and causes high prolactin levels, surgical interventions can be applied in addition to drug treatment. These tumors, called prolactinomas, are non-cancerous tumors of prolactin-producing cells in the pituitary gland. When physicians suspect prolactinoma as the cause of high prolactin level, they may refer to radiological examinations such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As a result of these imaging methods, the tumor in the pituitary gland and how large it is can be detected. While prolactinomas in women are usually small tumors, these tumoral formations, which cause high prolactin levels in men, tend to be larger. Large tumors put pressure on surrounding nerves. They may cause complaints such as vision problems or headaches. For this reason, products containing these plants are included in the "must not be eaten with high prolactin level" and it is recommended not to be consumed by those with high prolactin hormone unless otherwise stated by physicians in the diet of high prolactin. Foods that reduce prolactin, which is an answer to the question of how prolactin patients should be fed, are foods containing vitamin B6 or E in general.
What Causes Prolactin High?
Symptoms of high prolactin hormone may show itself differently in men and women. In general, an increase in prolactin level, which affects milk production and menstrual cycle, is a problem that should not be overlooked in the presence of sexual dysfunction, which is called erectile dysfunction in men.
Many signs and symptoms may occur with high prolactin in women:
- Infertility
- menstrual irregularity
- Change in the intensity of menstrual bleeding
- Delayed menstruation
- Sexual reluctance
- Milk coming from the breast called galactorrhea
- Pain in the breasts
- Vaginal dryness
- Feminine breast growth defined as gynecomastia
- Milk from the breast
- Infertility (infertility)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of sexual desire
- Headaches
- Visual problems
How to Lower Prolactin?
Treatment of hyperprolactinemia (prolactin excess) may also depend on the underlying cause of this condition� It shows resilience. In some cases, the underlying cause is detected as a tumor and surgical intervention is performed, while in some cases, this problem can be controlled only with medical treatment. limits can be achieved. In thyroid gland problems, after the administration of hormones produced by this gland, a decrease in prolactin level can be achieved. After the use of these drugs, in addition to a decrease in the level of prolactin hormone, reduction in tumor size and improvement in sexual functions can be achieved. Treatment with dopamine agonists continues regularly for approximately 2 years. At the end of this period, if the prolactin levels of the person are within normal limits and no tumor can be detected in magnetic resonance imaging, the treatment can be terminated.
Although most cases of prolactinoma can be controlled with medical treatment, radiation therapy or surgical interventions may be used in some cases. These treatment methods come to the fore especially in patients who are resistant to medical treatment. Surgical interventions to the pituitary tumor are generally performed endoscopically through the nose. If the tumor cannot be completely removed for various reasons, post-operative radiotherapy (radiation therapy) can be applied.
Low prolactin hormone is a condition that is generally accepted as normal. If the level of prolactin, a hormone produced in the pituitary gland, is above normal limits, it is called hyperprolactinemia. It should not be forgotten that high prolactin is a health problem that can be controlled with various treatment methods. Treatment of high prolactin level may vary depending on the underlying cause of this condition and the person's high prolactin level. If you detect lactation (milking out), erectile dysfunction, loss of libido or similar complaints that indicate high prolactin in your body, apply to health institutions. It is recommended that you seek support from specialist physicians.
You can ask the expert team of Group Florence Nightingale Hospitals about the prolactin hormone and ask for suggestions regarding your question. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.
Read: 25
