Prolactin

Prolactin

Test Code

746
84146
746
84146
Not offered in Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute (IFD) – San Juan Capistrano. Please provide SERVICE AREA INFORMATION to find available tests you can order.
In-home collection may be available in your area for purchase through Quest Mobile.

Clinical Significance

Prolactin -

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. ...

Test Resources

Test FAQ

Hypogonadism

Algorithm

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Diagnostic Algorithm

Clinical Focus

Hypogonadism and Low Testosterone in Men: Laboratory Support of Diagnosis and Management

Clinical Focus

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Test Details

Patient Preparation

Overnight fasting is preferred

Methodology

Immunoassay (IA)

Reference Range(s)

Adult Males 2.0-18.0 ng/mL
Adult Females  
  Non-Pregnant 3.0-30.0 ng/mL
  Pregnant 10.0-209.0 ng/mL
  Postmenopausal 2.0-20.0 ng/mL

Stages of Puberty (Tanner Stages)
  Female Observed Male Observed
Stage I 3.6.12.0 ng/mL ≤10.0 ng/mL
Stage II-III 2.6-18.0 ng/mL ≤6.1 ng/mL
Stage IV-V 3.2-20.0 ng/mL 2.8-11.0 ng/mL

LOINC® Codes, Performing Laboratory

Service Area must be determined

Overnight fasting is preferred

Methodology

Immunoassay (IA)

Reference Range(s)

Adult Males 2.0-18.0 ng/mL
Adult Females  
  Non-Pregnant 3.0-30.0 ng/mL
  Pregnant 10.0-209.0 ng/mL
  Postmenopausal 2.0-20.0 ng/mL

Stages of Puberty (Tanner Stages)
  Female Observed Male Observed
Stage I 3.6.12.0 ng/mL ≤10.0 ng/mL
Stage II-III 2.6-18.0 ng/mL ≤6.1 ng/mL
Stage IV-V 3.2-20.0 ng/mL 2.8-11.0 ng/mL
Service Area must be determined

Preferred Specimen(s)

1 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Transport Container

Serum separator tube (SST)

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: 5 days

  • Refrigerated: 7 days
  • Frozen: 28 days

Setup Schedule

Service Area must be determined
1 mL serum
0.5 mL
Serum separator tube (SST)
Room temperature

Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days

Service Area must be determined
Not offered in Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute (IFD) – San Juan Capistrano. Please provide SERVICE AREA INFORMATION to find available tests you can order.
In-home collection may be available in your area for purchase through Quest Mobile.
Test Details

Clinical Significance

Test Resources

Reference ranges are provided as general guidance only. To interpret test results use the reference range in the laboratory report.

The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidance and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payer being billed.

This material contains content from LOINC® (http://loinc.org). The LOINC Table, LOINC Table Core are copyright © 1995-2019, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee and is available at no cost under the license at http://loinc.org/license.

The tests listed by specialty and category are a select group of tests offered. For a complete list of Quest Diagnostics tests, please adjust the filter options chosen, or refer to our Directory of Services.

Customize the test information for your Service Area