Long-standing primary failure of pituitary-dependent endocrine glands
may lead to hyperplasia of the pituitary cells. These changes in the p
ituitary gland may be correlated with the severity and duration of tar
get-endocrine gland insufficiency. Production of adrenocorticotrophic
hormone by the pituitary tumour and modest hyperprolactinaemia may dev
elop due to adrenocortical insufficiency, but production of prolactin
by the pituitary tumour due to primary adrenal insufficiency is rare.
A case study is presented, with primary adrenal insufficiency associat
ed with hyperprolactinaemia and pituitary macroadenoma (most probably
prolactinoma). Plasma levels of prolactin were found to decrease after
glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid and bromocriptine therapy.