Prolactin

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PRL

The normal values for prolactin are as follows:

• Males: 2 - 18 ng/mL
• Nonpregnant females: 2 - 29 ng/mL
• Pregnant women: 10 - 209 ng/mL

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

Note: ng/mL = nanograms per milliliter

People with the following conditions may have high prolactin levels:

• Chest wall trauma or irritation
• Hypothalamic disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Kidney disease
• Pituitary tumor that makes prolactin (prolactinoma)
• Other pituitary tumors and diseases

Certain medications can also raise prolactin levels, including:

• Antidepressants
• Butyrophenones
• Estrogens
• H2 blockers
• Methyldopa
• Metoclopramide
• Phenothiazines
• Reserpine
• Risperidone
• Verapamil

If your prolactin levels are high, the test may be repeated in the early morning after an 8-hour fast.

Review Date: 10/14/2009
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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