- Fasting and prep
- Rest before the draw and avoid heavy exercise and breast stimulation beforehand. Some labs prefer a morning draw a few hours after waking. Follow the instructions on your lab order.
- Turnaround
- Usually 1 to 3 days.
- Also called
- prolactin test, prolactin blood test, prl test, milk hormone test
What it measures
The pituitary gland makes prolactin. Pregnancy and breastfeeding raise it normally. Stress, sleep, exercise, nipple stimulation, and a recent meal can bump it up a little. Many medicines raise it, including some antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anti-nausea drugs. Low thyroid function, kidney disease, and benign pituitary tumors (prolactinomas) can also raise it.
Who should consider it
- People with irregular or missing periods
- Anyone with milky nipple discharge outside pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Men with low testosterone or low libido
- People going through fertility testing
How to read your result
- Use the range printed on your report. Ranges differ by sex and lab.
- A mildly high result often comes from stress or the draw itself. Clinicians usually repeat it.
- Some people carry a large, inactive form called macroprolactin that raises the number without causing symptoms. Labs can test for it.
- A high result does not prove a pituitary tumor. Imaging decides that, if needed.
Reference ranges differ between labs. Use the range printed on your own report.
What to do next
Repeat a high result with calm, rested conditions, and review your medicines and thyroid with a clinician. Clearly high levels may lead to a pituitary MRI.
Where to order Prolactin
These sellers include an independent physician order. You pay online and visit a partner lab. Availability, price, and lab network vary, so confirm at checkout.
Private MD Labs
Online lab seller- Order
- Every order reviewed by a physician. Says you pay $1 to start and the rest after results.
- Results
- Secure online portal with plain-English explanations. Says many results arrive overnight.
HealthLabs
Online lab seller- Order
- Online or by phone. No doctor referral or insurance needed.
- Results
- Secure HealthLabs account. Says 1 to 3 business days.
Walk-In Lab
Online lab seller- Order
- Online, no insurance or doctor order needed. Shows a $6 physician fee per order on popular tests.
- Results
- Online account. Turnaround not stated on its homepage.
Quest Health
Lab-run- Order
- Buy online and book a Quest appointment. An independent provider is involved.
- Results
- Online as soon as ready, with an email alert. Provider discussion included at no extra cost.
Seller details come from each seller's own site and can change. Confirm price, lab location, and state availability at checkout.
Ordering several tests? Plan them together · Filter all sellers
Questions people ask
What causes high prolactin?
Pregnancy, some medicines, low thyroid, stress, and benign pituitary tumors are common causes. A clinician sorts them out with your history and repeat testing.
Do men need a prolactin test?
Sometimes. Clinicians check it in men with low testosterone or low libido, since high prolactin can lower both.
Can I order a prolactin test without a doctor?
Yes. Many online lab sellers offer it alone or in hormone panels.
Related tests
- FSH and LHTwo pituitary hormones that drive the ovaries and testes.
- TSHThe first-line check for an underactive or overactive thyroid.
- Free and total testosteroneTotal testosterone plus the unbound, active fraction.
- EstradiolMeasures the main, most active form of estrogen.
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