Why Galactorrhea in Acromegaly?

About 20 to 50 percent of the pituitary adenomas in patients with acromegaly also secrete PRL. 18 In addition, growth hormone has a lactogenic effect, which explains why some patients with acromegaly have galactorrhea without hyperprolactinemia.

Why is prolactin high in acromegaly?

Some pituitary tumors that create growth hormone can also increase the levels of other hormones in the body. For example, the tumor may produce prolactin, the hormone that prompts the mammary glands link to produce milk. This can lead to breast milk discharge in women.

What is the cause of galactorrhea?

Galactorrhea often results from having too much prolactin — the hormone responsible for milk production when you have a baby. Prolactin is produced by your pituitary gland, a small bean-shaped gland at the base of your brain that secretes and regulates several hormones.