Prolactin
A mild rise is often temporary.
Prolactin is the pituitary hormone that controls milk production. The typical upper limit is about 25 ng/mL in non-pregnant women and about 20 ng/mL in men; limits vary by lab.
| Situation | Effect on prolactin |
|---|---|
| Stress, sleep, meals, exercise | Temporary, mild rise |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Expected rise |
| Some drug classes (e.g. antipsychotics) | Can raise it |
| Underactive thyroid | Can raise it |
| Pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma) | Usually very high; above about 100 ng/mL |
- Endocrine Society — Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperprolactinemia (2011)
General information only; not diagnosis or treatment. Review your results with your clinician.
