Total Prolactin Test Price and Details
3 labs availableKnown As: PRL,Total PRL
Last Updated On Tuesday, May 20, 2025
What is a Prolactin Test?
A prolactin (PRL) test quantifies the amount of the hormone prolactin in your blood. Your pituitary gland, which is found immediately below your brain, is where the hormone is produced.
Prolactin levels rise in pregnant or recently delivered mothers so they can produce breast milk. However, it is possible to have high prolactin levels even if you are neither pregnant nor a man.
When you report experiencing any of the following symptoms,
your doctor may recommend a prolactin test:
For Females
- No or irregular periods
- Infertility
- Breast milk discharge while not breastfeeding or pregnant
- Sensitivity in the breast
- Vaginal dryness and hot flashes are two menopausal symptoms.
For Males
- Reduced sex desire
- Having trouble getting an erection
- Tenderness or swelling of the breast
- Creation of breast milk (very rare)
Both
- Unknown headaches
- Vision issues
When Is X Total-Prolactin Performed?
If you are experiencing prolactinoma symptoms, you might
require this test. Some signs could be:
- The ability to produce breast milk even if you are not
pregnant or nursing
- Blunt discharge
- Headaches
- Alterations to vision
Depending on whether you are a man or woman, you may have various other symptoms. The symptoms you experience as a woman also depend on whether you have undergone menopause. When a woman's monthly periods have stopped and she can no longer get pregnant, this era of her life is known as menopause. It typically begins when a woman is 50 or older.
Excess prolactin in women who have not reached menopause
might cause the following symptoms:
- Irregular cycles
- Periods that have entirely ceased before turning 40. This is
referred to as early menopause.
- Infertility
- Breast sensitivity
Menopausal women may not have symptoms until their condition develops. After menopause, excess prolactin frequently results in hypothyroidism. The body cannot produce enough thyroid hormone when this condition exists.
What happens when prolactin levels are measured?
A tiny needle will be used by a medical practitioner to draw blood from a vein in your arm. A small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial once the needle has been placed. The needle may sting somewhat when it enters or exits your body. Usually, this only needs a few minutes.
What is the Total-Prolactin range?
- Prolactin normal ranges are as follows:
- Less than 20 ng/mL (425 g/L) in men
- Women who are not pregnant: fewer than 25 ng/mL (25 g/L)
- Women who are pregnant: 80 to 400 ng/mL (80 to 400 g/L).
Different laboratories may have slightly different normal value ranges. Some laboratories test various samples or use various metrics. Ask your doctor what your particular test results signify.
What Are The Benefits Of This Test?
Most frequently, a prolactin levels test is used to:
- Identify a prolactinoma (a type of tumor of the pituitary
gland)
- Identify the root cause of a woman's irregular menstruation
and/or infertility
- Assist in determining the reason for a man's poor sex desire
and/or erectile dysfunction
What do the findings indicate?
If your prolactin levels are greater than expected, you may have one of the following conditions:
Prolactinoma (a form of tumor of the pituitary gland) (type of tumor of the pituitary gland)
Hypothyroidism
a condition affecting the hypothalamus. The pituitary gland and other bodily processes are under the supervision of the hypothalamus, a region of the brain.
liver illness
Your doctor could request an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) examination if your prolactin levels are high to obtain a better look at your pituitary gland.
Surgery or medication may be used to treat high prolactin
levels. Speak with your healthcare professional if you have any queries
regarding your results.
Frequently Asked Questions
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