High prolactin levels in dihydropteridine reductase deficiency: A sign of therapy failure or additional pathology?

JIMD Rep. 2021 Jun 29;61(1):48-51. doi: 10.1002/jmd2.12236. eCollection 2021 Sep.

Abstract

We report the case of a 22-year-old man with a diagnosis of dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) deficiency who progressively developed movement disorders and epilepsy. Despite L-Dopa supplementation the patient continued to show high prolactin levels, with a discrepancy between the neurological clinical picture and the hormonal biochemical levels. For this reason, other potential causes were ruled out by performing a cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, which demonstrated a solid lesion in the pituitary gland strongly suggestive of a prolactinoma. As the association between metabolic disorders affecting biogenic amine synthesis and prolactinoma has not been previously reported in humans, this report suggests that a critical evaluation of the use of prolactin as a guide for therapy dosage should be made in patients with DHPR deficiency disorders.

Keywords: BH4; DHPR; dopamine; prolactin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports