Endocrinology: prolactinoma: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Endocrinology: prolactinoma

Sample item

A patient has galactorrhea, amenorrhea, reduced libido, and a pituitary microadenoma. What hormonal abnormality is likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Hyperprolactinemia suppressing gonadotropin release

Elevated prolactin suppresses hypothalamic GnRH and reduces LH and FSH secretion, causing hypogonadism, amenorrhea, infertility, and low libido. Medications and pregnancy should also be considered in the evaluation.

Option by option

  • A. Low insulin secretion only

    Insulin deficiency causes diabetes mellitus.

  • B. Excess calcitonin only

    Calcitonin excess is not the mechanism of galactorrhea.

  • C. Hyperprolactinemia suppressing gonadotropin release (correct)

    Correct. Prolactin excess disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

  • D. Elevated aldosterone only

    Aldosterone excess causes hypertension and hypokalemia.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Hyperprolactinemia suppressing gonadotropin release. Elevated prolactin suppresses hypothalamic GnRH and reduces LH and FSH secretion, causing hypogonadism, amenorrhea, infertility, and low libido.

Why is "Low insulin secretion only" not the answer?

Insulin deficiency causes diabetes mellitus.

Why is "Excess calcitonin only" not the answer?

Calcitonin excess is not the mechanism of galactorrhea.

Why is "Elevated aldosterone only" not the answer?

Aldosterone excess causes hypertension and hypokalemia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: prolactinoma in General Medicine. Medications and pregnancy should also be considered in the evaluation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrinology: prolactinoma?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.