The prolactin test is done to measure the levels of prolactin in the blood to check and monitor the associated disease condition. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland which is situated at the base of the brain.
Reference: https://www.1mg.com/labs/test/prolactin-test-1906
3. What is Prolactin Test?
โ The prolactin test measures the levels of prolactin in
the blood.
โ Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary
gland, situated at the base of the brain.
โ Prolactin is normally produced in small amounts in
males and non-pregnant females and in large
amounts during pregnancy.
โ The function of prolactin is to stimulate milk
production after childbirth. It is also known as milk-
producing hormone.
4. Why is Prolactin test done in females?
In females, this test is done in case of
โข Menstrual irregularities like amenorrhea
โข Infertility
โข Abnormal breast milk discharge without pregnancy
โข Lactation failure after childbirth
โข Suspected prolactinoma with symptoms of unexplained headache or
vision disturbances.
5. Why is Prolactin test done in males?
In males, this test is done if there is
โข Decreased sexual drive
โข Erectile dysfunction
โข Abnormal breast milk discharge
โข Suspected prolactinoma with symptoms like unexplained
headache or vision disturbances
โข Loss of body and facial hair
6. How is Prolactin test done?
โข Prolactin test is done on a blood
sample.
โข A syringe attached to a fine needle is
used to withdraw the blood from a
vein of your arm.
7. Any special instructions for the test?
โข The blood sample is preferably collected 4 hours after
waking up. At this time the levels of Prolactin hormone
are at its peak.
โข Inform your doctor if you are taking any medicines
including herbals or over the counter (OTC) medicines
as they may interfere with your test values.
8. Normal values of Prolactin test
โข Males - 2 - 18 ng/mL
โข Non-pregnant females - 3 - 29 ng/mL
โข Pregnant females - 10 - 209 ng/mL
โข Post-menopausal females - 2 - 20 ng/mL
*These values can vary slightly as per different laboratories
9. โขNormally during pregnancy and after childbirth
โขAnd in disease conditions like
โข Prolactinoma, tumors of the pituitary gland
โข Diseases of hypothalamus
โข Hypothyroidism
โข Polycystic ovary disease (PCOD)
High levels of prolactin are seen