Paradoxical prolactin response to growth hormone-releasing hormone in a patient with hyperprolactinemia and empty sella

Abstract

In a 30-year-old woman with amenorrhea due to hyperprolactinemia, serum PRL increased to twice the basal amount in response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Roentogenological studies revealed no pituitary adenoma but empty sella. Bromocriptine therapy normalized serum PRL and made the paradoxical response to GHRH disappear. The paradoxical response did not occur in any of eight other patients with hyperprolactinemia due to prolactinoma. Although this case is rare, GHRH stimulates PRL as well as GH release remarkably in some cases with hyperprolactinemia without a GH-producing tumor.