[Macroprolactinaemia]

Abstract

Hyperprolactinaemia is one of the most common endocrinological disorders affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The increase of prolactin level in the blood interrupts the pulsatile GnRH secretion and in turn causes hypoestrogenism. Hyperprolactinaemia can occur in physiological and pathological conditions. Prolactin has 3 different isoforms: little prolactin, big prolactin and big-big prolactin. Macroprolactin is a complex of little prolactin and an immunoglobulin G antibody and the weight of the complex is more than 150 kDa. In physiological condition macroprolactin comprises up to 1% of all circulating prolactin in the serum blood. In pathological condition percentage of macroprolactin can increase in the serum blood. The prevalence of macroprolactinaemia is found in around 10-26% of all patients with hyperprolactinaemia. Women with high serum prolactin concentration in should be screened for macroprolactinaemia. Confirmation the presence of macroprolactinaemia doesn't require any pharmacological treatment or other medical procedures.