PROLACTIN

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.

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).

In these cases, a health worker often orders prolactin test:

1. Symptoms of hyperprolactinemia – like menstruation that is not regular, infertility, and galactorrhoea (spontaneous procurement of milk)
2. Suspected presence of prolactinomas (a type of tumour on the pituitary gland)
3. Following up for treatment response in respect to prolactin related disorders
4. Evaluating the function of the pituitary gland.

Risks:

1. Mild bruising, swelling or redness at needle-injection site
2. In some cases, it may cause nerve injury or infection

Limitations:

1. Falsely low results might be caused by some medical conditions or drugs.
2. Falsely elevated results might occur due to stress and sleep deprivation or some other medications
3. Hyperprolactinemia as well as this test will not detect all prolactinomas

The following parameters are evaluated:

1. Prolactin level: Measured using either ng/mL or μg/L.
2. 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

People who have:

1. Abnormal menstruation or infertility
2. Galactorrhoea (spontaneous milk production)
3. Symptoms of prolactinoma (headaches, vision changes, etc.)
4. Monitoring treatment response for prolactin-related disorders
5. Evaluation of pituitary gland function

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

Prolactin test is usually done to diagnose:

1. Hyperprolactinaemia
2. Prolactinoma (a type of pituitary gland tumour)
3. Hypopituitarism (underactive pituitary gland)
4. Other pituitary gland disorders

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.