The prolactin test measures the levels of prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, and is used to diagnose various conditions in both males and females. In females, the test is conducted for issues like menstrual irregularities and lactation failure, while in males, it helps in assessing decreased sexual drive and erectile dysfunction. Normal prolactin levels vary by gender and pregnancy status, and specific pre-test instructions must be followed for accurate results.

1. What is Prolactin Test?

3. What is Prolactin Test?
● The prolactin test measures the levels of prolactin in
the blood.
● Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary
gland, situated at the base of the brain.
● Prolactin is normally produced in small amounts in
males and non-pregnant females and in large
amounts during pregnancy.
● 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
• Menstrual irregularities like amenorrhea
• Infertility
• Abnormal breast milk discharge without pregnancy
• Lactation failure after childbirth
• 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
• Decreased sexual drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Abnormal breast milk discharge
• Suspected prolactinoma with symptoms like unexplained
headache or vision disturbances
• Loss of body and facial hair

6. How is Prolactin test done?
• Prolactin test is done on a blood
sample.
• 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?
• The blood sample is preferably collected 4 hours after
waking up. At this time the levels of Prolactin hormone
are at its peak.
• 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
• Males - 2 - 18 ng/mL
• Non-pregnant females - 3 - 29 ng/mL
• Pregnant females - 10 - 209 ng/mL
• Post-menopausal females - 2 - 20 ng/mL
*These values can vary slightly as per different laboratories

9. •Normally during pregnancy and after childbirth
•And in disease conditions like
• Prolactinoma, tumors of the pituitary gland
• Diseases of hypothalamus
• Hypothyroidism
• Polycystic ovary disease (PCOD)
High levels of prolactin are seen

10. For more information visit:
https://www.1mg.com/labs/test/prolactin-1906