A prolactin (PRL) test is used to measure the prolactin levels in the blood. A prolactin test is generally ordered to detect prolactinoma, a pituitary gland tumour that causes infertility in women and
A prolactin (PRL) test is used to measure the prolactin levels in the blood. A prolactin test is generally ordered to detect prolactinoma, a pituitary gland tumour that causes infertility in women and reduced sex drive in males.
When is the Prolactin Test Prescribed?
If an individual's doctor suspects high levels of prolactin in their blood, depending on their symptoms, they can order a prolactin test. However, symptoms differ between men and women. Let’s take a glance at them:
For women
If you are a woman, your symptoms will be determined by whether or not you have already gone through menopause. Menopause is the stage in a woman's body when her menstrual cycles completely stop and she is no longer capable of conceiving. For a woman, it usually starts around the age of 50. Excess prolactin, on the other hand, can cause these symptoms in women who have not gone through menopause:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Breast tenderness
- Infertility (inability to conceive)
- Premature menopause. It is a condition where a woman experiences menopause (no menstruation) before the age of 40.
- Stubborn acne
For men
An excess amount of prolactin levels in men can show these symptoms:
- Extremely low sex drive
- Nipple discharge
- Unusual breast development
- Decreased body hair
Time Required for Prolactin Test Reports + Next Steps
Prolactin test reports are generally generated within 24 hours of the sample collection. Individuals can simply download their reports from the official website of Max Lab. Prolactin levels in the blood can be normal or high. The normal range of prolactin levels in men should be less than 20 ng/mL. In non-pregnant women, it should be less than 25 ng/mL, and in pregnant women, it should be 80-400 ng/mL.
As high prolactin levels can indicate a number of diseases, it is recommended to take this report to the doctor so that they can accurately diagnose the condition and decide further course of treatment.