Chughtai Lab Prolactin Test and Price Details
What is prolactin?
Prolactin (also known as lactotropin and PRL) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain. Hormones are chemical messengers in your bloodstream that regulate the activity of particular cells or organs.
Prolactin plays a crucial role in maintaining the healthy functioning of your body. It facilitates a variety of daily bodily functions, such as the formation of blood vessels. However, its primary function is to instruct breast tissue to grow throughout pregnancy and produce milk after birth. It also helps ensure the breast milk includes all the required nutrients for a baby.
There is no known specific function of prolactin in men. Prolactin levels are occasionally examined in men to look into issues with pituitary tumors or reproductive health.
What is a prolactin test?
A prolactin test (also known as PRL test or prolactin blood test) measures the amount of prolactin present in a blood sample. Prolactin levels rise during pregnancy and after childbirth to enable the production of breast milk. Therefore, pregnant women and new mothers typically have high levels of prolactin.
Prolactin levels are typically low in women who are not pregnant and in men. However, you may have elevated prolactin levels even if you are not pregnant. High amounts of prolactin can affect anyone.
What might cause your prolactin level to rise?
Prolactin naturally increases during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Additionally, the levels may slightly and momentarily rise as a result of the following activities:
- Exercise
- Eating a meal
- Physical stress, like pain
- Sexual activity
- Nipple stimulation
- Injury to the chest area
- Seizures
Symptoms of high prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia)
Your prolactin levels may remain excessively high for a long time due to certain diseases and drugs. We refer to this as hyperprolactinemia. The most common cause is a pituitary tumor, or prolactinoma.
Typical symptoms of hyperprolactinemia include:
- Infertility
- Decreased sex drive
- Milky discharge from your nipples (galactorrhea)
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Erectile dysfunction or impotence in men
Why is a prolactin blood test performed?
Typically, prolactin levels are assessed for:
- Diagnosing pituitary tumor (prolactinoma)
- Determine the cause of irregular or no menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
- Finding the cause of breast milk production unrelated to childbirth (galactorrhea)
- Finding the cause of decreased sex drive (libido) in men and women
- Identifying erection problems in men (erectile dysfunction)
- Determining the cause of infertility in women
- Monitoring a known prolactinoma
Why do I need a prolactin blood test?
If you are experiencing symptoms that might be due to elevated prolactin levels, you might need to have your prolactin levels tested. The symptoms differ for men and women.
Symptoms in women
- Changes in menstruation (irregular periods or absence of periods)
- Breast milk production without pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Nipple discharge
- Infertility
Whether or not you have had menopause—the time when your periods stop, usually around age 50—will also affect your symptoms.
Symptoms in men
- Nipple discharge
- Erectile dysfunction/impotence
- Enlarged breasts (gynecomastia)
- Decreased facial and body hair
- Low sex drive
Symptoms due to prolactinoma (pituitary tumor)
Other symptoms may also be present in both men and women if they have prolactinoma-related elevated prolactin levels. If left untreated, a prolactinoma can enlarge to the point where it presses against the brain and pituitary gland, which may result in:
- Headaches
- Vision changes
What are the normal prolactin levels?
The range of normal serum prolactin levels varies slightly depending on the person’s gender and a woman’s pregnancy status.
The normal prolactin levels are:
- Men: 2.5 – 27.0 ng/mL
- Nonpregnant women: 5.2 – 27 ng/mL
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: 80 to 400 ng/mL
The normal ranges of prolactin levels may differ slightly across labs. Review the normal value ranges in your lab report. If you have any questions about your results, consult your healthcare professional.
What happens during a prolactin test?
A medical expert will use a tiny needle to draw blood from a vein in your arm. Following the insertion of the needle, a small volume of blood will be drawn and collected in a test tube or vial. The needle’s entry and exit may cause a slight prick. The procedure takes no more than five minutes.
How to prepare for a prolactin blood test?
Your provider will inform you if you need to prepare for your test. Before your test, it may be necessary to fast for a few hours, meaning you should not eat or drink anything.
The amount of prolactin fluctuates throughout the day. The typical time to take your blood sample is three to four hours after you wake up to ensure accuracy.
Vitamins and medications may impact prolactin levels. Thus, be sure to disclose all medications to your healthcare professional. However, you should never discontinue taking any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Are there any risks associated with the test?
A blood test carries minimal risk. You may experience some pain or bruising at the site of needle insertion, but most symptoms subside rapidly.
What do the results mean?
Your healthcare provider will take into account your symptoms, sex, medical history, and the outcomes of any further tests you have done to interpret the results of your prolactin levels test.
Higher-than-normal serum prolactin levels
Elevated prolactin levels in men and nonpregnant and nonbreastfeeding women may indicate conditions, including:
- Prolactinoma or another pituitary disorder.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).
- Kidney disease.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women
- A disease of the hypothalamus (the brain region that regulates the pituitary gland and other body functions.)
Your doctor will typically prescribe additional blood tests to diagnose the cause if your findings indicate elevated prolactin levels. You may also need to undergo an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan to look for tumors in your pituitary gland if they believe you may have a prolactinoma.
The cause determines the treatment of high prolactin levels. Usually, medication is prescribed. Some pituitary tumors may require surgery.
Prolactin levels that are higher than usual do not always indicate a medical problem that requires medical attention. Protein-rich diets and some medications can raise levels. Even everyday activities such as eating and exercising can slightly increase prolactin levels.
Lower-than-normal serum prolactin levels
Prolactin levels below normal are uncommon, but they could indicate a pituitary condition. A woman may not produce enough milk to breastfeed after giving birth if she lacks enough prolactin. Usually, this is the sole sign of abnormally low prolactin levels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I book a prolactin test at Chughtai Lab?
You can book a blood (or serum) prolactin test online through Chughtai Lab’s web portal, mobile app, or Aap Ki Sehat Ka Number – 03-111-456-789. At Chughtai Lab, we provide a hassle-free testing service for patients at home. Moreover, if you are looking for a prolactin test near me, reach out to your nearest Chughtai Lab outlet. To know the price of the tests and other information, feel free to contact us.
2. What is the prolactin test price in Pakistan at Chughtai Lab?
The Chughtai lab prolactin test price is 2500/- PKR. However, the price of prolactin tests in Pakistan may vary in different labs.
3. Can I view my prolactin test results online?
Yes, you can check the results of your tests via the Chughtai Lab mobile app and WhatsApp. We update our clients via message when their reports are ready.
4. Does Chughtai Lab provide a home sample collection facility for the prolactin test?
Yes, Chughtai Lab provides the facility of home sample collection for the prolactin tests.