Prolactin

Specimen

Serum

Lab Tests Online

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Units

mu/L

Reference Range

Female
Min : 102
Max : 496

Male
Min : 86
Max : 324

Test Usage

Prolactin is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and induces lactation. Normally, prolactin is secreted in a pulsatile, sleep dependent rhythm with highest levels occurring during sleep and lowest levels occurring a few hours after waking. Prolactin secretion by the pituitary gland is under tonic inhibition from the hypothalamus via dopamine. Any lesion of the pituitary stalk prevents tonic inhibition and allows prolactin levels to rise. Prolactin concentrations normally rise with illness and physical stress. If pharmacologic doses of thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) are administered, prolactin concentrations can increase.

Turnaround time

1 day

Availability

Local test

Can be added on to an existing request up to 4 days following sample receipt