Insight into your prolactin level.
Prolactin is a hormone from the pituitary gland, known for breastfeeding, but present in men as well. An elevated level can affect the cycle or libido, and is often temporary in nature.
Also known as: PRL
Personal assessment by our BIG-registered Bloodworks® doctors
By the Bloodworks editorial team
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Background
What is prolactin?
Prolactin (PRL) is produced in the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. The hormone is best known for milk production during breastfeeding, but it is present in everyone, including men. Prolactin acts on the control of the sex hormones: a persistently elevated level can suppress the production of LH and FSH, which can make the cycle irregular or absent, and which in men can reduce libido and testosterone production.
Prolactin is a sensitive hormone. Stress, poor sleep, physical exertion, nipple stimulation, sexual activity, and certain medications can temporarily raise the level. An underactive thyroid can also influence the value. A single elevated result therefore says little, and often calls for a calm repeat measurement. Preferably have your blood drawn in the morning, at rest, and not immediately after intensive exercise. The laboratory supplies the reference values, and our doctor places your result in context.
In brief
Pituitary hormone
Produced in the pituitary gland
Known for breastfeeding
Present in men as well
A sensitive hormone
Stress and exertion raise it temporarily
Repeat test at rest
Customary after an elevated value
This marker is also included in
Testing several values in a single draw takes one blood collection and gives a more complete picture. The choice is yours.
Common reasons to test
When can insight into your Prolactin be valuable?
Below are some situations in which measuring Prolactin can provide insight.
Insight into your prolactin level
A test gives a snapshot of your prolactin at the moment of the blood draw.
With an irregular or absent cycle
An elevated prolactin can disturb the cycle. With questions about the cycle it is therefore often included.
With questions about libido
In both men and women, an elevated level can go together with reduced libido.
With a low testosterone level
In men with a low testosterone level, prolactin is often reviewed as an additional test.
With certain medication use
Some medications can raise the prolactin level. Please state any known medication use at the blood draw.
For a repeat test after an elevated value
After a single elevated result, a calm repeat measurement is customary, in order to rule out a temporary rise.
What your result means
Prolactin too high or too low: what does your value mean?
Depending on the laboratory, prolactin is reported in micrograms per litre (µg/L) or in milli-international units per litre (mIU/L). Because the value is sensitive to stress, sleep, exertion, and medication, the circumstances of the blood draw weigh heavily in the interpretation. Reference values differ between laboratories and methods; the values of the laboratory that performs your test are leading.
A low value
In practice, a low prolactin level rarely prompts follow-up testing and generally has little clinical significance. Our doctor explains what your value means in your situation.
A normal value
A prolactin level within the reference values of the laboratory makes an elevated prolactin less likely as an explanation for your symptoms. It remains a snapshot, but with a calm blood draw it is a useful one.
An elevated value
An elevated value is often temporary: stress, lack of sleep, physical exertion, nipple stimulation, and sexual activity can raise prolactin briefly. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, an underactive thyroid, and certain medications also play a role. If the value remains elevated on a calm repeat measurement, further examination of the pituitary gland may be appropriate. The laboratory can also test for macroprolactin, a form that raises the result without causing symptoms. A single measurement is not a diagnosis, and our doctor explains the possible next steps.
How we interpret your result
Our doctors interpret your prolactin against the reference values of the laboratory, the circumstances of the blood draw, your medication use, and your symptoms. You receive a report in plain language, as a starting point for your own insight or a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Related tests
Often combined with Prolactin.
A single marker gives one perspective. For a broader picture you can combine Prolactin with a theme package or related markers.
+ €29 blood draw fee per orderFree from €225
Frequently asked questions
Everything you want to know
Do I need to fast for a prolactin test?
Fasting is not required. We do advise arriving calmly and sitting down for a few minutes before the blood draw. Preferably have your blood drawn in the morning and not immediately after intensive exercise.
Why can an elevated value be temporary?
Prolactin responds to stress, lack of sleep, physical exertion, nipple stimulation, and sexual activity. These influences can raise the value briefly, without anything being wrong. That is why a single elevated result often calls for a calm repeat measurement.
Do medications affect my prolactin level?
Yes. Certain antipsychotics, some antidepressants, anti-nausea medicines such as metoclopramide and domperidone, and opioids can raise the value. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own; state your use at the blood draw so the doctor can take it into account.
What is macroprolactin?
Macroprolactin is a form of prolactin bound to a protein. It is barely biologically active, but it is included in the measurement and can therefore produce an elevated result without causing any symptoms. With an elevated value, the laboratory can carry out an additional test for it.
Is prolactin also relevant for men?
Yes. In men an elevated value can go together with reduced libido, erectile difficulties, and a lower testosterone level. Prolactin is therefore often included with questions about the male hormone balance.
Does it matter which day of my cycle I am tested on?
Prolactin depends less strongly on the cycle than oestradiol and progesterone. If prolactin is measured together with the other cycle hormones, the point in the cycle does determine the interpretation of those other values. Always state your cycle day at the blood draw.
How often should I measure prolactin?
A single measurement is sufficient for initial insight. With an elevated result, a repeat measurement at rest is customary before any conclusions are drawn.
What do I do with my result?
You will receive a PDF report with your value and an explanation from our doctor. What you do with it, such as discussing it with your GP or taking no action, remains entirely your choice.
What is a normal prolactin level?
The reference values come from the laboratory that analyses your blood. Prolactin is reported in µg/L or in mIU/L, with the reference values that apply there. Those values are leading, and we do not apply reference values of our own. Because prolactin is sensitive to stress, sleep and exertion, the circumstances of the blood draw also weigh in. Our doctor assesses your value in that context.
Which symptoms can fit with an elevated prolactin?
In women, a persistently elevated prolactin can go together with an irregular or absent period, reduced libido and sometimes milky discharge from the breast. In men it can go together with reduced libido and fatigue. These complaints are not specific and can have other causes as well. If they persist, please discuss them with your GP.
Can an elevated prolactin affect getting pregnant?
A persistently elevated prolactin can suppress the production of LH and FSH, which can mean ovulation does not take place and the cycle becomes irregular. Not every elevated result has those consequences, and a temporary rise is common. If you wish to conceive and your cycle is irregular, your GP is the appropriate route for follow-up investigation.
In the Health Guide
Read more about this value
Where do you give blood?
You can give blood at collection points across the Netherlands, usually without an appointment.
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Ready for insight into your prolactin level?
You receive your prolactin level including personal explanation from a doctor, typically within 2 working days. No referral required.
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Combine Prolactin with other markers via Bloodworks Select. The blood draw and collection fee is charged once per order, and is waived from €225.
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