[Macroprolactinemia, a variety of hyperprolactinemia. Apropos of 5 cases]

Rev Med Interne. 1997;18(4):320-3. doi: 10.1016/s0248-8663(97)84018-0.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Macroprolactinemia, due to increased circulating levels of large molecular weight forms of prolactin, results in elevated level of immuno-reactive prolactin. The big variants have only weak biological activity; thus macroprolactinemia appears as a case of hyperprolactinemia without clinical significance as demonstrated by the five patients described. The diagnosis is based upon chromatography which separates the hormone and its variants. This disorder produces a pitfall in the diagnostic evaluation of hyperprolactinemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Chromatography
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperprolactinemia / blood
  • Hyperprolactinemia / classification*
  • Hyperprolactinemia / diagnosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Weight
  • Prolactin / chemistry*

Substances

  • Prolactin