title: Hyperprolactinaemia associated with increased thyroid volume and autoimmune thyroiditis in patients with prolactinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of hyperprolactinaemia on thyroid function, volume and nodularity in patients with prolactinoma.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Hyperprolactinaemia has been associated with various autoimmune diseases; however, the data on the correlation between the level of prolactin (PRL) and thyroid disorders have not been adequately clarified.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight subjects with new diagnosis of hyperprolactinaemia (group 1) and 39 subjects undergoing treatment for prolactinoma (group 2) were recruited from our outpatient clinic. Fifty-two healthy subjects were included as a control group (group 3).
  
  
  METHODS
  The serum PRL, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (free T4), thyroidal microsome (anti-TPO) and antithyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) levels were evaluated, and ultrasonographic thyroid volume was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequencies of positive anti-TPO and TgAb were significantly higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (P = 0·008). Also, the percentage of patients with thyroid heterogeneity were significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3 (P < 0·05). The percentage of patients with thyroid nodules were higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (p1-2 = 0·03, p1-3 = 0·05 and p2-3 = 0·637). The mean thyroid volume was significantly higher in group 1 (P = 0·001), and a positive correlation was found between thyroid volume and the level of PRL (r = 0·616; P = 0·0001). Prolactin had a significant effect on the total volume according to stepwise multiple linear regression analysis (adjusted R(2) is 0·268; P < 0·0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with hyperprolactinaemia have significantly increased thyroid volume, thyroid autoimmunity and nodule prevalence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Diskapi Yıldırım Beyazid Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muyesser
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sayki Arslan
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Oya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Topaloglu
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tutal
authors.forename: Melia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karakose
authors.forename: Askin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gungunes
authors.forename: Erman
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cakal
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozbek
authors.forename: Tuncay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Delibasi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; C006606:anti-thyroglobulin; C056626:thyroid microsomal antibodies; D011388:Prolactin; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine