high prolactin levels

I have just recently seen an endocrinologist,completely thinking I had to be hypothyroid.I found out that I have high levels of prolactin. I now have a MRI scheduled to rule out a pituitary tumor,or inflammation of the pituitary gland.I am very scared.I also have systemic Lupus.Is this a common thing that can happen with Lupus?    

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. The causes of hyperprolactinemia are disinhibition due to pituitary stalk compression or reduced dopamine levels or due to excess production from a prolactinoma. Certain drugs like minoxidil, physiological causes like pregnancy, breastfeeding, mental stress and hypothyroidism. Drugs, which block the effects of dopamine at the pituitary or deplete dopamine stores in the brain may cause pituitary to secrete prolactin.  These drugs are major tranquilizers phenothiazines, haloperidol, antipsychotics like metoclopramide, domperidone etc, prolactinomas or other pituitary tumors like acromegaly and Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian disease and in seizures. There have been studies conducted showing moderate hyperprolactinemia is present in a subset of patients with SLE and it is related to increased disease activity and major organ involvement. Hope this helps. Take care.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. The causes of hyperprolactinemia are disinhibition due to pituitary stalk compression or reduced dopamine levels or due to excess production from a prolactinoma. Certain drugs like minoxidil, physiological causes like pregnancy, breastfeeding, mental stress and hypothyroidism. Drugs, which block the effects of dopamine at the pituitary or deplete dopamine stores in the brain may cause pituitary to secrete prolactin.  These drugs are major tranquilizers phenothiazines, haloperidol, antipsychotics like metoclopramide, domperidone etc, prolactinomas or other pituitary tumors like acromegaly and Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian disease and in seizures. There have been studies conducted showing moderate hyperprolactinemia is present in a subset of patients with SLE and it is related to increased disease activity and major organ involvement. Hope this helps. Take care.

[becky905]

Thank you Dr.Sharma.If I end up having A pituitary tumor.Will I be able to take the medication required?I do have SLE and know I can not take hormones,because of a possible flare.I am also taking Methotrexate.