| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Prolactin
Test CodeCPT Codes
84146
Preferred Specimen
Patient Preparation
Overnight fasting is preferred
Minimum Volume
Transport Container
Transport Temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
Reference Range
| Adult Males | 2.0-18.0 ng/mL | ||||
| Adult Females | |||||
| Non-Pregnant | 3.0-30.0 ng/mL | ||||
| Pregnant | 10.0-209.0 ng/mL | ||||
| Postmenopausal | 2.0-20.0 ng/mL |
Stages of Puberty (Tanner Stages)
| Female Observed | Male Observed | |
| Stage I | 3.6.12.0 ng/mL | ≤10.0 ng/mL |
| Stage II-III | 2.6-18.0 ng/mL | ≤6.1 ng/mL |
| Stage IV-V | 3.2-20.0 ng/mL | 2.8-11.0 ng/mL |
Clinical Significance
During pregnancy and postpartum lactation, serum prolactin can increase 10- to 20-fold. Exercise, stress, and sleep also cause transient increases in prolactin levels. Consistently elevated serum prolactin levels (>30 ng/mL), in the absence of pregnancy and postpartum lactation, are indicative of hyperprolactinemia. Hypersecretion of prolactin can be caused by pituitary adenomas, hypothalamic disease, breast or chest wall stimulation, renal failure or hypothyroidism. A number of drugs, including many antidepressants, are also common causes of abnormally elevated prolactin levels. Hyperprolactinemia often results in galactorrhea, amenorrhea, and infertility in females, and in impotence and hypogonadism in males. Renal failure, hypothyroidism, and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas are also common causes of abnormally elevated prolactin levels.
Performing Laboratory
| Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute |
| 14225 Newbrook Drive |
| Chantilly, VA 20153 |
