Macroprolactinaemia: contribution to hyperprolactinaemia in a district general hospital and evaluation of a screening test based on precipitation with polyethylene glycol.

For a period of 12 months all samples submitted for serum prolactin (PRL) assay and with PRL > 700 mU/L were examined by gel filtration chromatography. In 17 (25%) of 69 samples we found macroprolactin. The Delfia and Immuno 1 immunoassay systems gave similar PRL results with samples containing macroprolactin whereas the ACS 180 system gave lower results. With the Delfia and Immuno 1 systems samples containing substantial quantities of macroprolactin showed low recovery of PRL after precipitation with polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) and this technique can be used as a screening test for macroprolactinaemia. We conclude that macroprolactinaemia is a common phenomenon and, in assays which detect this species, is a common cause of hyperprolactinaemia. Macroprolactinaemia may contribute to the difficulty in establishing an upper limit of the reference range for serum PRL. In our experience, patients with macroprolactinaemia do not exhibit features of the hyperprolactinaemia syndrome and it is important to recognize macroprolactin as the cause of hyperprolactinaemia to avoid unnecessary investigation and treatment.