Prolactin Levels

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. This hormone is responsilbe for milk production in breastfeeding mothers. Though its production is high in breastfeeding mothers, it is also produced in men and non-pregnant women, in low levels.

Reasons For Prolactin Level Evaluation

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

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 levels in women are considered 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.
• In some cases, high protein meal or exercises

Production of prolactin is influenced by other hormones like dopamine, which blocks prolactin; and serotonin and other hormones produced by the thyroid, which trigger prolactin release. The role played by prolactin hormone in men is yet not very clear, but it is noticed that high levels in men may result in infertility.

High prolactin is responsible for dysfunction of testicles which may 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 may 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 may grow into a tumor on the pituitary gland which is known as prolactinoma. Some men with excessive prolactin might have enlarged breasts, and 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) may also be noticed as symptoms of prolactinoma.

Thyroid diseases, shingles, or some medicines may also lead to high prolactin production. 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 the tumor. If surgery and medications fail to reduce the tumor size, radiation therapy is used.

If your blood test results show that levels of prolactin are high, then your doctor may 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.

The doctor may ask you to repeat MRI scans periodically to monitor tumor growth and check the effects of therapy. So, if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, 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.