PROLACTIN
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Certified Labs
NABH Accredited
60 mins collection
Not specified
Reports in
3hr
Measures
Prolactin levels in units of ng/mL or μg/L
Identifies
No identification information available
About The Test
What Is the Prolactin Test and Why Is It Important?
The test is essential because it measures how much prolactin hormone is in our blood. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which regulates lactation and breast development during pregnancy as well as menstrual cycle control and fertility. Screening for such conditions like hyperprolactinaemia, prolactinomas, and other pituitary disorders requires this testing.
Normally, a health care professional will collect a blood sample from your arm for analysis in a laboratory. Technically, these tests are based on immunoassay technology which quantifies prolactin concentrations in the serum.
What Does the Prolactin Test Measure?
Tests for prolactin measure its presence in the blood. The findings are presented as nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) or micrograms per litre (μg/L).
When Is the Prolactin Test Usually Taken?
In these cases, a health worker often orders prolactin test:
- Symptoms of hyperprolactinemia – like menstruation that is not regular, infertility, and galactorrhoea (spontaneous procurement of milk)
- Suspected presence of prolactinomas (a type of tumour on the pituitary gland)
- Following up for treatment response in respect to prolactin related disorders
- Evaluating the function of the pituitary gland.
Are there any risk or limitation with the Prolactin Test?
Risks:
- Mild bruising, swelling or redness at needle-injection site
- In some cases, it may cause nerve injury or infection
Limitations:
- Falsely low results might be caused by some medical conditions or drugs.
- Falsely elevated results might occur due to stress and sleep deprivation or some other medications
- Hyperprolactinemia as well as this test will not detect all prolactinomas
List of Parameters
What Parameters Are Evaluated in The Prolactin Test?
The following parameters are evaluated:
- Prolactin level: Measured using either ng/mL or μg/L.
- Reference range: This varies between laboratories but generally ranges from 2.6 -13.1 ng/ml (54 – 282 μg/L) for women and 2.1 -17.7 ng/ml(46-374μg/L).
Alterations: May be necessary for individuals with certain medical conditions or taking specified medications
Why This Test
Who Should Consider Taking the Prolactin Test?
People who have:
- Abnormal menstruation or infertility
- Galactorrhoea (spontaneous milk production)
- Symptoms of prolactinoma (headaches, vision changes, etc.)
- Monitoring treatment response for prolactin-related disorders
- Evaluation of pituitary gland function
Benefits
The Advantages of the Prolactin Test for Your Health
1. Diagnoses and monitors prolactin-related disorders, such as hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas
2. Helps identify causes of infertility, menstrual irregularities, or galactorrhoea
3. Guides treatment decisions and monitors treatment response
What Conditions Can the Prolactin Test Diagnose?
Prolactin test is usually done to diagnose:
- Hyperprolactinaemia
- Prolactinoma (a type of pituitary gland tumour)
- Hypopituitarism (underactive pituitary gland)
- Other pituitary gland disorders
Test Preparation
Preparing For a Prolactin Test.
Make sure you do not eat for at least a couple hours before you take this test. Make sure that you are calm and well-rested before taking it. Tell your healthcare provider about all medications that you take. Other things to note before going through this process include;
Prerequisites: None;
Eligibility: Anyone experiencing symptoms or conditions mentioned above.
Procedure for taking the test: Get blood from a vein in your arm
Caution before the test: Let your healthcare provider know if you take any drugs or have any health problems that may change the results.
Test Results
Interpreting the Results of Your Prolactin Test
Condition/Findings | Description | Interpretation |
---|---|---|
Elevated Prolactin Level | Higher than normal prolactin levels | May indicate hyperprolactinemia, prolactinoma, or other pituitary gland disorders. |
Normal Prolactin Level | Within the reference range | Suggests no prolactin-related disorders. |
Low Prolactin Level | Lower than normal prolactin levels | May indicate hypopituitarism or other pituitary gland disorders. |
FAQs
What is the normal range for prolactin?
Normal range varies with different labs but usually it falls between 2.6 and 13.1 ng/mL (54-282 μg/L) for women and between 2.1 and 17.7 ng/mL (46-374 μg/L) for men.
Do I need to be fasting before this test?
You may need to stop eating for a few hours prior to the test; ask your doctor if this is necessary
Can I take my medications before the test?
Let your healthcare provider know all the medicines you are on since they may alter the results