What causes high prolactin levels

High levels of prolactin may be caused by physiological factors, drug effects, pituitary tumors, hypothyroidism, chronic renal insufficiency, and other reasons.

1. Physiological factors:

During pregnancy and lactation, women's prolactin levels naturally increase, which is a normal physiological phenomenon. Intense exercise, emotional tension, lack of sleep, chest stimulation, etc. may also lead to temporary elevation of prolactin. This type of situation usually does not require special treatment, and hormone levels can gradually return to normal after eliminating the triggering factors.

2. Drug effects:

Some drugs may interfere with dopamine secretion, leading to an increase in prolactin levels. Common medications include antidepressants, antipsychotics, gastric motility drugs, antihypertensive drugs, etc. If drug-induced hyperprolactinemia is found, it is recommended to adjust the medication plan under the guidance of a doctor.

3. Pituitary tumors:

Pituitary prolactinoma is the most common cause of pathological hyperprolactinemia. Tumor compression weakens the inhibitory effect of dopamine, leading to excessive secretion of prolactin. Patients may experience symptoms such as amenorrhea, galactorrhea, headache, and visual impairment. Diagnosis requires a combination of pituitary MRI and hormone level testing.

4. Hypothyroidism:

Insufficient thyroid hormones can feedback stimulate the hypothalamus to secrete thyrotropin releasing hormone, which also has the effect of promoting prolactin secretion. These patients often have hypothyroidism symptoms such as fatigue, fear of cold, and weight gain, and require a clear diagnosis through thyroid function examination.

5. Chronic renal insufficiency:

The kidneys are the main metabolic organs for prolactin, and decreased kidney function can lead to reduced hormone clearance. The patient's blood creatinine and urea nitrogen levels are usually abnormally elevated, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as anemia and edema. Improving kidney function can help reduce prolactin levels. For patients with elevated prolactin levels, it is recommended to maintain a regular daily routine and avoid staying up late and excessive fatigue; Reduce the intake of high-fat and high sugar foods, and appropriately increase foods rich in vitamin B6 such as bananas, nuts, etc; Wear loose underwear to avoid chest compression; Regularly review hormone levels. If there are obvious symptoms such as headache, changes in vision, menstrual disorders, or sustained high hormone levels, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly to investigate pituitary lesions. Low intensity aerobic exercise, such as walking, yoga, etc., is recommended for exercise to avoid stimulating hormone secretion during intense exercise. psychological regulation is also important and can be relieved through meditation, breathing exercises, and other methods.