Peer Reviewed
Investigations in endocrinology
Investigation of hyperprolactinaemia
Recent articles on:
Hormones
Hormones
Recent articles on:
Endocrine diseases
Endocrine diseases
Abstract
Investigation of high prolactin levels in a man with muscle weakness and decreased libido, a woman with schizophrenia, and a young woman with oligomenorrhoea and acne is described in this article.
Key Points
The primary action of prolactin is to assist in the development and maturation of the breast and stimulate lactation. Prolactin is secreted by lactrotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland and is mainly under inhibitory control by dopamine, which is produced by the hypothalamus. Thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH), oestrogen and vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulate secretion of prolactin.
Purchase the PDF version of this article
Already a subscriber? Login here.