Diagnóstico bioquímico del exceso de secreción de prolactina

In healthy individuals, PRL circulates in blood in three molecular forms, one of which is an antigen-antibody complex composed of PRL and an IgG immunoglobulin called macroprolactin. Although the biological activity and bioavailablity of macroprolactin is more limited than those of the monomeric form, this complex is immunoreactive and produces PRL levels that are above the reference range in 10-15% of individuals with hyperprolactinemia. To detect macroprolactin, a method based on polyethylene glycol precipitation is generally used.