The classification of hyperprolactinemia based on its etiology aims to provide an individualized diagnostic and therapeutic approach. It can distinguish five different groups of this pathology: iatrogenic, reflex, secondary to hypothyroidism, idiopathic and tumor.
With the end of idiopathic hiperprloactinemias are included all that could not be included in any of the other categories (iatrogenic, reflecting, thyroid, etc..). They are very common, although the percentage is reduced by increasing the sensitivity of different diagnostic techniques for detecting microprolactinomas.
It is considered that more than 50% of these correspond to hyperprolactinemia tumor processes not detected by standard methods. Other cases have been attributed to alterations in the synthesis, release and/or metabolism of dopamine, of the routes of neurotransmission, or a hypothetical liberating factor of prolactin release not yet identified.
Within this group are also included so-called hiper respondents. Women with a response pituitary abnormally elevated to a stimulus, as would be the TRH or a antidopaminergic, probably influenced by a maintained hyperestrogenism.