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DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1811538
Hypoprolactinemia Following Traumatic Brain Injury and Pituitary Surgery: Mechanisms, Prevalence, and Clinical Implications
Abstract
Posttraumatic hypoprolactinemia is an often overlooked complication following traumatic brain injury (TBI) or pituitary surgery, characterized by abnormally low prolactin levels. Produced by the anterior pituitary gland, prolactin is essential for lactation, reproduction, and immune function. Damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary-axis can lead to hypoprolactinemia, causing symptoms such as lactation failure, reproductive dysfunction, mood disturbances, and immune impairment. The prevalence of hypoprolactinemia after TBI varies from 1 to 85%, while it is lower in postpituitary surgery. There is a lack of standardized diagnostic criteria and effective management strategies. This review covers the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic challenges, while discussing therapeutic approaches like prolactin replacement therapy. Emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary care, the review also highlights the importance of research to establish diagnostic criteria and improve detection and treatment, as early intervention is crucial for better patient outcomes.
Keywords
hypoprolactinemia - traumatic brain injury - pituitary surgery - posttraumatic endocrine dysfunction - pituitary hormone deficiencyPublication History
Article published online:
22 August 2025
© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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