Prolactin is a pituitary hormone primarily known for stimulating milk production. Elevated levels can cause infertility, irregular periods, and other hormonal symptoms.
Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. While primarily known for stimulating breast milk production after childbirth, prolactin has many other functions in both men and women.
Elevated prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) is a common cause of infertility and menstrual irregularities in women, and can cause low testosterone and sexual dysfunction in men. Causes include pituitary tumors (usually benign prolactinomas), certain medications, hypothyroidism, and stress.
This test helps investigate unexplained infertility, irregular periods, inappropriate milk production (galactorrhea), low libido, or symptoms suggesting pituitary dysfunction.
Price
$12
Results
1-2 days
Lab Network
Quest
Fasting
Not Required
What's Measured
What This Test Measures
This test measures the concentration of prolactin hormone in your blood, reported in ng/mL. Levels naturally rise during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Who Should Consider This Test
Women with irregular periods or infertility, anyone with unexplained milk production, men with low testosterone symptoms, people with suspected pituitary problems, those on medications that raise prolactin, and anyone with headaches plus vision changes.
Health Insights
Conditions Screened
Related Symptoms
When to Get Tested
No fasting required, but avoid testing right after eating. Ideally test in the morning, at least 2 hours after waking and 1 hour after eating. Avoid breast stimulation before testing. Stress can temporarily elevate prolactin.
Understanding Your Results
Normal levels: Non-pregnant women: 2-29 ng/mL, Men: 2-18 ng/mL, Pregnant women: 10-209 ng/mL. Mildly elevated levels (30-200 ng/mL) often result from medications or stress. Very high levels (>200 ng/mL) suggest prolactinoma.
What to Expect
After placing your order, you'll receive an email from Rupa Health (our lab order partner) within 24 business hours to sign a consent form and schedule your blood draw at a Quest Diagnostics location.
The blood draw typically takes just a few minutes. Results are usually available within 1-2 business days and will appear in your secure Justlabs dashboard.
Our results include reference ranges and easy-to-understand indicators showing whether your values are within normal limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
$12
Typical hospital cash price: $120–$180
+ $28 in standard lab & physician fees at checkout (no additional bills later)
$18 lab collection + $10 physician order
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