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Alternative names, keywords |
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Samples required |
● Clotted blood (gold cap, 5 mL tube). Avoid stress, note medication on request form. Avoid very early morning samples (may be affected by diurnal variation). Macroprolactin investigations are available if requested. |
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Test indications |
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Factors affecting test performance/ results |
When determining prolactin it should be remembered that the measured concentration is dependent upon when the blood sample was taken, since the secretion of prolactin occurs in episodes and is also subject to a 24 hour cycle. The release of prolactin is promoted physiologically by suckling and stress. In addition, elevated serum prolactin concentrations are caused by a number of pharmaceuticals (e.g. dibenzodiazepines, phenothiazine), TRH and oestrogen. The release of prolactin is inhibited by dopamine, L-dopa and ergotamine derivatives. In case of implausible high prolactin values a precipitation by polyethylene glycol (PEG) is recommended in order to estimate the amount of the biological active monomeric prolactin. Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. > 5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours following the last biotin administration. In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titres of antibodies to analyte-specific antibodies, streptavidin or ruthenium can occur. Results should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient’s medical history, clinical examination and other findings. |
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Reference range |
male: 86 - 324 mIU/L Post-PEG prolactin (to exclude presence of macroprolactin): male: 63 - 245 mIU/L |
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Turnaround time |
Same day (within 2h if urgent), 3 days for post-PEG prolactin. |
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Enquiries |
Biochemistry (Automation) |