Evaluation of Serum Prolactin Levels in Female Patients of Primary Hypothyroidism in Tertiary Health Care Center

Abstract

Introduction: Prolactin is an anterior pituitary hormone that plays a vital role in ovulation, reproductive functions and lactation. Excess prolaction can manifest as galactorrhoea, menstrual disturbances, gonadal dysfunction, and infertility. Hyperprolactinemia is one of the common endocrine disorder of hypothalamic pituitary axis resulting from various causes including hypothyroidism. The loss of thyroxine feedback inhibition in primary hypothyroidism causes overproduction of TRH (thyrotropin releasing hormone) .which has a stimulatory effect on lactotroph cells of pituitary result in raised prolactin and TSH thyroid stimulating hormone. Aims and Objective: The aim and objective of this study is to evaluate hyperprolactinemia in female hypothyroid patient of tertiary health care centre. Material and Method: It is an observational institutional study done in Gandhi Hospital, Biochemistry Dept from March 2019 to May 2019 during which prolactin levels are measured with patient concern in newly diagnosed 50 primary hypothyroid patient and 50 normal euthyroid individuals by using chemiluminescence immunoassay method. Serum T3,T4,TSH and prolactin were assessed in age group 15-35yrs. Inclusion criteria: Females age 15-35yrs,nonpregnant, nonlactating , with symptoms of hyperprolactinemia like galactorrhea, menstrual irregularities, infertility. Exclusion criteria: Pregnancy, lactation, pituitary adenoma, medications, h/o thyroid surgery or radiation therapy and other systemic disorders. Results: 100 samples were collected with mean age group of 25+3 in females, 50 are hypothyroid and 50 are euthyroid. When compared with control out of 50 hypothyroid patients 7(14%) patients are having raised prolactin levels (>25ng/ml). In this study significance association of hyperprolactinemia is seen in subclinical hypothyroid patients with P value <0.05. Discussion &Conclusion: This study shows that prevalence of hyperprolactinemia is more common in subclinical hypothyroid female patients specially in age group 25 -35 yrs. Therefore hyperprolactinemia should be screened for hypothyroidism and vice versa.