Prolactin

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Risks

Results

Prolactin

Alternative Names:

PRL

Normal Values:

The normal values for prolactin are as follows:

Males and nonpregnant females: 0 to 20 ng/ml
Pregnancy: 10 to 300 ng/ml

Note: ng/ml = nanograms per milliliter

What abnormal results mean:

Prolactin levels can be elevated in the following conditions:

Prolactinomas (a pituitary tumor that makes prolactin)
Other pituitary tumors and disease
Hypothalamic disease
Hypothyroidism
Kidney disease
Chest wall trauma or irritation
Medication-related (estrogens, tricyclic antidepressants, metoclopramide, phenothiazines, butyrophenones, reserpine, methyldopa, H2 blockers)

If your prolactin levels are elevated, the test may be repeated following an 8-hour fast.

Review Date: 11/9/2004
Reviewed By: Stephanie Fish, M.D., Division of Endocrinology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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