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NABL & ICMRAccreditedA Prolactin test is done to check the amount of prolactin in a sample of your blood. The pituitary gland, which is a small gland situated near the base of the brain, secretes the hormone prolactin. Hormones are chemical messengers that circulate in the blood and regulate the function of specific cells or organs. The primary function of prolactin is to promote the breast tissue to grow during pregnancy and produce milk after delivery. Thus, prolactin levels are normally high in pregnancy and in new mothers.
If prolactin levels increase in men and women (who are not pregnant or nursing), it can trigger the production of breast milk. In women, high prolactin levels (or hyperprolactinaemia) can affect the functioning of ovaries and lead to menstrual irregularities and infertility (inability to conceive). In men, high prolactin levels can affect the functioning of the testes and result in decreased sex drive or erectile dysfunction (inability to achieve or maintain an erection).
High prolactin levels can be caused by several conditions, such as pituitary gland disorders, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), or even certain medications. A Prolactin test cannot identify the cause of high prolactin levels, but knowing your prolactin level can help your doctor decide which other tests are needed to find the cause of your symptoms.
In cities with a stressful lifestyle like Bangalore, this test is useful to find out whether symptoms like menstrual irregularities, infertility, and decreased sex drive are caused by altered prolactin levels or conditions like stress.
The Prolactin test in Bangalore assesses the level of only one parameter in a blood sample – Prolactin.
Prolactin is primarily responsible for the growth of breasts during pregnancy and the production of breast milk after delivery.
Prolactin levels in the blood change throughout the day as it is affected by many factors, such as stress, exercise, high-protein diet, certain medications, and sexual intercourse. So, based on your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may request retesting to confirm the results. If you have high prolactin levels without symptoms of hyperprolactinaemia or if the pituitary imaging studies are normal, your doctor may recommend other tests such as a macroprolactin assay to confirm the results.
Prior to getting a Prolactin test, here are a few important points to know about the test:
Prerequisites
No special preparations are required for a Prolactin test. The Prolactin test requires only a sample of your blood for testing. However, your doctor may advise you to fast for a few hours if any other tests that require fasting are ordered along with the Prolactin test.
Best Time to Get Tested
The blood sample for the Prolactin test can be taken at any time of the day as fasting is not required. However, if you are getting other tests in addition to the Prolactin test, your doctor may recommend an optimal time to get tested.
When is the Prolactin Test Recommended
A Prolactin test is most often done to diagnose a type of pituitary tumour called a prolactinoma that causes the pituitary gland to produce more prolactin. Individuals diagnosed with prolactinoma are also monitored with regular testing, to see if the treatment is working, and after treatment, to check if the tumour has come back.
The Prolactin test is also recommended if you experience symptoms of high prolactin levels. These symptoms are different in men and women.
Women may have symptoms such as:
Irregular periods
Nipple discharge or production of breastmilk without pregnancy or breastfeeding
Infertility
Men may present with:
Low sex drive
Erectile dysfunction
Reduced facial and body hair
Enlarged breasts
Nipple discharge
The Prolactin test may also be recommended to check for low prolactin levels in women who do not produce enough breast milk after delivery.
Cautions Before Doing the Prolactin Test
The Prolactin test is generally a safe and simple test and requires no precautions. However, some medications can alter prolactin levels. Therefore, make sure to inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking.
A Prolactin Blood test at homeis usually ordered along with other tests in the following situations: 1,2
To find the cause of:
Nipple discharge or breastmilk secretion in men and nonpregnant women
Irregular periods in women
Erectile dysfunction in men
Low sex drive and fertility issues in men and women
To diagnose pituitary tumours: A Prolactin Blood test is often done to help diagnose a prolactinoma. Along with symptoms of high prolactin levels, a prolactinoma that is untreated can progress to cause headaches, changes in vision, and low levels of other pituitary hormones, such as cortisol and thyroid hormones. Your doctor may also recommend imaging studies to check for pituitary tumours.
