Table of Contents
What level of prolactin is considered high?
How is hyperprolactinemia diagnosed? Simple blood tests to measure the amount of prolactin in the blood can confirm a diagnosis of elevated prolactin levels. Prolactin levels above 25 ng/mL, in women who are not pregnant, are considered elevated.
What if serum prolactin level is high in female?
Excess prolactin can cause the production of breast milk in men and in women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. In women, too much prolactin can also cause menstrual problems and infertility (the inability to get pregnant). In men, it can lead to lower sex drive and erectile dysfunction (ED).
What are the symptoms of too much prolactin?
Symptoms of High Prolactin Levels
- Infertility, or inability to get pregnant.
- Breast milk leakage in people who aren’t nursing.
- Absent periods, infrequent periods, or irregular periods.
- Loss of interest in sex.
- Painful or uncomfortable intercourse.
- Vaginal dryness.
- Acne.
- Hirsutism , excess body and facial hair growth.
Does high prolactin need to be treated?
No treatment may be needed if a cause can’t be found or if the high prolactin level is due to a small tumor in the pituitary gland and the patient is still making estrogen. Women with hyperprolactinemia can still take birth control pills to keep from getting pregnant or make their periods regular.
Is it normal for prolactin levels to be high?
If Your Prolactin Levels Are High. If your value falls outside the normal range, this doesn’t automatically mean you have a problem. Sometimes the levels can be higher if you’ve eaten or were under a lot of stress when you got your blood test.
What is a prolactin test?
A prolactin (PRL) test measures the level of prolactin in the blood. Prolactin is a hormone made by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. Prolactin causes the breasts to grow and make milk during pregnancy and after birth.
What is the best time of day to take prolactin?
The natural levels of prolactin in the body change throughout the day. Levels gradually rise overnight and are at their highest in the morning. Doctors usually ask to take a blood sample 3 to 4 hours after a person has woken up.
What foods should I avoid if I have high prolactin?
Red clover, fenugreek, or fennel can raise your prolactin levels. Avoid eating anything with these ingredients if you find out you have high prolactin levels. In some cases, high prolactin levels can lead to infertility. Prolactinoma tumors can put pressure on your pituitary gland and stop the production of hormones.