Question:
considering surgery ..Is hyperprolactemia considered a morbidity please advise

Hyperprolactemia is a high prolactin level its a hormonal inbalance and it irregulates your period.. has to do with the pituitary glad which i've taken hormones in the past (dostinex,parlodel) in order to decrease the size of my pituitary sack which formed a non cancerous tumor., currently no signs of this tumor ... dont have it since i gave birth to my toddler 2 yrs ago..and there fore i am producing breast milk(prolactin produces breast milk) and this control my high prolactin. when not nursing or pregnant is where this becomes an issue which is them considered abnormal prolactin level (hyperprolactemia)i've been suffering from this for the past decade or longer and i believe it has contributed alot to my weight gain, and the abnormal hormonal imbalance. although i am considered a light weight I am not sure if this counts as a morbidity?    — Jan D. (posted on April 16, 2007)

April 17, 2007
I think you may be confusing comorbidity with morbid obesity. Morbid, in this case, describes the degree/severity of obesity. A comorbid condition is something that occurs in addition to or has impact on a primary diagnosis. For example, morbid obesity would be a primary diagnosis and comorbid conditions might be high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Morbid Obesity is defined as having a BMI over 40. Unless you gain enough weight to increase your BMI, you will not be considered morbidly obese. I don't know if hyperprolactemia would be consider to be a comorbid problem--by definition only, it would be, but in the context of qualifiyng for WLS, I'm not sure. You said that you believe that the hyperproclactemia is a major contributor to your weight gain... in that case the hyperprolactemia may reduce the chances of insurance approval. Losing weight (unless I am missing something) will not improve or cure your hyperproclactemia. Generally, with WLS, conditions that are consider comorbid are those that are caused or made worse by obesity and that are expected to improve as a result of the surgery. I'm guessing that isn't what you want to hear... I'm not a doctor or an insurance agent so please do see what your insurance policy requires for WLS eligibility and coverage. Best wishes.
   — mrsidknee

April 17, 2007
If you are asking if the hyperprolactemia can be considered a co-morbidity, ask your surgeon....
   — Kari_K

April 17, 2007
Hi i also have hyperprolactemia, and it has caused me to gain alot of weight, my doctor explained it to me as your body thinks its pregnant all the time even though you are not. I do not have children . but my endocronologist has sent letters to my insurence carrier to help me get the surgery. I am not morbid obese ,but my doctor said he would do my surgery since i have tried to lose the weight and can not b/c of the hyperprolactemia. hope this helps you.
   — brandy2540