To monitor a prolactinoma and check if the treatment is working. Retesting is also done after treatment to check for tumour recurrence.
To check prolactin levels in new moms who have reduced milk production after childbirth.
The normal range of prolactin in the blood is as follows:
| Test | Biological Reference | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Prolactin | 3.1-21.9 | ng/mL (nanograms/millilitre) |
Depending on your gender, symptoms, medical history, and the results of any other tests done, your doctor will interpret the results of your Prolactin test. High prolactin levels in men and nonpregnant women may be seen in conditions such as:
Prolactinoma or other pituitary gland disorders
Disorders affecting the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls the pituitary gland and other vital body functions.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women
Hypothyroidism
Kidney disease
Cirrhosis, or scarring of liver
Low prolactin levels are rare but may indicate a pituitary problem. Without adequate prolactin, a woman may not produce enough breastmilk after giving birth. Since blood prolactin levels fluctuate, your doctor may suggest getting tested again to confirm the results.
The Prolactin test price is ₹ 600. This price includes the fastest home sample collection within 60 minutes of booking, and the reports are available in 12 hours.
The Prolactin test is used to check the blood prolactin levels in individuals with symptoms of hyperprolactinaemia, such as nipple discharge, infertility, or low sex drive in men and women, irregular periods in women, and erectile dysfunction in men. It is also used to diagnose and monitor prolactinomas.
No, fasting is not required. The Prolactin test can be taken at any time of the day, as per your convenience.
Yes, Orange Health Labs offers home sample collection for the Prolactin test that is both convenient and hassle-free. Within 60 minutes of booking a test or at your selected time, an eMedic will appear at your doorstep for sample collection.
Listed below are the steps to book any blood test or health checkup on our platform
Search for the test: Look for the Ferritin Test in Bangalore or at home and click on Orange Health’s listing.
Review and Book: Select the test, check the test prerequisites, enter your address, and confirm the booking after picking a suitable time slot for sample collection.
Sample Collection: Our skilled eMedic will arrive within your chosen time slot to collect the sample at your home.
Lab Processing: The collected sample will be sent to and examined at our NABL accredited and ICMR approved labs.
Receive Results: You will receive your reports via email or WhatsApp within 12 hours. They will also be available on our app.
The normal range of prolactin in the blood is 3.1 to 21.9 ng/mL.
The Prolactin test reports are available within 12 hours of sample collection.
Your doctor will advise you on how often to take the Serum Prolactin test depending on your symptoms and health history.
The Prolactin test measures only one parameter - the prolactin levels in your bloodstream.
The Prolactin test detects the level of the hormone prolactin in your bloodstream. The levels are normally high in pregnant women and new mothers. Elevated prolactin levels in men and nonpregnant women could be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as a pituitary disorder, hypothyroidism, or kidney disease.
Without having to visit a physical lab, Orange Health provides the fastest Prolactin test services near you across Bangalore at the convenience of your home. Localities include but not limited to Adugodi, Banashankari, Bannerghatta, Basavanagudi, Bellandur, BTM Layout, Chamrajpet, Cottonpet, CV Raman Nagar, Domlur, Electronic City, Frazer Town, Giri Nagar, Hebbal, Hennur, Hosur, HSR Layout, Jakkur, Jalahalli, Jaya Nagar, Kadugodi, Kammanahalli, Kengeri, Koramangala, Mahalakshmi Layout, Madiwala, Magadi Road, Malleshwaram, Marathahalli, Mathikere, Mysore Road, Nagarbhavi, Nandhini Layout, Old Airport Road, Peenya, RT Nagar, Rajaji Nagar, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Sadashivnagar, Sahakara Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Sarjapur, Seshadripuram, Shanthi Nagar, Shivaji Nagar, Sri Nagar, Tyagarajnagar, Uttarahalli, Vasanth Nagar, Vidyaranyapura, Vijaya Nagar, Whitefield, Yelahanka, Yeshwantpur.
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