4-30 ng/ml in females and 4-23 ng/mL in males.
1 A normal or low prolactin level does not always mean there is no pituitary tumor. 2  An MRI test may be done if a pituitary tumor is suspected. 3  High levels of prolactin may mean that the pituitary gland is making excess prolactin for unknown reasons (idiopathic hyperprolactinemia). 1 If a prolactin level is over 200 ng/mL, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test may be done to confirm a pituitary tumor is present. 2  A normal or low prolactin level does not always mean there is no pituitary tumor. 3 In women, a prolactin test may be ordered if she displays symptoms of prolactinoma, which is a benign (non-cancerous)tumor on the pituitary glandthat produces high levels of prolactin. Symptoms of prolactinoma can include: 1  unexplained headaches. 2  visual impairment. In other words, prolactin triggers lactation. The specific function of prolactin in men is not well known, although levels of prolactin have been found to be a measure of sexual satisfaction in both men and women. A prolactin test is a blood test that measures the level of the hormone in your body. 1 The higher the prolactin level, the more likely a pituitary gland tumor is present. 2  If a prolactin level is over 200 ng/mL, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test may be done to confirm a pituitary tumor is present. 3  A normal or low prolactin level does not always mean there is no pituitary tumor. 1 If a prolactin level is over 200 ng/mL, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test may be done to confirm a pituitary tumor is present. 2  A normal or low prolactin level does not always mean there is no pituitary tumor. 3  An MRI test may be done if a pituitary tumor is suspected. High values. 1  High levels of prolactin (usually higher than 200 ng/mL) may mean a pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma) is present. 2  The higher the prolactin level, the more likely a pituitary gland tumor is present. 1 If a prolactin level is over 200 ng/mL, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test may be done to confirm a pituitary tumor is present. 2  A normal or low prolactin level does not always mean there is no pituitary tumor. 3  An MRI test may be done if a pituitary tumor is suspected. The normal range for prolactin is 4-30 ng/ml in females and 4-23 ng/mL in males. However, they also vary by age and time of day and so should be interpreted in the complete clinical scenario. Simply put, prolactin is a hormone secreted by the body that causes lactation, or the let down reflex in women who are nursing so that milk is available to the baby. Prolactin, like other hormones, also has other effects on the body, but lactation is the primary effect. 1 High levels of prolactin (usually higher than 200 ng/mL) may mean a pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma) is present. 2  The higher the prolactin level, the more likely a pituitary gland tumor is present. 1 If a prolactin level is over 200 ng/mL, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test may be done to confirm a pituitary tumor is present. 2  A normal or low prolactin level does not always mean there is no pituitary tumor. 3  An MRI test may be done if a pituitary tumor is suspected. Prolactin is secreted from the pituitary gland in response to eating, mating, estrogen treatment, ovulation, and nursing. Prolactin is secreted in a pulsatile fashion in between these events. Prolactin also plays an essential role in metabolism, regulation of the immune system, and pancreatic development.  Prolactin. Guide. A prolactin test measures the level of the hormone prolactin, which is made by the pituitary gland, in your blood. Pregnant women have high levels of prolactin, which helps make breast milk. During pregnancy, prolactin levels increase by 10 to 20 times. After the baby is born, prolactin stays high if you are breast-feeding. In women who do not breast-feed, prolactin levels return to normal soon after they give birth. A blood prolactin test is usually done about 3 hours after you wake up, sometime between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Emotional stress or strenuous exercise just before the test can raise prolactin levels. You may be asked to rest quietly for up to 30 minutes before having your blood drawn. In cases of prolactinoma, the test is carried out regularly to check the tumor’s response to treatment. The prolactin test can also be performed if a woman is having infertility problems or irregular menstrual periods and also to rule out problems with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. In other words, prolactin triggers lactation. The specific function of prolactin in men is not well known, although levels of prolactin have been found to be a measure of sexual satisfaction in both men and women. A prolactin test is a blood test that measures the level of the hormone in your body. Prolactin levels may be used for several reasons. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland and its primary role is to help initiate and maintain breast milk production in pregnant and nursing women. Prolactin testing may be used, along with other hormone tests, to help:
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/prolactin-15129?page=2 http://www.healthline.com/health/prolactin http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/prolactin-15129?page=2 http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/prolactin-15129?page=2 http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_normal_range_of_prolactin_hormone http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/prolactin-15129?page=2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolactin http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/prolactin-15129 http://www.healthline.com/health/prolactin https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/prolactin/tab/test
what is normal range for prolactin test