Test Directory
4219 Prolactin
Specimen Type
Specimen Stability
Reference Range
Serum-SST
7 days 2-8° C
See Report
Specimen Requirements
Preferred amount: 1.0 mL Serum
Minimum amount: 0.5 mL Serum
Minimum amount: 0.5 mL Serum
Method
Immunchemiluminometric
Schedule
Mon-Sat
Turn-Around Time
24hrs; Also offered STAT at an additional charge
Instructions/Notes
Centrifuge required?: Yes
Clinical Utility
During pregnancy and postpartum lactation, serum prolactin can increase 10- to 20-fold. Exercise, stress, and sleep also cause transient increases in prolactin levels. Consistently elevated serum prolactin levels (>30 ng/mL), in the absence of pregnancy and postpartum lactation, are indicative of hyperprolactinemia. Hypersecretion of prolactin can be caused by pituitary adenomas, hypothalamic disease, breast or chest wall stimulation, renal failure or hypothyroidism. A number of drugs, including many antidepressants, are also common causes of abnormally elevated prolactin levels. Hyperprolactinemia often results in galactorrhea, amenorrhea, and infertility in females, and in impotence and hypogonadism in males. Renal failure, hypothyroidism, and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas are also common causes of abnormally elevated prolactin levels.
CPT Codes
84146
