CPT® Code 80440

Deleted

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation panel; for hyperprolactinemia This panel must include the following: Prolactin (84146 x 3)

The CPT® Code 80440 refers to a specific laboratory test known as the Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation panel, which is utilized for the diagnosis and monitoring of hyperprolactinemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of prolactin in the blood. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including the stimulation of breast milk production, regulation of the immune system, and involvement in metabolism and blood clotting. Hyperprolactinemia can present with a range of symptoms depending on the gender of the patient. In women, it may lead to abnormal breast milk secretion, known as galactorrhea, as well as amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation) and infertility. In men, the condition often manifests as reduced libido and erectile dysfunction. The underlying causes of hyperprolactinemia can vary, with the most common being prolactinoma, a typically benign tumor of the anterior pituitary gland, the use of neuroleptic or antipsychotic medications, and primary hypothyroidism. The TRH stimulation test is designed to assess the body's response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone, which, when produced in excess, inhibits dopamine secretion. This inhibition results in increased prolactin secretion from the pituitary gland. Elevated prolactin levels can suppress the secretion of gonadotropic releasing hormone, leading to decreased production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the ovaries and testes. For accurate results, the TRH stimulation test requires the patient to fast overnight, and involves the insertion of an intravenous line to facilitate blood sample collection and TRH administration.