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Prolactin is the cause of excess weight
Last reviewed: 20.10.2021
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This hormone produces a small area of the brain - the pituitary gland. It is prolactin that can be the reason that a woman is gaining extra pounds. The most prolactin is produced when the mother feeds the baby with the breast, because the prolactin controls the level of milk in the mammary glands. Then the nursing mother can begin to recover actively.
[What you need to know about prolactin?
Know that if a woman is not pregnant, the level of prolactin in her body will not be more than 20 ng / ml. The same amount of prolactin is the norm for a man. But if a woman is pregnant, the level of prolactin is steadily increasing.
In the last months of pregnancy, it can reach 300 ng / ml. When prolactin in the body becomes more than 20 ng / ml, the monthly may not be regular, or with increasing levels of prolactin markups cease.
What threatens the increased production of prolactin?
This condition can be accompanied by the discharge of milk from the nipples, as well as headaches, irritability, bad mood.
Passing hormonal tests at the level of prolactin, you will be able to identify whether you are pregnant and whether you should prescribe hormone therapy.
When the mother gives birth and begins breastfeeding the baby, the level of prolactin decreases compared to the last trimester of pregnancy, and it becomes easier to control your weight.
Prolactin can be the cause of excess weight also because it is able to suppress the female hormone estradiol, which controls the activity of metabolism in the body.
The condition of the bone tissue may break (the bones become brittle), the skin may lose its elasticity and sag, and hair may begin to fall out. All these are signs of a high level of prolactin.
Prolactin and age-related changes
Prolactin becomes more in the body when a woman starts age changes. Metabolism slows down, because of the increased level of prolactin, which affects the laying of fat, weight is more difficult to control, even if you are tormenting yourself with diets.
The causes of increased prolactin levels can be:
- Menopause and menopause
- Age changes after 40-а
- Stress
- Increased physical activity
- Undosed stay in the gym
- Uncontrolled use of drugs, especially psychotropic drugs
- Constant stimulation of nipples in women
Consequences of high levels of prolactin
If the pituitary gland produces too much of this hormone, a person's vision, memory, and overall health can be significantly impaired. The reason for this is education in the pituitary gland, which can physically put pressure on the optic nerve and thus worsen the eye's work.
If you notice these symptoms, consult an endocrinologist for analysis of prolactin. Blood ailysis, made from 07.00 to 08.00, will give detailed information about the level of this hormone in the blood. Then the endocrinologist will be able to prescribe the best treatment for you.
In this case, you can adjust the production of prolactin in the body, then you will be much easier to control your weight and well-being.
Be healthy and on time contact to professional doctors!