Hyperprolactinaemia means having high levels of prolactin in the blood. Prolactin is a hormone that is involved in several functions in the body, including developing breast tissue and producing breast milk. It is made in the pituitary gland, which sits at the base of the brain.
Less than 1% of people have hyperprolactinaemia.1 It can affect both women and men, but most cases are in women.
Hyperprolactinaemia can cause varying symptoms. Some people may get very mild or no symptoms.
See your doctor if you experience:
Periods stopping or becoming irregular
Milky discharge from your breasts when you’re not breastfeeding or pregnant
Difficulty getting pregnant
Decreased libido (lower sex drive)
Hyperprolactinaemia can be caused by a few different factors, including the below:
- Prolactinoma (a benign – not cancerous – tumour in the pituitary gland)
- Other types of tumour in the pituitary gland
- Some medications
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding or nipple stimulation
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Kidney or liver failure
- Physical or psychological stress
- Marijuana use
- Other health conditions
What is a prolactinoma?
A prolactinoma is a type of tumour in the pituitary gland, and the most common cause of hyperprolactinaemia. It’s important to note prolactinomas are usually benign (not cancerous). They cause the pituitary gland to produce too much prolactin, and can cause symptoms like headaches, losing part of your field of vision, nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick).
To understand if you could have hyperprolactinaemia, your doctor may investigate the following:
 | Your medical history |
Your doctor may ask you questions about your symptoms. This could include questions about:
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 | Blood tests |
If you have symptoms or signs of hyperprolactinaemia, your doctor may order a blood test. A clinician will take a small amount of blood and send it to a laboratory for testing. The test will measure levels of prolactin and other hormones in your blood. |
 | Further tests |
If a blood test confirms you have hyperprolactinaemia, your doctor will organise more tests to find out the cause. This can include:
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The way hyperprolactinaemia is managed depends on your symptoms and test results. Sometimes treatment isn’t needed, while some people may need medication and/or surgery. The treatment plan will depend on the cause of your hyperprolactinaemia.
Sometimes hyperprolactinaemia is caused by medications. If this is the case for you, your doctor may discuss with you if you can stop taking the medication, or prescribe an alternative one.
If you have hyperprolactinemia due to hypothyroidism, your doctor will give you treatment to manage the hypothyroidism. They will check your prolactin levels are returning to normal.
If a prolactinoma is causing your hyperprolactinaemia, your doctor may recommend medication to lower the prolactin levels in your blood. They may also discuss surgery to remove the prolactinoma, if the medication doesn’t work.
Below are some ideas for questions you might want to ask your doctor:
 | What tests do I need? |
| How long will it take to have the tests and to get the results? |
| What are the options for treatment? |
| How might the treatment help me? |
| How long should it take before I notice a difference? |
| What are the most common side effects associated with this treatment? |
| What are my other options? |
What tests do I need?How long will it take to have the tests and to get the results?What are the options for treatment?How might the treatment help me?How long should it take before I notice a difference?What are the most common side effects associated with this treatment?What are my other options?Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any these symptoms