Galactorrhoea

Characterised by a large amount of milky discharge from multiple ducts.

Management

• History/examination to consider cause: physiological, drugs, thyroid disorder, pituitary tumour (visual field defects/ new headaches) / prolactinoma (menstrualdisturbance/acne)
• Check serum prolactin/TSH
  • For serum prolactin the upper end of normal range is 496 mU/L in women and 324mU/L in men
  • Raised prolactin levels are common (e.g. due to higher dose COCP or stress).
  • In prolactinoma a very high value (over 1000 and usually several 1000mU/L) is expected.
• If a patient has a very high serum prolactin and isnot pregnant or breast feeding consider referral to Endocrinology not to breast surgery

 

For further information and interpretation of tests see patient.co.uk. The duty biochemist at RCHT can be contacted via switchboard for advice.

 

Date Reviewed                              November 2021

Next Review Date                          November 2022

Author                                            Dr I Boyd, RMS GP Sifter

Reviewed By                                  Dr M Attridge, RMS GP Sifter

Contributor                                     Dr Rebecca Osborne, GPwSI Breast, RCHT

 

Version No.  1.1