A prolactin test measures the amount of prolactin in the blood. Prolactin is a hormone produced by a pea-sized organ at the base of the brain called the pituitary gland.
Prolactin is often detected in high levels in people who are pregnant or just after childbirth. People who are not pregnant usually have low levels of prolactin in the blood.
A prolactin test may be ordered to help diagnose symptoms caused by prolactin levels that are too high or too low. Doctors may also order testing if they suspect a tumor in the pituitary gland called a prolactinoma.
The purpose of a prolactin test is to measure the level of prolactin in the blood. The test can help a doctor diagnose certain health conditions and monitor patients with a type of pituitary tumor called a prolactinoma.
Diagnosis is testing to determine the cause of a patient’s symptoms. Doctors may order a prolactin test as part of the diagnostic process when a patient has symptoms that suggest a prolactin level that is higher or lower than normal.
Monitoring is observing a health condition or a person’s response to treatment over time. Doctors use prolactin testing to monitor patients who have a prolactinoma. Testing is performed during treatment to understand how well the treatment is working. Prolactin levels may also be tested periodically after treatment is finished to see if a prolactinoma has come back.
What does the test measure?
This test measures the amount of prolactin in a sample of blood. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It plays a role in breast development and the production of breast milk in women or anyone with ovaries. In men or anyone with testes, the normal function of prolactin is not known.
The pituitary gland is part of the body’s endocrine system, which is a group of organs and glands that make hormones. The hormones produced by the pituitary gland impact how many parts of the body function and regulate other components of the endocrine system.
In this way, abnormal levels of prolactin in the blood can alter the release of other hormones and cause a range of different health effects.
When should I get a prolactin test?
A prolactin test is usually ordered as part of the process of evaluating patients who have symptoms that could suggest an increase in prolactin levels. Elevated prolactin can interfere with the function of the ovaries and testes, which may cause the following symptoms:
- Infertility
- A change in sex drive
- Breast milk production that is not related to pregnancy or childbirth
- Erectile dysfunction
- Irregular menstrual cycles
Postmenopausal patients who have vision changes or heachaches may also have testing to check for elevated prolactin levels and a possible prolactinoma that is pressing on nearby structures in the brain.
If you have been diagnosed with a prolactinoma, you may have your prolactin levels checked throughout treatment to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. After you complete treatment, your doctor may continue to measure your prolactin levels for a period of time to see if the tumor has come back.
You can talk with your doctor about whether a test to check your prolactin levels is appropriate. Your doctor can explain why they may order the test and what the results may mean for your health.
All in all,a early diagnosis for prolactin is necessary for health life. Our company have this test and we major in IVD field for years. I am sure we will give you best suggestion for the rapid screen test. Welcome to contact us for more details of Prolactin test kit.
Post time: Oct-19-2022