| 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 CodePROLQ
Alias/See Also
Prolactin
Quest Code
746
Quest Code
746
CPT Codes
84146
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube (SST)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
1 mL serum collected in a no additive (red-top) tube, transferred to a plastic screw-cap vial
Patient Preparation
Overnight fasting is preferred.
Patient Preparation
Overnight fasting is preferred.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days
Methodology
Immunoassay
Setup Schedule
Monday-Sunday all shifts
Report Available
Next day
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
Chantilly, VA
Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
Chantilly, VA
