Prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in infertile cases and its correlation with TSH in a rural set up hospital

Background: Hyperprolactinemia is a common endocrine disorder of hypothalamic-pituitary ovarian axis affecting the reproductive functions. Despite the significant role of hyperprolactinemia in infertility, serum prolactin estimation is still not universally done as a part of evaluation of infertility. This study intended to find out the incidence of hyperprolactinemia in infertility, highlight the importance of assessment of serum TSH level in hyperprolactinemia. Methods: 200 cases of primary and secondary infertility were investigated for serum prolactin levels at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Wardha from 2011-2013. Results: There were 130 (65%) cases of primary infertility as against 70 (35%) cases of secondary infertility. A maximum of 106 (53%) cases were in the age group of 26 - 30 years, with the mean age as 27.50±3.76years. There were 11.5% cases of hyperprolactinemia out of 200 cases of infertility. 21.73% cases of hyperprolactinemia had hypothyroidism. Conclusion: The high prevalence of hyperprolactinemia with infertility stresses the fact that all the cases of infertility should be subjected for serum prolactin estimation. Prolactin estimation should be done at early stages of infertility check up rather than straight away going for more costly tests or invasive procedures. There is high crude prevalence of hypothyroidism in hyperprolactinemia. All the cases of hyperprolactinemia should have TSH estimation. [Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2013; 2(4.000): 626-630]