Definition
What Prolactin measures
Prolactin is a pituitary hormone best known for lactation. Outside that setting it is a common reason a sex-hormone panel looks suppressed.
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HormonesEssentialCompleteng/mL
Prolactin
The pituitary hormone that can quiet the reproductive axis
Illustrative sample band · Synthetic
8ng/mL
0.6Sample target 3–15 ng/mL21
Why it matters
How clinicians usually read it
A high prolactin can lower testosterone or disrupt cycles. Stress, medications, and a non-resting draw also lift it, so one value is a screen.
When it reads low
A lower value can mean
A lower prolactin is usually uneventful. Isolated low values rarely drive a plan on their own.
When it reads high
A higher value can mean
A higher prolactin can come from medications, stress, nipple stimulation, hypothyroidism, or a pituitary source. Repeat and context come before conclusions.
Questions for a clinician
Bring the number into a real conversation
01
Could a medication or a non-resting draw explain this?
02
Should we repeat it before imaging or further workup?
03
How does this sit next to my TSH and sex hormones?
Educational boundary
Educational information only. Displayed ranges are illustrative sample bands, not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for the contracted laboratory report and a qualified clinician.
See it as a sample result
The sample dashboard shows an illustrative reading, target band, and trend for Prolactin.