Hyperprolactinemia in a Transgender Male

Abstract

We present a case of hyperprolactinemia in a transgender male. We discuss the various etiologies for hyperprolactinemia in this population of patients and discuss management options. We present a case report and review of the literature. A 29-year-old transgender male treated with gender-affirming hormone therapy with testosterone presented with hyperprolactinemia. Labs revealed an elevated prolactin level. The patient completed further laboratory evaluation as well as imaging with a pituitary magnetic resonance imaging which all revealed normal results. He was wearing a tightly fitted breast binder while awaiting bilateral mastectomy. After bilateral mastectomy prolactin normalized, suggesting breast binding as the cause of the elevated prolactin. This is the only case in the literature which highlights breast binding as a possible cause of an elevated prolactin level. Our case report illustrates the various etiologies associated with an elevated prolactin level and highlights the importance of considering unique etiologies in populations such as transgender males.