Prolactin – PRL

A test performed from blood to determine the level of the prolactin hormone.

Prolactin is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland. With increased concentrations, prolactin triggers lactation (unilateral or bilateral), loss of menstruation, and infertility in women, as well as impotence and hypogonadism in men.

Elevated values require extended diagnostics of the pituitary gland. They may be caused by the following drugs:

• antiemetics and agents stimulating intestinal peristalsis (metoclopramide),
• ovulation inhibitors,
• neurolepticsi,
• eoestrogens,
• agents reducing arterial blood pressure.

Decreased values indicate insufficiency or necrosis of the pituitary gland or the use of dopamine agonists (in Parkinson’s disease). Prolactin deficiency is rare – its only symptom is excessive milk production after birth.

Required preparation a few days before the test:

On the day of the test:

• The test involves the collection of blood into a test tube; first, according to the blood collection procedure, the skin is disinfected and a tourniquet applied, and afterwards, it is necessary to apply pressure onto the collection site for a few minutes.
• The blood collection procedure takes approximately a dozen or so seconds.
• WIn the event of improper preparation for the blood test, the results will not be fully reliable.
• Blood should be collected in the morning, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
  • Do not drink alcohol for 2-3 days before the test.
  • Refrain from drinking coffee and tea for at least 12 hours before blood collection.
  • If possible, eliminate any sources of stress.
  • Patients should be on an empty stomach, which means that no meals can be consumed for about 12 hours before the test.
  • They are allowed to drink a small amount of water in the morning hours, but not more than a glass.
  • Where possible, the test should be performed before patients take their morning dose of medicines, unless their physician instructs otherwise.
  • Before the test, patients should remain at rest for 10-15 minutes (in a sitting position).
  • Physical exercise, including moderate effort, such as walking or climbing stairs, may alter the values of laboratory tests.
  • A blood sample for prolactin concentration testing cannot be collected after a gynaecological examination or an examination of the mammary glands, because such procedures may lead to falsely elevated results.

• Test results are available within 3 working days.
• It is possible to collect them at the reception desk of any Medicover Centre.
• The results can be accessed online. To do this, you have to visit the reception desk to generate a password in the Centre of your choice.