Prolactin Levels Test

What is prolactin?

Prolactin¹ is a hormone produced by the tiny pituitary gland in the brain. While this hormone has various functions, it plays a vital role during pregnancy and after birth.

It helps develop mammary glands within the breast tissue and regulates milk production for nursing. That’s why levels of prolactin are higher in pregnant women and new mothers. In other cases, it remains low.

Who needs a prolactin blood test?

Higher levels of prolactin, specifically in nonpregnant women, can cause various symptoms. Your doctor may order a prolactin test if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

• Your periods are irregular

• Your periods have stopped

• You’re unable to get pregnant (infertility)

• You have abnormal nipple discharge

Lower-than-normal prolactin levels are a rare occurrence in both nonpregnant and pregnant women. However, if it occurs, you may not have enough milk production after giving birth.

What is the normal prolactin level?

What’s considered normal for prolactin levels depends on the timing of your blood test. It will be drastically different for nonpregnant and pregnant women.

Test timing	Normal range
You are not pregnant	Less than 25 ng/mL2
You are pregnant (at term)	Up to 150 to 300 ng/mL2

What do the prolactin test results mean?

If prolactin levels are out of the normal range, it can indicate health conditions of the glands that regulate their production.

What high prolactin levels may mean (mostly in nonpregnant women)	What low prolactin levels may mean (rare occurrence)
Damage to the hypothalamus Prolactin-secreting tumours (prolactinomas) Hypothyroidism	Damage to the pituitary gland (due to certain infections, diseases, tumours, and autoimmune conditions)

What is the prolactin test price?

In India, the price of a prolactin test ranges between ₹450 and ₹764.

Note: The price of the test may vary depending on your location and the lab you choose.

References

1. Al-Chalabi M, Bass AN, Alsalman I. Physiology, Prolactin.

2. Melmed S, Casanueva FF, Hoffman AR, Kleinberg DL, Montori VM, Schlechte JA, Wass JA. Diagnosis and treatment of hyperprolactinemia: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2011 Feb 1;96(2):273-88.