Prolactin: What Happens When It's Low?
La prolactin is a hormone secreted bypituitary gland anterior which, during puberty, contributes, together with estrogen, to the development of the mammary gland. Furthermore, the prolactin influences the breast milk production. A secretion of prolactin below the norm during thenursing tends to significantly reduce the production of milk by the mammary glands.
Let's see everything there is to know about the causes, symptoms but above all about the consequences of low prolactin.
11 PHOTOSThe positions for breastfeeding
go to the galleryHow to find the correct position for both mother and baby for breastfeeding? Apart from the four traditional positions, recommended by the consultants of La Leche League, here they are ...
In this article
- Prolactin: what it is and what it is used for
- Prolactin: how is it regulated?
- What if i have too little prolactin?
- Low Prolactin: Symptoms
- Low prolactin: the causes
- Low prolactin: the remedies
Prolactin: what it is and what it is used for
La prolactin is a hormone produced bypituitary gland, a gland located at the base of the brain, associated mainly withnursing. It is prolactin that spontaneously "kicks off" milk production after childbirth and continues to produce it under the stimulation of the baby's sucking.
It also performs other functions in the body: it is important in the reproductive and metabolic sphere, in the regulation of fluids (osmoregulation), and in the regulation of the immune system (immunoregulation).
13 PHOTOS
This is how life is born - PHOTO
go to the galleryConception really has something magical about it. It is a complex process, in which everything must take place in precise sequences and with perfect mechanisms. It seems incredible that all this could ...
Prolactin: how is it regulated?
One of the main regulators of prolactin production is the hormone called dopamine, which is produced byhypothalamus, the part of the brain directly above the pituitary gland. Dopamine limits the production of prolactin, so the more dopamine there is, the less prolactin is released. Prolactin itself increases dopamine secretion, so this creates a feedback loop between the two.
Estrogen is another key regulator of prolactin and has been shown to increase the production and secretion of the latter by the pituitary gland. Studies have shown small increases in prolactin in women's bloodstream during the stages of their reproductive cycle where estrogen levels are at their highest. This also happens during and after pregnancy, as a higher level of circulating prolactin is needed to initiatenursing.
In addition to dopamine and estrogen, a variety of other hormones can increase and decrease the amount of prolactin released in the body, with some examples being the release hormone. thyrotropin, oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone.
Read also: High prolactin, how to cure itWhat if i have too little prolactin?
The condition of having one insufficient amount of prolactin circulating in the blood is called hypoprolattinemia. This condition is very rare and can occur in people with pituitary hypoactivity.
A decrease in the amount of prolactin secreted can lead to insufficient milk production after delivery. Most people with low prolactin levels have no specific medical problems, although preliminary evidence suggests they may have a reduced immune response to some infections.
Low Prolactin: Symptoms
I symptoms of low prolactin they can be varied and are not always immediately related to this hormone. However thealteration of the prolactin production generally occurs in these cases:
- absence or abundance of menstrual periods
- ovarian cysts
- infertility
- overweight
- abortion
These are usually the so-called symptoms that prompt the doctor to further investigate this aspect.
Read also: Pregnancy hormones: what they are and how they workLow prolactin: the causes
Very often among the main causes that provoke one decrease in prolactin there are some categories of drugs such as i dopamine, but also certain diseases can affect prolactin, as in the case of bulimia and tumors and alterations of the pituitary gland. Stress, anxiety, or heavy physical activity can also contribute.
Low prolactin: the remedies
I normal prolactin values, at least for women, they are around 9-25 ng / ml, although during pregnancy they tend to increase up to 150-200 ng / ml. In the event that already during gestation lower prolactin values than the standards are found, the gynecologist will give you indications on what to do. Although this problem is usually treated with estrogen, reserpine, sulpiride, ranitine and ranitine, your doctor will give you the appropriate information.
Source for this article:
You and your hormones: Prolactin
Read also: Breastfeeding, all you need to knowQuestions and answers
What is prolactin?
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which, in normal conditions, has the function of stimulating the production of milk by the breast, in the period following childbirth (puerperium).
What are the normal values of prolactin?
For women of childbearing age, normal prolactin values are between 4.79 and 23.3 ng / ml (nanograms per milliliter). During pregnancy, however, the values are between 10 and 209 ng / ml.
TAG:
- breastfeeding
- pregnancy hormones
