Reference Range
The reference ranges for prolactin in females is as follows: [1]
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Adult female: 3-27 ng/mL
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Pregnant female: 20-400 ng/mL
The reference range for prolactin in adult males is 3-13 ng/mL. [1]
Interpretation
Hyperprolactinemia is associated primarily with prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors (prolactinoma).
Conditions associated with prolactin deficiency include anterior pituitary dysfunction secondary to the following:
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Postpartum pituitary necrosis (Sheehan syndrome)
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Extrapituitary tumor
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Treatment of pituitary/extrapituitary tumor
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Parasellar disease
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Infection (eg, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis)
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Infiltrative disease (eg, sarcoidosis, hemochromatosis)
Collection and Panels
Specifics for collection and panels are as follows:
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Specimen type: Blood serum
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Container: Vacutainer, red/black top
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Collection method: Venipuncture
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Specimen volume: 0.6 mL
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Other instructions: Collect specimen within 3-4 hours of awakening
Related tests are as follows:
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Luteinizing hormone (LH)
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Testosterone
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Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
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Estrogen
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Progesterone
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Growth hormone
Background
Description
Prolactin is pituitary hormone that stimulates breast development and milk production in women. Prolactin has no known normal function in men. [2, 3, 4, 5]
An image depicting prolactin can be seen below.
Indications/Applications
Indications for testing of serum prolactin include the following:
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Evaluation of galactorrhea
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Evaluation of headache and visual field deficits
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Evaluation of pituitary tumors
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Evaluation of male and female infertility
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Evaluation of amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea
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Evaluation of erectile dysfunction
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Evaluation of hypogonadism
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Monitoring therapy of prolactinoma and detecting recurrences
Considerations
Hyperprolactinemia may also be associated with the following:
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Breast stimulation (transient)
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Renal disease
Hyperprolactinemia may also be associated with the following drugs:
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Estrogen
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Tricyclic antidepressants
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Opiates
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Amphetamines
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Reserpine
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Verapamil
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Methyldopa
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Butyrophenones
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H2 blockers
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Metoclopramide
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Phenothiazines
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Risperidone
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Prolactin structure.