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Thyroid Science 6(10)CR1-4, 2011

Primary Hypothyroidism Associated with
Hyperprolactinemia and Pituitary Macroadenoma
(Full Text Free)

Dragana Jokic, MD and Xiangbing Wang, MD, PhD

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism,
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
University of Medicine and Dentistry
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Corresponding Author: Xiangbing Wang, MD, PhD FACE
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-UMDNJ
MEB 384B, 1 RWJ Place, P.O. Box 19. New Brunswick, NJ 08903
Phone (732) 235-7751 Fax (732) 235-7069 E-mail: wangx9@umdnj.edu

Abstract. Objective: Our purpose is report a case of primary hypothyroidism associated with hyperprolactinemia and pituitary macroadenoma. Background: We present the case report, including detailed laboratory and radiological findings in 28 year old woman. In primary hypothyroidism there is hyperplasia of both thyrotrophs and lactotrophs as a response to TRH hypersecretion. The hyperplasia can result in significant enlargement of the pituitary gland and can be mistaken for a prolactin-secreting tumor. Case: We report the case of a female patient who presented with amenorrhea of 7-months duration and was found by her gynecologist to have elevated prolactin. The initial MRI showed a 1.7 cm pituitary mass which was treated initially by cabergoline. Due to the patients noncompliance and lack of follow up, the patient remained on cabergoline for 6 months and did not do thyroid function tests. Finally, after 6 months, a follow up MRI showed no change in size of her pituitary mass. Also, blood tests showed profound hypothyroidism, and after 6 month of thyroid replacement therapy, the patient was euthyroid. A repeated MRI of the brain showed complete resolution of the pituitary mass. Result: This case emphasizes the importance of evaluation of thyroid function in cases of elevated prolactin and gonadal dysfunction. Despite a lack of the typical clinical presentation of hypothyroidism, resolution of the patient’s symptoms and disappearance of her pituitary macroadenoma confirms the diagnosis. Conclusion: This case illustrates that primary hypothyroidism can present with amenorrhea and pituitary mass.

Keywords ● Amenorrhea ● Hyperprolactinemia ● Hypothyroidism ● Pituitary     macroadenoma ● Prolactin

Citation: Jokic, D. and Wang,X.: Primary hypothyroidism associated with
hyperprolactinemia and pituitary macroadenoma. Thyroid Science, 6(10):CR1-4, 2011.

(Full Text Free)

© 2011 Thyroid Science