Prolactin Test Price in Pakistan - Chughtai Lab
Prolactin (PRL) blood test, also written as Serum Prolactin or S. Prolactin. Checks the prolactin hormone for infertility, irregular periods, and unexpected milk discharge. Free home sampling.
The prolactin test measures the level of prolactin (PRL), a hormone made by the pituitary gland. It is most often ordered to investigate infertility, irregular periods, unexpected breast milk discharge, and pituitary problems. The prolactin test price in Pakistan at Chughtai Lab is Rs. 2,900, with free home sample collection. Because prolactin changes during the day, the best time to test is about 3 to 4 hours after waking.
What is the prolactin test?
Prolactin (also known as lactotropin and PRL) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. Its main role is to help women produce breast milk after childbirth. Both men and women have prolactin in their blood, usually in small amounts.
A prolactin test is a simple blood test that measures how much prolactin is in your blood. When prolactin is too high, it can interfere with the menstrual cycle, fertility, and sexual function. The test helps your doctor find the cause of these problems and check the health of the pituitary gland.
On prescriptions and lab reports the test is often written as Serum Prolactin, S. Prolactin, S Prolactin, or PRL. These all mean the same blood test. In Urdu, people sometimes ask what the prolactin test means (prolactin test kya hota hai) when this hormone is written on a fertility or hormone prescription.
Prolactin test names and full form
The prolactin test is written by several names on prescriptions and lab reports. All refer to the same blood test:
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Prolactin | The common name for the test |
| PRL | Short form used on most lab reports |
| Serum Prolactin | Means the test is done on blood serum, the same test |
| S. Prolactin / S Prolactin | Short way of writing Serum Prolactin, the same test |
| Lactotropin | Another name for the prolactin hormone |
Free home sample collection across Pakistan. A trained phlebotomist visits you at your chosen morning time, which is ideal for an accurate prolactin sample.
Book Home Sample Call 03-111-456-789When and why is a prolactin test done?
Doctors order a prolactin test to help find the cause of several problems, including:
- Difficulty getting pregnant (infertility) in women and men
- Irregular, absent, or light menstrual periods
- Breast milk discharge when not pregnant or breastfeeding (galactorrhea)
- Low sex drive or erectile difficulty in men
- To check the pituitary gland and detect a benign growth called a prolactinoma
- To monitor treatment for a known high-prolactin condition
Symptoms that may need a prolactin test
You may need a prolactin test if you have:
- Irregular or missed periods without pregnancy
- Trouble conceiving
- Unexpected milk discharge from the breasts
- Headaches or vision changes (which can occur with a pituitary growth)
- Low libido, in both men and women
Prolactin test for females and males
Prolactin test for females
In women, the prolactin test for female patients is most often done to investigate irregular or missed periods, difficulty getting pregnant, and milk discharge from the breasts when not breastfeeding. A high prolactin level is a common and treatable cause of these problems and is also checked in a PCOS or fertility workup.
Prolactin test for males
In men, the prolactin test for male patients is used to look into low sex drive, erectile difficulty, infertility, and possible pituitary problems. High prolactin in men can lower testosterone, so the doctor may check both together.
How to prepare and the best time for a prolactin test
The amount of prolactin in your blood changes throughout the day, so timing matters. The typical time to take your sample is 3 to 4 hours after you wake up, which is why most prolactin tests are done in the morning. Your provider may also ask you to fast for a few hours.
Because stress, exercise, nipple stimulation, and even a recent meal can temporarily raise prolactin, try to rest before the test. Tell your provider about any vitamins and medicines you take, as some can raise prolactin levels.
Procedure and how long results take
A medical expert will use a tiny needle to draw blood from a vein in your arm. After the needle is inserted, a small volume of blood is collected in a test tube or vial. The needle going in and out may cause a slight prick, and the procedure takes no more than five minutes. If you choose home sampling, a phlebotomist visits your address at a morning time that suits you.
You will receive an SMS when your report is ready, and you can view it online through the Chughtai Lab app or web portal.
Prolactin normal range
Prolactin is measured in nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL). Normal levels differ between men, women, and pregnancy, and they also vary by laboratory method. The general ranges below are a guide only.
| Group | General normal range (ng/mL) |
|---|---|
| Adult men | About 4 to 15 |
| Non-pregnant women | About 4 to 23 |
| Pregnant women | Much higher, often 30 to 200 or more |
The prolactin normal range for female patients (non-pregnant) is generally about 4 to 23 ng/mL, and the prolactin normal range for male patients is about 4 to 15 ng/mL. Ranges may differ slightly across labs and methods. Always review the normal value range printed on your own Chughtai Lab report, and if you have any questions about your results, consult your healthcare professional.
What does a high prolactin level mean?
A high prolactin level is called hyperprolactinemia. It does not always mean a serious problem, but it tells your doctor where to look. Common causes include:
- Stress, exercise, or a recent meal before the test
- Certain medicines, including some used for blood pressure, acidity, and mental health
- An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- A benign growth on the pituitary gland called a prolactinoma
In women, high prolactin can cause irregular periods, infertility, and milk discharge. In men, it can cause low libido and erectile difficulty. Because an underactive thyroid can raise prolactin, your doctor may also advise a thyroid function test. If your level is high, the test is often repeated, since stress alone can raise it temporarily.
Prolactin with FSH, LH, and TSH
Prolactin is often ordered together with other hormones as part of a fertility or hormone profile, especially for women with irregular periods or trouble conceiving. A common combination is FSH, LH, TSH, and prolactin. FSH and LH check the ovaries or testes, TSH checks the thyroid (an underactive thyroid can raise prolactin), and prolactin checks the pituitary hormone. Booking them together in one home visit is convenient and is often what a doctor requests for a hormonal workup.
To check the thyroid alongside prolactin, see the thyroid function test. For the full panel price, contact Chughtai Lab on 03-111-456-789 or book online.
Prolactin test price at Chughtai Lab Pakistan
The Chughtai lab prolactin test price is 2900/- PKR. However, the price of prolactin tests in Pakistan may vary in different labs. At Chughtai Lab, the price is clear and fixed, with no extra charge for home sample collection, backed by a CAP-accredited central lab.