Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2007 , Vol 17 , Num 1
Prolactin Levels Discordant With Clinical Symptoms and Macroprolactin
Nihal YÜCEL1, Nezaket EREN2, Erdine SERİN3
1,2Şişli Etfal Hastanesi, Biyokimya, İstanbul
3İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi, Biyokimya, Bolu
Although it is known for a long time, macroprolactin is still a trouble for endocrinologists and laboratory staff, in terms of diagnosis and follow-up of patients and it causes conflicts between investigators. Due to its big molecular structure, macroprolactin causes a hyperprolactinemia without clinical symptoms. Besides, this complex molecular structure results in different prolactin values with different routine prolactin measurement methods which further magnifies the confusion. Since macroprolactin is defined, many authors have been interested in this subject, have compared various measurement methods, have investigated its relations with clinical signs and have reached to different conclusions. While some investigators suggest to use the macroprolactin sensitive methods, some others think that because its is not clinically important and to prevent confusions, methods that do not measure macroprolactin should be preferred. In this sense, laboratories should know their methods' interaction with macroprolactin and to inform the clinicians, and clinicians should be aware of the method used in the laboratory. Macroprolactin is one of the subjects that necessites a real cooperation between clinicians and laboratories in terms of the benefit of patient. Anahtar Kelimeler : Prolactin, Macroprolactin, Poliethylene glycol