PROLACTIN

Male : 

• 2.1 - 17.7 ng /ml

Females :

• Normal Menstruating : 2.8 - 29.2 ng /ml
• Pregnant : 9.7 - 208.5 ng /ml
• Post menopausal : 1.8 - 20.3 ng /ml

• Prolactin is a polypeptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary under the control of prolactin inhibiting factors. These factors are secreted by the hypothalamus. Prolactin is also synthesized by the placenta and is present in amniotic fluid.
• Prolactin initiates and maintains lactation in females . It also plays a role in regulating gonadal function in both males and females. During pregnancy and lactation , serum prolactin can rise to 10 to 20 fold . Prolactin secretion is pulsatile and also shows diurnal variation, with the serum concentration increasing during sleep and lowest 3 hours after walking.
• Prolactin is useful in the evaluation of Hypogonadal syndrome, Evaluation of a case of amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea, in a work up of a patient of hypothyroidism, in the differential diagnosis of a case of impotency in men ,Diagnosis of pituitary tumours especially microadenomas

• When a person has s/s of Prolactinoma, such as unexplained headaches, visual impairment, and/or unexplained nipple discharge
• When a woman is experiencing infertility or irregular menstrual periods
• When a man has symptoms such as libido, breast discharge ,infertility or low testosterone level

Physiological:

• Stress
• Sleep
• Exercise
• Pregnancy
• Nursing

Pathological

• Prolactinomas
• Other pituitary tumours and disease
• Hypothalamic disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Kidney disease
• Chest wall trauma or irritation
• Medication- related (estrogens, tricyclic antidepressants, metoclopramide, reserpine, methyldopa, H2 blockers)
• Euroleptics, antipsychotic drugs, Dopamine antagonists, Estrogens and oral contraceptives, Amphetamines, lsoniazide

• Hypopituitarism
• Postpartum pituitary necrosis (Sheehan's Syndrome)
• Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
• Drugs: Dopamine agonists and Ergot derivatives