Prolactin Hormone Test in Kolkata | Home Collection & NABL-Certified Results

Apollo Diagnostics | NABL-Certified Lab | Home Collection Available | Digital Reports on WhatsApp

What is a Prolactin (PRL) Test?

The Prolactin (PRL) test measures the level of the lactogenic hormone produced by your pituitary gland. While its primary role is to stimulate breast milk production after childbirth, balanced prolactin levels are essential for the reproductive health of both men and women. A Prolactin test is a vital diagnostic tool used to investigate hormonal imbalances that may interfere with ovulation in women or testosterone production in men — often serving as a key indicator of pituitary gland function.

⚠ Important: Prolactin levels fluctuate throughout the day and are highly sensitive to stress, exercise, sleep, food and physical stimulation. For the most accurate result blood should be drawn 2–3 hours after waking up in the early morning. Avoid heavy exercise, sexual activity, breast stimulation and emotional stress immediately before the test. Overnight fasting is preferred but not mandatory.

The Importance of Prolactin Screening

Even slight elevations in prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) can have significant clinical impacts:

• Investigating Infertility — High prolactin inhibits GnRH which suppresses FSH and LH, disrupting ovulation in women and testosterone production in men
• Menstrual Irregularities — Diagnoses the cause of absent or irregular periods (amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea)
• Pituitary Health — Screens for prolactinoma, a non-cancerous tumor of the pituitary gland that is the most common cause of significantly elevated prolactin
• Investigating Galactorrhea — Evaluates unexplained nipple discharge in both men and non-lactating women
• Male Reproductive Health — Identifies the cause of low libido, erectile dysfunction, low testosterone or gynecomastia in men

Normal Prolactin Reference Ranges

Category	Normal Prolactin Range
Non-pregnant Women	2.8 – 29.2 ng/mL
Pregnant Women (1st trimester)	Up to 80 ng/mL
Pregnant Women (3rd trimester)	Up to 400 ng/mL
Breastfeeding Women	Highly variable — up to 300 ng/mL
Adult Men	2.1 – 17.7 ng/mL
Prepubertal Children	3.6 – 12.0 ng/mL

Levels above 25 ng/mL in non-pregnant women or above 17.7 ng/mL in men warrant investigation. Significantly elevated levels above 200 ng/mL strongly suggest a prolactinoma.

Causes of High Prolactin (Hyperprolactinemia)

Common causes of elevated prolactin:

• Prolactinoma — most common cause of significantly elevated prolactin (above 100–200 ng/mL). A benign pituitary tumor that produces excess prolactin.
• Medications — antipsychotics, antidepressants, antihypertensives (metoclopramide, risperidone, methyldopa) can all raise prolactin.
• Hypothyroidism — low thyroid hormone causes TRH elevation which in turn stimulates prolactin production.
• PCOS — mildly elevated prolactin is common in PCOS.
• Stress, exercise, sleep deprivation — physiological causes of transient mild elevation.
• Chest wall stimulation or surgery — can trigger prolactin release via nerve pathways.
• Macroprolactinemia — a benign condition where large inactive prolactin molecules give falsely elevated readings.

When is a Prolactin Test Recommended?

Your doctor may recommend a Prolactin test if you experience:

• Irregular, infrequent or absent menstrual periods
• Unexplained infertility in men or women
• Nipple discharge (galactorrhea) when not pregnant or breastfeeding
• Low sex drive or erectile dysfunction in men
• Gynecomastia (breast tissue enlargement in men)
• Headaches or visual disturbances (possible pituitary tumor)
• Low testosterone in men despite normal LH and FSH
• PCOS investigation alongside LH, FSH and testosterone
• Monitoring treatment for a known prolactinoma

What Conditions Does Prolactin Help Diagnose?

• Hyperprolactinemia (elevated prolactin)
• Prolactinoma (pituitary tumor)
• Hypothyroidism (secondary cause of high prolactin)
• Anovulation and infertility
• Amenorrhea (absent periods)
• Galactorrhea (unexplained nipple discharge)
• Male hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction
• Macroprolactinemia
• Pituitary gland disorders

Prolactin Test Price in Kolkata

Prolactin (PRL) Test Price: ₹670
Early morning draw preferred (2–3 hrs after waking)  |  Avoid stress & exercise before test  |  Free home collection above ₹2,000

