What causes high prolactin levels?

Hyperprolactinemia may be caused by mental stress, pregnancy and lactation, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, or renal insufficiency. Management can vary depending on the specific situation. If physical discomfort occurs, it is recommended to visit a hospital promptly for medical evaluation and follow the doctor's instructions for appropriate management.

1. Mental stress: Long-term mental stress can affect the neuroendocrine system, causing hypothalamic dysfunction, which in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete more prolactin. It is recommended to learn to adjust one's mindset and relieve stress through activities such as listening to music, yoga, or meditation, maintaining a cheerful mood. Prolactin levels may decrease after a period of time.

2. Pregnancy and lactation: During pregnancy, a woman's body secretes large amounts of prolactin in preparation for postpartum lactation, which is a normal physiological phenomenon. Continuous stimulation of the nipples during lactation also maintains prolactin secretion at a high level. No specific treatment is required during this period; prolactin levels will gradually return to normal after pregnancy ends and lactation ceases.

3. Hypothyroidism: This condition may be caused by autoimmune disorders, surgery, or other factors, leading to reduced secretion of thyroid hormones, which in turn causes compensatory increased prolactin secretion by the pituitary gland. Patients may experience symptoms such as fatigue, cold intolerance, hypersomnolence, and menstrual irregularities. Patients can take medications such as levothyroxine sodium tablets, thyroid extract tablets, and vitamin B12 tablets under medical guidance to improve hyperprolactinemia.

4. Polycystic ovary syndrome: The exact cause is not yet fully understood but may be related to genetic and environmental factors. Patients often have endocrine disorders that lead to elevated prolactin levels, accompanied by symptoms such as hirsutism, obesity, menstrual irregularities, and infertility. Under medical guidance, patients may take medications such as progesterone capsules, dydrogesterone tablets, and spironolactone tablets to alleviate related symptoms.

5. Renal insufficiency: The kidneys are important organs for removing excess substances from the body. When kidney function is impaired, metabolic waste products and medications may not be effectively excreted, and some of these substances or medications may indirectly affect prolactin secretion. It is recommended to use medications such as furosemide tablets, furosemide injection, and hydrochlorothiazide tablets under medical guidance to alleviate symptoms.

In daily life, it is important to develop good living habits, ensure adequate sleep, avoid staying up late, and maintain a pleasant mood, avoiding negative emotions such as anxiety and irritability, which is beneficial to overall health.

References:

[1] Liu Shuoxin, Zhao Min, Wang Wei. Research progress on the correlation between serum prolactin and its receptors and glucose and lipid metabolism. Current Advances in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2024, 33(11): 873-876.

[2] Pan Xuejing. Diagnostic value of single and combined detection of serum CTRP9, Asprosin, and PTX3 levels in polycystic ovary syndrome. Medical Journal of Chinese People's Health, 2025, 37(02): 119-121.