Excess prolactin after menopause often causes hypothyroidism. In this condition, the body does not make enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes. You will need to take your test about three to four hours after waking up.
Prolactin levels change throughout the day, but are usually the highest in early morning. Be sure to tell your health care provider about any medicines you are taking. Certain medicines can raise prolactin levels. These include birth control pills , high blood pressure medicine , and antidepressants. There is very little risk to having a blood test.
You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly. If your results show higher than normal prolactin levels, it may mean you have one of the following conditions:. If your results show high prolactin levels, your health care provider may order an MRI magnetic resonance imaging test to get a closer look at your pituitary gland. High prolactin levels may be treated with medicine or surgery. If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.
Rochester, Minn. Accessed Feb. Snyder PJ. Clinical manifestations and evaluation of hyperprolactinemia. Management of hyperprolactinemia. Kasper DL, et al. Anterior pituitary tumor syndromes. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York, N.
Nippoldt TB expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Mayo Clinic; Synder PJ. Accessed March 26, For men, high levels of prolactin can cause erectile dysfunction and low sex drive. This effect in men is because prolactin can stop the testes from producing the hormone testosterone. In some cases, it may cause infertility, but this is rare. High prolactin levels are normal during pregnancy and while someone is breast-feeding. Some medical conditions may raise levels including:.
A doctor will usually ask about medical history and any drugs a person is taking before they do a prolactin level test. If someone has a prolactinoma, medication can usually reduce the size of the tumor.
The medication used to treat high levels can cause side effects, such as nausea and stomach issues. Doctors will only gradually increase the amount of medication they prescribe to a person for this reason. Surgery may be used to treat small tumors. Tumors are usually smaller in females than in males and are often easier to remove. Hormone testing is not classed as an essential health benefit, so there is no legal requirement for an insurance plan to cover it. But every insurance plan is different, and many will cover a prolactin level test.
The cost of the test varies widely, depending on the test provider. Raised levels of prolactin may indicate an underlying health condition. Higher levels are normal in pregnant women and those who are breast-feeding. The test to measure prolactin levels is simple and can help doctors to prescribe the correct medication to reduce levels or provide treatment for an underlying condition that may be causing the raised levels. High prolactin levels can have various causes, including:.
Certain medications can also cause high prolactin levels. These include:. The condition is common. In a random adult sample, around 0. Some people with high prolactin do not have symptoms. When symptoms happen, they may include:. Prolactin can be measured with a blood test. Some outside factors can affect the results.
Prolactin is thought to have a role in sexual satisfaction. If the test shows high prolactin levels, your healthcare provider may want to repeat it. For the second test, you will need to avoid food for at least eight hours. Your healthcare provider may also order a magnetic resonance imaging MRI scan. This test can look for a pituitary growth or tissue damage.
Your healthcare provider may also order blood tests to check the levels of other pituitary hormones. This can help rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms.
High prolactin can be diagnosed with a blood test. In some cases, an MRI or other blood tests may be needed to determine the cause. The goal of treatment is to get the levels back to normal. This can often be done with medications like dopamine agonists. These are medications that stimulate dopamine receptors.
If high prolactin is caused by a pituitary tumor , surgery may be needed.
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