Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of hyperprolactinaemia, document the underlying causes and consequences of hyperprolactinaemia, and to investigate the correlation between hyperprolactinaemia and hypothyroidism in a group of patients referred for hormonal profile assessment from local hospitals and clinics. Methods: This study includes 1365 subjects (46 males, 1319 females) referred to the Centre for Nuclear Medicine in Lahore, for hormonal estimation to investigate the possibility of an underlying hormonal disorder based on clinical grounds. Serum Prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone levels were measured using IRMA kits. Results: In our study population, the incidence of hyperprolactinaemia was estimated at 4.90 percent. Menstrual irregularity appeared to be the major consequence in females.In male subjects, the major complaints observed were infertility and azoospermia. The incidence rate was the highest in the age range of 22-27 years. Hypothyroidism in hyperprolactinaemic subjects was observed to be 22.7%. Conclusion: The incidence of hypothyroidism in hyperprolactinaemic subjects in our study population was found to be signficantly high. Based on the results of our study, we would recommend thyroid hormone estimation in all patients with abnromal serum prolactin.