Tests Commonly Ordered Alongside Prolactin

• Thyroid Profile (TSH) — hypothyroidism is a common reversible cause of elevated prolactin
• LH & FSH — high prolactin suppresses these hormones; ordered together to assess the full reproductive hormone picture
• Testosterone — in men, high prolactin suppresses testosterone; ordered alongside prolactin in low-T evaluation
• Estradiol — in women, ordered alongside prolactin in infertility and menstrual irregularity workup
• AMH — if ovarian reserve needs to be assessed alongside prolactin in infertility workup
• Macroprolactin screening — if prolactin is mildly elevated without symptoms, to exclude benign macroprolactinemia

Home Collection for Prolactin Test in Kolkata

Apollo Diagnostics provides early morning home blood sample collection for Prolactin tests across North and Central Kolkata. Since prolactin is sensitive to stress and time of day, our early 7:00 AM collection slots are ideal. Samples are processed using CLIA technology at our NABL-certified central laboratory.

• Home collection available: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Daily
• Early morning slots from 7:00 AM ideal for prolactin testing
• Avoid stress, exercise and breast stimulation before collection
• Free home collection on orders above ₹2,000
• Digital reports delivered to WhatsApp within 24 hours

📞 Book Prolactin Test via WhatsApp — +91 8660434628

Quick Links

→ Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar → Full List of Individual Tests → Book Home Collection → Full Body Checkup Packages

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the Prolactin test used for?

The Prolactin test measures pituitary hormone levels to investigate infertility, irregular or absent periods, unexplained nipple discharge (galactorrhea), low testosterone and erectile dysfunction in men, and to screen for prolactinoma — a benign pituitary tumor that is the most common cause of significantly elevated prolactin.

Q2. What is the normal Prolactin level?

Normal Prolactin in non-pregnant women is 2.8–29.2 ng/mL. In adult men it is 2.1–17.7 ng/mL. Levels above 25 ng/mL in non-pregnant women or above 17.7 ng/mL in men warrant investigation. Significantly elevated levels above 200 ng/mL strongly suggest a prolactinoma and require an MRI of the pituitary gland.

Q3. Does the Prolactin test require fasting?

Overnight fasting is preferred but not strictly mandatory. The more important preparation is timing and stress avoidance. Blood should be drawn 2–3 hours after waking in the early morning. Avoid exercise, sexual activity, breast stimulation and emotional stress immediately before the test as these can temporarily elevate prolactin and give a falsely high result.

Q4. What is the Prolactin test price at Apollo Diagnostics Kolkata?

The Prolactin test price at Apollo Diagnostics is ₹670. We use CLIA technology for accurate hormonal measurement. Home collection is available free on orders above ₹2,000.

Q5. What is a Prolactinoma and how is it diagnosed?

A prolactinoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor of the pituitary gland that produces excess prolactin. It is the most common pituitary tumor. Symptoms include irregular or absent periods, infertility, nipple discharge, headaches and visual disturbances. It is suspected when blood prolactin is significantly elevated (typically above 100–200 ng/mL) and confirmed by an MRI of the pituitary gland. Most prolactinomas are small (microadenomas) and respond well to medication.

Q6. Can medications cause high Prolactin?

Yes. Many commonly prescribed medications can elevate prolactin including antipsychotics (risperidone, haloperidol), antidepressants, metoclopramide (an antiemetic), methyldopa (blood pressure medication) and some antihistamines. Always inform your doctor of all medications you are taking before a Prolactin test as medication-induced hyperprolactinemia is a common and reversible cause of elevated levels.

Q7. Can high Prolactin cause infertility?

Yes. Elevated prolactin suppresses GnRH which in turn reduces FSH and LH — the hormones needed for ovulation in women and testosterone and sperm production in men. This leads to anovulation, irregular periods and infertility in women, and low testosterone, reduced sperm production and erectile dysfunction in men. Treating the underlying cause of high prolactin usually restores fertility.

Q8. Is home collection available for Prolactin test in Kolkata?

Yes. Apollo Diagnostics provides early morning home blood sample collection for Prolactin tests across Dum Dum, South Dum Dum, Nagerbazar, Satgachi, Baguiati, Lake Town, Bangur, Kaikhali, Sealdah, Entally, Phoolbagan, Tangra and surrounding areas. Early 7:00 AM slots are available. Book by calling or WhatsApping +91 8660434628.

Q9. How long does it take to get Prolactin test results?

Prolactin test results are typically available within 24 hours of sample collection. Reports are delivered digitally to your WhatsApp or email.

Q10. Which centre processes my Prolactin sample in Kolkata?

All samples collected across North and Central Kolkata are processed at Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar — Nandarani Apartment, 8A Narasingha Avenue, Nagerbazar, Dum Dum, Kolkata 700074. Our lab is NABL-certified and ISO-certified, using CLIA technology for hormone testing.