Neurogenic Hyperprolactinemia

Abstract

Neurogenic hyperprolactinemia is a rather rare clinical form of hyperprolactinemia, therefore, this pathology may escape the attention of clinicians. At the same time, a high level of prolactin in blood can result in severe metabolic disorders, infertility, decreased bone tissue density, obesity, increased insulin resistance, and poor lipid metabolism. If the disease is not diagnosed in time, it will lead not only to the significantly decreased health and life quality level, but can also contribute to the increased risk of breast cancer formation. The main reason for the development of neurogenic hyperprolactinemia can be various pathological processes in chest, spinal cord and mammary glands. The neurogenic mechanism is triggered by the activation of afferent impulses going to the posterior sections of the spinal cord. The main diagnostic tactics is the exclusion of the most common causes of hyperprolactinemia, identification of the pathological process in the thoracic region, and detection of high prolactin level in the blood serum. Taking the pathogenetic mechanism into account, the treatment of neurogenic hyperprolactinemia consists in eliminating the pathological focus and prescribing dopamine agonists. The purpose of this article is to define the main clinical features associated with the diagnosis and treatment of neurogenic hyperprolactinemia.