Hormones

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay

Patient Preparation

None

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube (SST/Tiger Top)

Alternate Specimen

1.0 mL plasma collected in a plasma separator tube (PST/Pearl Top)

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (ship on frozen cold packs)

Male:

• Normal Range: 4.0 – 15.2 ng/mL

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that has many functions including milk production after pregnancy and maintenance of the immune system.

 

• Abnormally high prolactin can delay puberty, interfere with ovulation and fertility in women, and decrease libido, erectile function, and fertility in men.
• Elevated prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) may be due to a variety of medical conditions and medications. A benign tumor in the pituitary gland called a prolactinoma is one possible cause.