Hyperprolactinaemia--investigation and results of treatment.

HUMAN prolactin was isolated in 1971 (Lewis, Singh and Seavey) and this was soon followed by the development of a homologous radioimmunoassay for its measurement in plasma (Friesen, Hwang, Guyda, et al 1973). Many studies have been carried out on patients with pathological conditions where basal plasma prolactin levels are elevated (Edwards, Forsyth and Besser, 1971; Turkington, 1972; Franks, Murray, Jequier, et al, 1975; Ramirez, O'Neill, Bloomer and Jubiz, 1977). The most important clinical application of these studies has been the measurement of plasma prolactin in patients with secondary amenorrhoea. With the advent of prolactin-lowering drugs such as bromocriptine and the development of the transsphenoidal approach to hypophysectomy, it has been possible to treat these patients successfully (Lutterbeck, Pryor, Varga and Wenner, 1971; Hardy, 1971). This paper describes the results of investigation and management of 53 patients with hyperprolactinaemia seen in the Gynaecology/Endocrine Clinic of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.