Understanding what a Prolactin Test Means and its Results for Women

Prolactin is a hormone that is produced in the pituitary gland, which is present just below the brain. Your prolactin levels are important to check as their measurement in your blood can help in understanding various symptoms.

There may be several reasons why your prolactin levels are too high or too low, which could be tied to infertility, physical symptoms, mood management problems, etc. You can get a prolactin test done if you're planning for a family or need a complete medical examination.

A prolactin test means the measurement of the levels of the PRL hormone in the body. This provides a direct indicator of lactation, or a sign of a disorder if the levels are high. You can also check for a underlying hormonal issue by testing for prolactin.

These are the normal ranges for men and women.

Men - 2 - 18 ng/mL

Non-pregnant women - 2 - 29 ng/mL

Pregnant women - 10 - 209 ng/mL

If you are experiencing the main symptoms and need a complete check-up, then you should opt for a PRL test. The PRL test results can provide more information to your doctors about the right next steps.

A prolactin test is performed for men, women, and pregnant women, when there are symptoms of PRL levels being elevated. You can experience discharge, swollen breast tissues, and other important signs without fully understanding why you are experiencing them.

There are several reasons why your prolactin levels could be out of range, which is why it is important to track them when experiencing the signs. You can also get more information about your pituitary gland when you get your PRL levels checked.

There could be an indicator of a pituitary gland tumour, which may be causing high levels of PRL. You should get your PRL tested and get further advice from your doctors.

Any site injury can cause high prolactin levels over time, as there may be damage to the pituitary gland. These could be identified through further testing and analysing the medical history of the person.

Hypothyroidism and other diseases can cause your PRL levels to be out of range. You can get tested to check if you have a thyroid condition or other diseases.

Certain medication can cause changes in PRL levels in the pituitary gland, which could create critical symptoms.

Hyperprolactinemia could be caused by an imbalance in the hormonal profile, which may be adding to the signs being experienced.

Underlying disorders may have an impact on PRL levels which can lead to symptoms escalation over time.

There are several signs of high prolactin levels which can be identified through tracking for some time. You can get a sense of what symptoms you may be experiencing while getting a complete test for the levels of prolactin.

You may have delays in your periods or experience a lack of periods for extended time. The pituitary gland may be impacted which can increase the levels of prolactin in the blood.

High levels of prolactin can lead to issues with irritability and mood management. The test of the prolactin levels produced by the pituitary gland can help in knowing more.

A prolactin blood test can help in understanding whether there is a breast tissue enlargement issue if you have high prolactin.

Your pituitary gland may be impacted which is why your overall drive may be lowered. The amount of prolactin can be measured with the blood test.

Infertility is a key risk factor when it comes to high prolactin levels, which is why getting tested is important.

*Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s)