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