A Patient's Body: A Case Study
Case Study # 1
A 30 year old woman has been trying to get pregnant for a year now. She’s always had irregular menstrual periods, but just recently her breasts starting secreting milk and she noticed that her sex drive was diminishing. She became so excited that she immediately took a pregnancy test, but the result was negative. She went to visit her doctor the following day to have her blood taken to confirm whether she managed to get a false negative on her pregnancy test. After her examination, it was determined that she definitely was not pregnant, but during her appointment, she also realized that she has had persistent headaches and fatigue for many months.
1. What is the most likely diagnosis for this patient? (1 mark)
A possible diagnosis for this patient could be Hyperprolactinemia.
2. What hormone is creating havoc within this patient’s body? Explain how this hormone affects milk production in her breast. In a regular pregnancy, what stops milk from being ejected from the breast prematurely? (3 marks) …show more content…
Prolactin stimulates the development of mammary gland tissue and milk production (lactogensis). During infant feeding, the never ending in the nipples becomes stimulated causing the release of prolactin-secreting hormones by the hypothalamus. This spinal reflex (neuroendocrine reflex) stimulates the production of prolactin. Before a woman gives birth the prolactin is inhibited by the neurotransmitter dopamine. Additionally, the hormone progesterone inhibits milk secretion in the breasts. However, after delivery, progesterone levels drop and trigger Lactogenesis
A 30 year old woman has been trying to get pregnant for a year now. She’s always had irregular menstrual periods, but just recently her breasts starting secreting milk and she noticed that her sex drive was diminishing. She became so excited that she immediately took a pregnancy test, but the result was negative. She went to visit her doctor the following day to have her blood taken to confirm whether she managed to get a false negative on her pregnancy test. After her examination, it was determined that she definitely was not pregnant, but during her appointment, she also realized that she has had persistent headaches and fatigue for many months.
1. What is the most likely diagnosis for this patient? (1 mark)
A possible diagnosis for this patient could be Hyperprolactinemia.
2. What hormone is creating havoc within this patient’s body? Explain how this hormone affects milk production in her breast. In a regular pregnancy, what stops milk from being ejected from the breast prematurely? (3 marks) …show more content…
Prolactin stimulates the development of mammary gland tissue and milk production (lactogensis). During infant feeding, the never ending in the nipples becomes stimulated causing the release of prolactin-secreting hormones by the hypothalamus. This spinal reflex (neuroendocrine reflex) stimulates the production of prolactin. Before a woman gives birth the prolactin is inhibited by the neurotransmitter dopamine. Additionally, the hormone progesterone inhibits milk secretion in the breasts. However, after delivery, progesterone levels drop and trigger Lactogenesis