A new paper, titled “The Dutch Prolactinoma Cohort Studies: Cross-sectional Analysis of Females Focusing on the Patient's Perspective,” has been published in the JCEM.
This paper provides a useful reminder that a prolactinoma should form part of the differential diagnosis of ME/CFS, especially in women where there is no clear infective onset and two prominent symptoms are fatigue and cognitive dysfunction.
A prolactinoma is a benign tumour of the pituitary gland in the brain and causes an increased blood level of a hormone called prolactin – which can also result in the non ME/CFS type symptoms.
These include:
- In females: Irregular or absent periods, milky nipple discharge when not pregnant, and painful sex from vaginal dryness.
- In males: Erectile dysfunction, reduced sex drive (low libido), and low testosterone or infertility.
- From pressure (large tumors): Headaches and changes in vision, such as trouble seeing to the side.
Dr Charles Shepherd,
Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association,
Member of the 2018-2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS committee,
Member of the 2002 Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME/CFS
