Prolactin Levels

The hormone prolactin is released by the pituitary gland. A blood test is performed to measure the amount of prolactin in blood. Prolactin stimulates breast development and milk production in women and it is observed that men and non-pregnant women usually have very low levels of prolactin in their blood.

Reasons For Prolactin Level Evaluation

• Prolactinoma (benign pituitary tumors which make prolactin)
• Galactorrhea (breast milk production that occurs without pregnancy)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Infertility
• Amenorrhea (irregular or no menstrual periods)
• Constant headaches and visual disturbances

Normal Prolactin Levels

Condition	Prolactin
Non-pregnant female	2 to 29 ng/ml
Males	2 to 18 ng/ml
Pregnant women	10 to 209 ng/ml

High Prolactin

In Women
High prolactin levels in women are considered as normal during pregnancy and after childbirth when the mother is nursing. High levels of prolactin are also seen in cases of

• Hypothyroidism
• Kidney dysfunction
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS
• Prolactinomas
• Other pituitary tumors and diseases
• Intense breast stimulation
• Hypothalamic diseases
• Anorexia nervosa
• Stresses from illness, trauma
• Some medications such as estrogen, methyldopa, H2 blockers, phenothiazines, risperidone, metoclopramide, etc.
• High protein meal or exercises can increase the amount of prolactin in blood, temporarily.

In Men
Production of prolactin is influenced by other hormones like dopamine which blocks prolactin; and serotonin and hormones produced by the thyroid, which trigger prolactin release. The role played by this hormone in men is yet not very clear but it is noticed that high prolactin levels in men result in infertility. High prolactin is responsible for dysfunction of testicles which can in turn cause decreased testosterone levels or abnormal sperm count. Elevated prolactin is known as hyperprolactinemia, which can create several problems related to male infertility. Symptoms of hyperprolactinemia include decreased sperm count, impotence, decreased sex drive, and hypogonadism (testes do not produce the required amounts of testosterone).

Hyperactive prolactin cells in the pituitary gland are responsible for excess prolactin in men. These cells grow into a tumor on the pituitary gland which is known as prolactinoma. Some men with excessive prolactin might have enlarged breasts, the condition is known as gynecomastia. Decrease in body hair, fatigue, depression and headaches or vision loss (as the tumor presses against the optic nerve in the brain) can also be noticed as symptoms of prolactinoma.

Thyroid diseases, shingles or some medicines may lead to high prolactin. Dopamine producing medications may be administered to lower the levels of this hormone in blood and to shrink prolactinomas. In some cases, surgery is used to reduce the size of a prolactinoma. If surgery and medications fail to reduce the levels, radiation therapy is used.

If your blood test results show that levels of prolactin are high, then your doctor will suggest going in for testing thyroid function and will inquire about other physical conditions and medications that are known to raise prolactin secretion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help detect pituitary tumors and help determine their size. Your doctor will ask you to repeat MRI scans periodically to monitor tumor growth and check the effects of therapy. So, if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, you need to consult your doctor immediately and check your prolactin levels. Hormonal imbalance can cause serious health complications which can be avoided with prompt and proper treatments.