prolactin

page header

Contents · Introduction · Learning Objectives · Textbook · Lectures · Procedures · Final Exam · Library · Laboratory · Pharmacy · Imaging · Forms · Videos · About · Contact Us>

Prolactin

Prolactin is a hormone, released from the pituitary gland, that stimulates milk production.

Mild elevations of prolactin can follow a breast exam, because breast stimulation provokes increased release of prolactin.

High levels of prolactin are frequently due to a pituitary tumor (microadenoma or macroadenoma) and are often associated with amenorrhea and glactorrhea.

Elevations of Prolactin may be seen in:

Galactorrhea
Amenorrhea
Pituitary malfunction
Hypothyroidism
Renal failure
Pregnancy
Breast-feeding
Stress
Exercise
Nipple stimulation
Drugs (estrogen, tricyclic antidepressents, antihypertensives, etc.)

Normal Values*

Men	<20 ng/ml
Women	2-15 ng/ml
Pregnancy	50-400 ng/ml

*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

This information is provided by The Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates, LLC. is a private organization, not affiliated with any governmental agency. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Brookside Associates or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. All material presented here is unclassified.

Advertise on this site