Prolactin

Abbreviation

PRL

Preferred Specimen

Serum

Minimum Volume

0.5mL

Collection Instructions

Routine Venipuncture

Transport Container

Draw tube or plastic pour off tube

Transport Temperature

2-8 C (ice packs)

Stability

  • 2-8 C up to 24 hours,
  • 20C up to 12 months

Methodology

CLIA (Chemiluminescent Immunoassay)

Reference Ranges

Men:

  • 87-392 mIU/mL

Women:

  • in reproductive age: 132-498 mIU/mL
  • postmenopausal: 90-392 nIU/mL

Clinical Significance

Elevated levels: during pregnancy and nursing periods, hyperprolactinaemia mostly due to a pituitary amenorrhoea, hypothyroidism or renal insufficiency. In females, is mainly indicated in dysmenorrhoea, galactorrhoea, infertility as well as in pituitary or hypothalamic disease. In males: elevated levels account for loss of libido and impotence, hypogonadism or galactorrhoea