Q. Why did my wife have a normal prolactin level according to our psychologist but still had breast discharge?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Breast discharge can have many different causes, and your wife's situation is not unique. In fact, normal prolactin levels do not necessarily mean there isn't an underlying issue causing the discharge. While it is true that high prolactin levels often cause breast milk production in non-pregnant women, this is not always the case.
In some cases, a woman with perfectly normal levels of the hormone prolactin may still experience nipple discharge due to a myriad of conditions such as ovarian cysts, pituitary gland problems like hyperprolactinemia (often caused by tumors), hormonal imbalances caused by thyroid problems or menopause/perimenopause symptoms, certain medications (such as SSRIs), and even anxiety disorders.
Therefore if your wife has experienced persistent breast leakage despite having normal prolactin levels on her lab tests it may be worth discussing further investigation into any potential underlying medical conditions with a doctor to ensure she gets the right diagnosis and treatment for her condition.
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