Prolactin in Dehradun

What is a Prolactin?

Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, and its familiar job is driving breast-milk production after childbirth. Its less familiar effect is what makes the test useful: prolactin suppresses the hormones that govern ovulation and sperm production. That is the mechanism behind natural spacing of pregnancies during breastfeeding, and it is also why a prolactin that is raised outside pregnancy disrupts fertility. In women it produces irregular or absent periods, difficulty conceiving, and sometimes a milky nipple discharge when not breastfeeding. In men, where it is easily overlooked, it causes low libido, erectile difficulty and occasionally breast enlargement. The causes range widely. Stress, sleep, exercise, nipple stimulation and even the discomfort of the blood draw itself cause short-lived rises, which is why sampling conditions matter so much. Genuine sustained elevation is most often caused by a small benign pituitary tumour called a prolactinoma, by an underactive thyroid, by chronic kidney disease, or by medicines, particularly antipsychotics, some antidepressants, metoclopramide and domperidone.

Why take this test?

A prolactin test is advised for irregular, infrequent or absent periods, difficulty conceiving, and milky nipple discharge outside pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is a standard part of the infertility work-up in both partners, and in men it should be considered for unexplained low libido, erectile difficulty or breast tenderness, where it is frequently missed. It is also checked in unexplained headaches accompanied by visual disturbance, since a pituitary tumour large enough to press on the optic nerves can present that way. Because an underactive thyroid raises prolactin, doctors almost always test TSH at the same time; correcting the thyroid sometimes resolves the prolactin without any further treatment. Tell your doctor about every medicine you take, since drug-induced elevation is common and entirely reversible. A mildly raised result is usually repeated under careful conditions before anything is concluded.

• Irregular, infrequent or absent periods
• Difficulty conceiving, in either partner
• Milky nipple discharge outside pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Unexplained low libido or erectile difficulty in men
• Headache with visual disturbance
• Alongside TSH, since an underactive thyroid raises prolactin

Normal reference ranges

Ranges are indicative for adults. Your report carries the lab-specific reference range and is reviewed by a LabONE pathologist; always interpret results with your doctor.

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