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Test Code PRLC Prolactin

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Plasma

Preferred Specimen: Li-Heparin Mint Green Top

Other Acceptable specimens: Serum/Gold Top, Serum/Red Top

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room Temperature

Not stable

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

6 months

 

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen. 
  • Whole blood/unspun samples greater than 6 hours will be rejected.
  • Samples should be sent refrigerated. 

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours

Reference Values

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Prolactin

All

Female

4.80 - 23.30 ng/mL

Prolactin

All

Male

4.00 - 15.20 ng/mL 

 

Critical Values

Not applicable

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

 

STAT Turnaround Time: 1 hour

Routine Turnaround Time: up to 4 hours

Testing Schedule:  24/7

Clinical Indications

The determination of prolactin is utilized in the diagnosis of anovular cycles, hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea and galactorrhea, gynecomastia and azoo-spermia. Prolactin is also determined when breast cancer and pituitary tumors are suspected.

Test Components

Prolactin

CPT Codes

84146

LOINC Codes

TBD

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) (Roche Diagnostics)

Synonyms/Keyword Search

PRL

Additional Information

Measured concentration is dependent upon when the blood sample was taken, since the secretion of prolactin occurs in episodes and is also subject to a 24-hour cycle. The release of prolactin is promoted physiologically by suckling and stress. Elevated prolactin concentrations are caused by a number of pharmaceuticals (e.g. dibenzodiazepines, phenothiazine), TRH and estrogen. The release of prolactin is inhibited by dopamine, L-dopa and ergotamine derivatives.

 

There is no high-dose hook effect at prolactin concentrations up to 12,690 ng/mL in this assay.

 

This test may be affected by biotin interference. Patients on high dose biotin (5mg/day or more) should not have samples drawn until at least 24 hours after the last biotin administration.

Last Review Date

4/16/2025

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL