WHAT IS A PROLACTIN TEST?
A prolactin test measures the prolactin levels in the blood. Prolactin is a hormone produced by pituitary glands situated just below the brain. The main role of the prolactin hormone is to promote the growth and breasts and produce breast milk during pregnancy and after childbirth. A prolactin levels test is conducted to:
- Diagnose tumors in the pituitary gland, called Prolactinoma
- Find the reason for irregular periods and infertility in women
- Observe the cause of decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction in men
Prolactin levels are usually high in pregnant women and women who gave recent birth. Whereas, prolactin levels are normally low in men and non-pregnant women.
WHEN TO GET TESTED FOR ELEVATED LEVELS OF PROLACTIN?
Your doctor might ask you to get tested for a prolactin test if the symptoms of high levels of prolactin occur such as:
- Vision impairment
- Headaches
- Unexplainable discharge from the breast nipple
SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED MENOPAUSE
Symptoms of high prolactin levels for women who have experienced menopause are:
- Infertility
- Unstable menstrual cycle
- Tenderness in the breast
- Premature menopause
SYMPTOMS IN MEN
Symptoms of elevated prolactin levels in men are:
- Enlargement of the breast
- Decreased sex drive
- Discharge from the nipples
- Diminished body hair
- Erectile dysfunction
IS THERE ANY TEST PREPARATION AND SAMPLE COLLECTION REQUIRED FOR THE TEST?
There is no specific test preparation required to conduct a prolactin test. But, it is preferred to take the test 3-4 hours after you wake up, since, prolactin levels are the most elevated during the morning time. However, the sample for a prolactin test is collected by drawing a blood sample. The sample is usually drawn from a vein of the arm and collected in a test tube to perform further investigation.
WHAT DO THE TEST RESULTS INDICATE?
The prolactin levels in the blood are normally measured in Nanograms/milliliter (ng/mL). Normal levels of prolactin in men and women are 17 ng/mL or 25 ng/mL. Also, prolactin levels in pregnant women range from 34 to 346 ng/mL. Higher levels of prolactin indicate one of the following condition:
- Prolactinoma (tumor in the pituitary gland)
- Hypothalamus diseases
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Anorexia nervosa
- Hyperthyroidism
Low levels of prolactin in the blood usually point to hypopituitarism. It is a pituitary disorder condition in which the pituitary gland doesn’t function properly.
EMPLOY AWAMI LAB, GUJRAT TO DELIVER PREMIUM LAB SERVICES
If you feel any of the symptoms of elevated prolactin levels, we encourage you to employ Awami Lab, Gujrat to provide you with the best lab service for prolactin test. Awami Lab is proud to offer the best medical care health services in Gujrat. We provide premium and the best lab services for prolactin test. Our team comprises professional technicians and phlebotomists who perform every test in a safe and hygienic environment. We make sure to deliver authentic test reports as soon as the sample is sent to the lab for analysis.
