Test Detail
Understanding the Test
Test Measures
FAQ's
City Price Info
Home Collection
References
Other Tests
Content created by
Written by
Dr. Shreya Gupta
BDS, MDS - Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Reviewed by
Dr. Ashish Ranjan
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Want to know more?
Read our Editorial Policy

Serum Prolactin near me in Bangalore

Also known as PRL test, Prolactin blood test
You need to provide
Blood
This test is for
Male, Female
Test Preparation
  1. Overnight fasting is preferred.

Understanding Serum Prolactin in Bangalore


What is Serum Prolactin in Bangalore?

Serum Prolactin test measures the level of prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, in the blood and is available at an affordable price in Bangalore with Tata 1mg labs. Prolactin plays a key role in breast growth and milk production during pregnancy and after childbirth. Therefore, its levels are usually high in pregnant women and new mothers.

Serum Prolactin test helps identify the causes of abnormal breast discharge, menstrual irregularities, infertility, erection problems, and testicular failure. Higher-than-normal levels in non-pregnant women and men indicate prolactinoma (tumor of the pituitary gland), liver disease, or hypothyroidism. In contrast, lower-than-normal levels may indicate hypopituitarism. Some birth control pills, high blood pressure drugs, or antidepressants can affect the test results.

What does Serum Prolactin measure?

A Serum Prolactin test measures the levels of prolactin hormone in a person’s body. During pregnancy, prolactin, estrogen, and progesterone hormones stimulate breast milk development. Following childbirth, prolactin helps initiate and maintain the breast milk supply. If a woman does not breastfeed, her prolactin concentration will soon drop back to pre-pregnancy levels.

Besides pregnancy, the most common cause of elevated prolactin concentration is prolactinoma, a prolactin-producing tumor of the pituitary gland. Prolactinomas are the most common type of pituitary tumor and are usually benign (non-cancerous). They develop more frequently in women but are also found in men.

If the pituitary gland and/or the tumor enlarge significantly, it can put pressure on the optic nerve, causing headaches and visual disturbances, and can interfere with the other hormones that the pituitary gland produces.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Serum Prolactin in Bangalore


Frequently Asked Questions about Serum Prolactin in Bangalore

Q. What are some of the causes of increased prolactin levels?

Some common causes of increased prolactin levels are sleep (levels rise rapidly during sleep and peak in early hours), nursing, breast stimulation, exercise, hypoglycemia, emotional stress, exercise, ambulation, protein ingestion, hypothyroidism, pituitary tumors (prolactinomas and others), hypothalamic/pituitary stalk lesions, renal failure, HIV infection (21%), CHF, SLE, advanced multiple myeloma, Rathke cleft cyst, and intake of drugs like dopamine antagonists (phenothiazines, haloperidol, risperidone, reserpine, methyldopa, estrogens, opiates, cimetidine).

Q. What are some of the causes of decreased prolactin levels?

Some of the causes of decreased prolactin levels are pituitary necrosis/infarction, use of some drugs like bromocriptine, levodopa, etc., and conditions like pseudohypoparathyroidism.

Q. Is there any risk associated with a Serum Prolactin test?

There is usually no risk associated with this test. However, some people may feel a slight sting when a needle is pricked to collect a blood sample and may experience some bleeding that is normal and usually not bothersome. Rarely, some people may also experience slight swelling or bruising at the site of the needle prick. Applying ice 3-4 times a day for about a week may help reduce swelling and bruising. If it does not get better, consult your doctor.

Q. What happens if the test results show a low prolactin level?

If your prolactin levels are below the normal range, this could mean your pituitary gland is not functioning properly. This is known as hypopituitarism. Lower levels of prolactin usually do not need any medical treatment.

Q. What are the symptoms of prolactinoma in both men and women?

The symptoms of prolactinoma that are seen in both men and women include reduced bone density, loss of interest in sexual activity, headaches, visual disturbances, and infertility.

Q. I got my prolactin levels tested. Now, my doctor has advised me for a thyroid test. Why is it so?

In many patients, high levels of prolactin may be seen due to low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism). Therefore, you may be asked to get your thyroid tests done. However, high levels of prolactin do not cause low levels of thyroid hormones.

Q. Do I need additional tests along with Serum Prolactin?

Your doctor may advise additional tests depending on your situation. If your prolactin levels are high, an imaging test called a magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI) may be advised to rule out a prolactinoma. Also in women, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) tests may be performed to help evaluate ovulation and fertility issues. A few other tests such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and electrolytes may also be ordered to check thyroid and kidney functions. An eye examination may also be performed to evaluate visual disturbances.
+ more

Serum Prolactin test price for other cities


Price inAgraRs. 300
Price inAhmedabadRs. 300
Price inAllahabadRs. 300
Price inAmritsarRs. 300
Price inBhopalRs. 300
+ more

Book a Serum Prolactin test at home near me

Easy online booking
Search for tests and packages, book a time and select address for seamless at-home lab tests.
Live tracking of phlebotomist
Stay informed with live tracking of our phlebotomist's location for seamless sample collection.
Safe collection
Our phlebotomists follow strict safety protocols to collect samples at home on time.
Sample received at lab
Your sample is bought to our laboratory for testing by our qualified experts.
Quick reports, free follow up
Reports are sent to your email. A free doctor follow up is provided to understand the report better

Provided by 1 Lab


INDIA’S LARGEST HEALTHCARE PLATFORM

260m+
Visitors
31m+
Orders Delivered
1800+
Cities
Get the link to download App
Reliable

All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies. All labs listed on the platform are accredited

Secure

Tata 1mg uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption and is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant

Affordable

Find affordable medicine substitutes, save up to 50% on health products, up to 80% off on lab tests and free doctor consultations.

Know more about Tata 1mgdownArrow

Access medical and health information

Tata 1mg provides you with medical information which is curated, written and verified by experts, accurate and trustworthy. Our experts create high-quality content about medicines, diseases, lab investigations, Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products, Ayurvedic herbs/ingredients, and alternative remedies.

Order medicines online

Get free medicine home delivery in over 1800 cities across India. You can also order Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and other Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products. Your safety is our top priority. All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies.

Book lab tests

Book any lab tests and preventive health packages from certified labs and get tested from the comfort of your home. Enjoy free home sample collection, view reports online and consult a doctor online for free.

Consult a doctor online

Got a health query? Consult doctors online from the comfort of your home for free. Chat privately with our registered medical specialists to connect directly with verified doctors. Your privacy is guaranteed.