Prolactinoma Masked by a Herbal Remedy.

The authors report a patient who came to a women’s clinic with signs of a prolactin producing brain tumor of the pituitary. When she first came to the women’s clinic, she had a history of infrequent menstrual periods leading to amenorrhea (absence of periods). Her breasts began producing milk, although she was not pregnant (galactorrhea.) Her prolactin blood level was elevated at 2166 IU/l. (Normal range is 80 to 600.)Six months later, when she appeared at the endocrinology clinic, she had normal menstrual periods. She no longer had galactorrhea. MRI of the brain showed a microadenoma of the pituitary. The serum prolactin was reduced to 1588 IU/l.Between the two appointments the patient had been taking a skin remedy called vitex (Vitex agnus castus) and no other medications. This herbal remedy has dopaminergic effects and can shrink prolactin producing tumors of the pituitary called prolactinomas. Vitex inhibits the production of prolactin at high doses and increases prolactin production at very low doses. Vitex has side effects of nausea, headache and abdominal upset.

The patient was started on a pharmaceutical dopamine agonist called cabergoline, to reduce the prolactin, and was told to discontinue the use of vitex to avoid complications.

CONCLUSION: A prolactinoma tumor of the pituitary can be treated with a pharmaceutical drugs or by herbal Vitex agnus castus. Both act as dopamine agonists and can reduce the production of prolactin and shrink the tumor.

NOTE: Other dopamine agonists include phenylalanine and tyrosine. Vitex, also called chasteberry, is used for acne. Read more about the ability of vitex to reduce prolactin levels.

Boswellin reduces prolactin levels by acting as a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor.

To read the author’s abstract of the article click on the link to the author’s title of the article above.

PMID: 17298863.

Summary #382.

Conditions: Amennorrhea, Galactorrhea, Pituitary adenoma, Prolactinoma

Supplements: Boswellia (Boswellia serrata), Chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus), Phenylalanine, Tyrosine

Miscellaneous: Dopamine agonists, Pituitary gland, Prolactin

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