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Prolactin

Test Summary

During pregnancy and postpartum lactation, serum prolactin can increase 10- to 20-fold. Exercise, stress, and sleep also cause transient increases in prolactin levels. Consistently elevated serum prolactin levels (>30 ng/mL), in the absence of pregnancy and postpartum lactation, are indicative of hyperprolactinemia. Hypersecretion of prolactin can be caused by pituitary adenomas, hypothalamic disease, breast or chest wall stimulation, renal failure or hypothyroidism. A number of drugs, including many antidepressants, are also common causes of abnormally elevated prolactin levels. Hyperprolactinemia often results in galactorrhea, amenorrhea, and infertility in females, and in impotence and hypogonadism in males. Renal failure, hypothyroidism, and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas are also common causes of abnormally elevated prolactin levels.

Aliases

  • Lactogenic Hormone
  • Prolactin Evaluation

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Instructions

Barrier tubes (serum separator tubes or plasma separator tubes) are preferred. If non-barrier tubes are utilized, the serum/plasma must be removed immediately after centrifuging and placed in a screw-cap transfer tube.

Collection notes: Avoid hemolysis. Invert tubes at least 8 times. Allow to clot in an upright position for 30 minutes. Within 2 hours, centrifuge tubes 10 minutes. Keep tightly stoppered.

Do NOT re-centrifuge tubes. Do NOT freeze the primary collection tube.

Patient Preparation

N/A

Storage

Original tube preferred, may be sent in a screw-top transfer tube.

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature or Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

  • Room Temperature = 5 days
  • Refrigerated = 14 days
  • Frozen = 6 months

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma from Lithium Heparin (Light Green Top) tube

Unacceptable Specimens

Hemolysis, Lipemia, incorrect specimen type, insufficient sample volume, improper storage conditions, exceeds specimen stability guidelines, contaminated sample.

Order Code

PROL

EPIC (Premier) Code

LAB340

Includes

N/A

CPT Code

  • 84146

Billing Code

  • 300358

CPT Statement

CPT Statement

Methodology

Immunoassay (IA)

FDA Status

FDA Approved

Physician Attestation of Informed Consent

N/A

Testing Laboratory

CompuNet Clinical Laboratories, LLC
2308 Sandridge Drive
Moraine OH, 45439

Department

Chemistry

Reference Range

See Report

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

24/7; Report available: Daily

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Instructions

Barrier tubes (serum separator tubes or plasma separator tubes) are preferred. If non-barrier tubes are utilized, the serum/plasma must be removed immediately after centrifuging and placed in a screw-cap transfer tube.

Collection notes: Avoid hemolysis. Invert tubes at least 8 times. Allow to clot in an upright position for 30 minutes. Within 2 hours, centrifuge tubes 10 minutes. Keep tightly stoppered.

Do NOT re-centrifuge tubes. Do NOT freeze the primary collection tube.

Patient Preparation

N/A

Storage

Original tube preferred, may be sent in a screw-top transfer tube.

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature or Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

  • Room Temperature = 5 days
  • Refrigerated = 14 days
  • Frozen = 6 months

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma from Lithium Heparin (Light Green Top) tube

Unacceptable Specimens

Hemolysis, Lipemia, incorrect specimen type, insufficient sample volume, improper storage conditions, exceeds specimen stability guidelines, contaminated sample.

Billing

CPT Code

  • 84146

Billing Code

  • 300358

CPT Statement

CPT Statement

Result Information

Methodology

Immunoassay (IA)

Testing Laboratory

N/A

Reference Range

See Report

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

24/7; Report available: Daily