Macroprolactin and macroprolactinaemia: A narrative review
1 Department of Chemical Pathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Chemical Pathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
3 Department of Chemical Pathology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka Campus, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Review Article
Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 08(01), 187–194
Article DOI: 10.30574/msarr.2023.8.1.0065
Publication history:
Received on 25 March 2023; revised on 10 June 2023; accepted on 13 June 2023
Abstract:
Background: Macroprolactin is a heteropolymeric complex of monomeric prolactin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) with little or no biological activity in vivo. Macroprolactinaemia is a notable cause of misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment of patients with biochemical hyperprolactinaemia. Hence, it needs to be excluded in all patients with laboratory-established increase in serum prolactin levels. The polyethylene-glycol (PEG) precipitation method is commonly used for the routine laboratory screening for macroprolactinaemia.
Objective: To review the concept of macroprolactinaemia and its impact on the clinical manifestations, biochemical features, laboratory and radiological evaluations, and management of patients with hyperprolactinaemia.
Method: Review of available literature and selected references on macroprolactinaemia and its contribution to the aetiology of biochemical hyperprolactinaemia.
Conclusion: Macroprolactinaemia is diagnostically and clinically important in reproductive endocrinology practice. Routine laboratory screening of macroprolactinaemia using the PEG-precipitation method is highly recommended for all cases of hyperprolactinaemia.
Keywords:
Hyperprolactinaemia; Macroprolactin; Macroprolactinaemia; PEG-precipitation method
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Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0