Prolactin
Here’s what it reflects — and what to do about it.
Longetic pulls together every lab and record you’ve had, follows how Prolactin changes over time, and explains what’s shifting — so you walk into your next appointment prepared, with reminders for retests along the way.
What is Prolactin?
A pituitary hormone whose main job is to help breast tissue grow and make milk during and after pregnancy.
Prolactin is made by the pituitary gland and is normally high in pregnancy and breastfeeding but low in men and non-pregnant women. When higher than expected in those groups, it can be associated with a benign pituitary growth called a prolactinoma (the most common cause), certain medicines, an underactive thyroid, or kidney disease, and can affect periods, fertility, and sex drive. Because stress, exercise, meals, and sex can nudge prolactin up temporarily, a single high reading is not a diagnosis and follow-up testing is common.
What to know about Prolactin
Understanding Prolactin means knowing what it reflects, what tends to move it, and the signs that suggest it’s worth a closer look — so you can bring the right questions to your next appointment.
This glossary entry is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our Medical Disclaimer.
References
About our sources
Official sources
Government health agencies, national institutes, and intergovernmental bodies whose guidelines carry regulatory or policy weight.
Clinical / professional
Medical societies, specialty colleges, and professional associations whose consensus statements reflect clinical practice standards.
Peer-reviewed research
Original research articles and systematic reviews published in indexed journals and verified through PubMed or DOI.