Serum Prolactin in Bangalore
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.
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References
- Al-Chalabi M, Bass AN, Alsalman I. Physiology, Prolactin [Internet]. Treasure Island, Florida: StatPearls Publishing; Jan. 2023. [Accessed 21 Aug. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507829/
- Utiger R. Prolactin [Internet]. Britannica; 14 Jul. 2023. [Accessed 21 Aug. 2023]. Available from: https://www.britannica.com/science/prolactin
- Prolactin [Internet]. ScienceDirect; [Accessed 21 Aug. 2023]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/prolactin
- Freeman ME, Kanyicska B, Lerant A, et al. Prolactin: Structure, Function, and Regulation of Secretion. Physiological Reviews. 2000;80(4):1523-1631. [Accessed 21 Aug. 2023]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.2000.80.4.1523
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