Test Background Prolactin, a pituitary hormone, is essential for normal lactation following childbirth and is under tonic inhibitory control by dopamine. Hyperprolactinaemia caused by a pituitary adenoma or due to drugs which alter idopamine turnover, can result in infertility due to suppression of gonadal steroids. It also rises in profound stress and has occasional use in confirming epileptic seizures.
Clinical Indications Hyperprolactinaemia (symptoms can include: oligomenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea or infertility in women; hypogonadism, impotence or infertility in men).
Reference Range Male: 60-300 mIU/L Female: 100-500 mIU/L
Sample Required SST (gold top) or serum (red top)
Sample Volume 0.5 mL
Turnaround Time 1 day