A STUDY OF SERUM PROLACTIN LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM

*Fozia Jamal, G.P. Singh and Sushil Yadav

ABSTRACT

Background: Prolactin is a peptide hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis. The secretion of prolactin is controlled by the hypothalamus. There are some others factors such as vasoactive inhibitory peptide (VIP) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) which enhance the prolactin secretion. Hyperprolactinemia is a clinical condition characterized by the hyper secretion of prolactin in both male and female that can result from a number of causes including hypothyroidism. The aim of this study were to estimate the serum prolactin level in patients with hypothyroidism and to find out the correlation between serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin level. Material and methods: A total number of 60 samples were taken; among these 30 were hypothyroid patients and 30 controls. The study group and control group were well matched in regard to age and sex. Fasting venous blood samples has been taken from each individual and analyzed for TSH, T3, T4 and prolactin by ELFA (enzyme linked fluorescent assay) technique using VIDAS analyzer. Obtained data was analyzed by using SPSS. Results: Differences between mean serum prolactin levels among hypothyroid patients and controls were statistically significant (p= 0.005). No correlation was found between serum prolactin and TSH levels (r= -0.194, p= 0.303). Conclusion: Serum prolactin level was found to be increased in hypothyroid patients as compared to that of controls. If thyroid function tests are normal in patients with raised prolactin level, further test should be done to find out the etiology of hyperprolactinemia.

Keywords: Hyperprolactinemia, Hypothyroidism, Prolactin.