Relevance and therapeutic implication of macroprolactinemia detection using PEG 6000 in women of childbearing age with hyperprolactinemia: experience at a tertiary hospital

Introduction: Macroprolactin may interfere with hormonal assay and falsely increase serum prolactin levels. Therefore, failure to identify macroprolactinemia can lead inappropriate investigations treatment in women already susceptible anxiety stress. The aim of this study was among childbearing age hyperprolactinemia.Materials methods: A cross-sectional conducted a tertiary care setting at the endocrine unit. Study participants were recruited from both gynaecological outpatient consultation services. They (18 49 years) consulting for signs symptoms gonadal dysfunction or hyperprolactinemia (PRL > 25 ng/ml). Total measured using Human direct ELISA method. Polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) precipitation used detect macroprolactin.Results: total 33 mean 31 ± 7 years (range 21–48) enrolled. Twenty-seven (81.8%) symptomatic, majority (23/27) (69.7%) reported having galactorrhoea, 21 (63.4%) an irregular menstrual cycle. median pre-precipitation prolactinemia reduced significantly after PEG 61.2 (IQR 33.2–115.9) ng/ml 33.8 17.9–70.5) ng/ml, p < 0.001. After precipitation, five had recovery rate below 60% and, therefore, prevalence 15.2%. Four out (80%) presented amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, galactorrhoea.Conclusion: permitted detection who otherwise would have been subjected unnecessary medical treatment.