Pooled - Prolactin
Understanding Pooled - Prolactin
What is Pooled - Prolactin?
Prolactin is a hormone normally produced in both males and non-pregnant females in small amounts. This hormone stimulate milk production (lactation) after childbirth and is therefore, also called the 'milk-producing hormone'.
The levels of prolactin hormone increase during pregnancy and after childbirth, as a natural phenomenon. However, a high level of prolactin is also associated with several disease conditions in both men and women. These conditions include flow of breast milk (galactorrhea) in non-pregnant women, abnormal nipple discharge, absent/ irregular menstrual cycle in women, infertility and pituitary tumors in both men and women.
Pooled Prolactin test is a modified approach of the prolactin test. As prolactin secretion is pulsatile, therefore to improve the accuracy of the results, three samples at 20 to 30 minutes intervals are collected. The sample collection professional may have to be present at your house for 1 hour or more.
What is Pooled - Prolactin used for?
-
To investigate the cause of abnormal breast milk discharge (galactorrhea), menstrual irregularities or infertility in non-pregnant women
-
To evaluate the role of prolactin in case of lactation failure in women after childbirth
-
To investigate the cause of erection problems, testicular failure or abnormal breast discharge in men
-
To investigate the cause of loss of sex drive (libido) in both men and women
-
To detect and monitor the progress of prolactinoma (tumor of the pituitary gland that causes high levels of prolactin) in both men and women
Interpreting Pooled - Prolactin results
Interpretations
High levels of prolactin can be seen in:
-
Tumors of the pituitary gland that produces and releases prolactin (Prolactinoma)
-
Diseases of the hypothalamus (a gland located in the brain)
-
Kidney disease
-
Liver disease
-
Hypothyroidism
-
Polycystic ovary disease (PCOD)
-
Conditions like anorexia nervosa (eating disorder)
Low levels of prolactin can be seen in:
-
Pseudohypoparathyroidism
-
Patients taking bromocriptine
-
Pituitary deficiency like necrosis or infarction of the pituitary gland
Other tests
