Anti-Thyroid Antibodies in Patients with Hyperprolactinemia.

Abstract

Abstract. To clarify the possible role of prolactin in the regulation of immune responses in man, we measured circulating anti-thyroid antibodies in 172 normal subjects, 84 patients with prolactinoma and 63 patients with acromegaly with normal thyroid and adrenocortical functions. Frequencies of positive thyroidal microsome and thyroglobulin antibodies were significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) higher in women with prolactinoma (20.6% and 20.6%) than in normal women (7.5% and 4.7%). Men with prolactinoma had a significantly (p<0.05) higher frequency of positive thyroglobulin antibody (18.8%) than normal men (1.5%). When the subjects were divided by decade, women with prolactinoma in the 4th decade had significantly (p<0.05) higher frequencies of positive thyroidal microsome and thyroglobulin antibodies (30.8% and 30.8%) than normal women of corresponding age (3.7% and 3.7%). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the frequencies of positive anti-thyroid antibodies in patients with acromegaly and in normal subjects. Analysis of the peripheral lymphocyte population revealed that patients with prolactinoma had a higher percentage of B cells than normal subjects, while there was no significant difference in the percentages of total T lymphocytes or in the helper and suppressor T cell ratios in the two groups of subjects. These results suggest that prolactin regulates humoral immune responses in man directly by stimulating B lymphocytes or indirectly by inhibiting suppressor T lymphocyte activity.

Hyperprolactinaemia associated with increased thyroid volume and autoimmune thyroiditis in patients with prolactinoma

“…studied antithyroid antibodies in patients with prolactinoma and acromegaly and demonstrated higher titres of antibodies in the prolactinoma patients. Additionally, they found higher PRL levels in antibody‐positive patients than in antibody‐negative patients . Pelkenon et al .…”

Immune function in hypopituitarism: time to reconsider?

“…A high prevalence of autoantibodies associated with connective tissue disease 53 or autoimmune thyroid disease 54 is evident in patients with primary hyperprolactinaemia, who remain asymptomatic for these conditions. However, few data are available on how patients with hyperprolactinaemia handle infection.…”

Are there any causes for increased thyroid volume in women with prolactinoma?

“…Moreover, our study demonstrated that serum TSH and PRL levels were negatively correlated with the presence of nodule formation in women with prolactinoma for the first time. Previously, evidences have also shown that PRL stimulates immune responsiveness [17][18][19]. Similarly, the studies found that the prevalence of thyroid autoantibody positivity was significantly higher in patients with prolactinoma than in the controls [17][18][19][20].…”

“…Previously, evidences have also shown that PRL stimulates immune responsiveness [17][18][19]. Similarly, the studies found that the prevalence of thyroid autoantibody positivity was significantly higher in patients with prolactinoma than in the controls [17][18][19][20]. But more recent evidences revealed that PRL may not be impacted for immune systems [21][22][23].…”