[Usefulness of determining serum levels of prolactin in women with menstruation disorders].

In 173 women with oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, serum level of prolactin (PRL) was determined by radioimmunoassay method. In 22 cases (12.7%) the concentration of PRL was above 15 ng/ml. From the above women in 9 cases (5.2%) of all examined patients pituitary microadenoma was diagnosed. In 1 patient with pituitary microadenoma, coexisting partially empty sella was diagnosed. The mean basal PRL concentration in women with menstruation disturbances without hyperprolactinemia (group I) was found to be 7.1 +/- 3.1 ng/ml while the women with hyperprolactinemia without pituitary microadenoma (group II) was 32.9 +/- 5.8 ng/ml. In women with diagnosed pituitary microadenoma (group III) PRL concentration was 131.8 +/- 47.7 ng/ml. The group II and III demonstrated statistically significant increase of serum prolactin level in comparison to group I. Moreover in comparison with group I, statistically significant reduction of serum level of FSH, LH and estradiol 17 beta was confirmed in group with pituitary microadenoma. In group II significant decrease of serum concentration of LH and estradiol 17 beta was stated as well as lack of significant difference in serum level of FSH, in comparison to group I.