IDIOPATHIC HYPERPROLACTINEMIA - WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT IT

Idiopathic hyperprolactinemia is defined as the presence of elevated s erum prolactin levels in patients who have no evidence of pituitary or central nervous system diseases and in whom no other recognized cause s of increased prolactin secretion are present. It is probably heterog enous in etiology. Some cases are due to macroprolactinemia; others ar e related to dopamine resistance. Antibody to human prolactin with mac roprolactinemia has been identified in some patients. Idiopathic hyper prolactinemia usually runs a benign self-limiting course. Progression to prolactinomas is very rare. Treatment is individualized. Symptomati c idiopathic hyerprolactinemia or that associated with hypogonadism sh ould be treated medically with bromocriptine.