Understanding Prolactin: Normal Ranges, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Prolactin (PRL) is a type of polypeptide hormone, which is produced in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located just below the brain. Dopamine (brain chemical) and estrogen (hormone) control the production and secretion of prolactin hormone from the pituitary gland. Actually, prolactin hormone is found in the blood. This hormone is essential for the fertility of men and women. At the same time, it works to produce breast milk in women after the birth of the baby. It is also called lactotropin. Prolactin test is done to know the amount of prolactin hormone in the blood.

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Prolactin test is done to check the level of prolactin hormone. For this, the person has to give a blood sample in the hospital. The result of the prolactin test comes in a few days. Prolactin levels may be high in women who breastfeed or who are pregnant. In contrast, prolactin levels may be lower than normal in boys at birth. Also, prolactin levels may be low in women who are not breastfeeding and are not pregnant. Let us know the normal range of prolactin -

• The normal range of prolactin hormone in men should be 2 to 18 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml).
• The normal range of prolactin hormone in women should be 2 to 29 ng/ml.
• On the other hand, the normal level of prolactin hormone in pregnant women can be 10 to 210 ng/ml.
• In the case of prolactinoma, the level of prolactin hormone can be more than 200 ng/ml. The condition of more than normal production of prolactin hormone in the pituitary gland is called prolactinoma. In this, a non-cancerous tumor is formed.

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Prolactin hormone is found in both men and women. The level of prolactin hormone can decrease or increase in both. There can be different symptoms of increased prolactin hormone in men and women, which are as follows -

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Symptoms Of Increased Prolactin In Women

• Irregular periods.
• Absence of periods is medically known as amenorrhea.
• A state of infertility.
• Discharge of milky fluid from the breast without pregnancy.
• Breast tenderness.
• Symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
• Pain during intercourse.
• Feeling uneasy during sex.

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Symptoms Of Increased Prolactin In Men

• Decreased libido.
• Difficulty in erection.
• Feeling tenderness in the chest.
• Enlargement of chest tissue.
• Discharge of milky fluid from the nipple in severe cases.
• Decrease in testosterone hormone.

Apart from these, headache and trouble in seeing are symptoms that can be seen in both men and women.

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During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the level of prolactin hormone can be high in women, which is normal. Apart from this, there are some other reasons due to which the level of this hormone can be high in both men and women -

• Body pain
• Muscle tension
• Heavy exercise
• Anorexia (eating problem)
• Having physical relations
• Nipple stimulation
• Injury to the chest or around the chest
• Epilepsy attacks

In all these conditions, it is common for prolactin to increase. It becomes normal after some time. Apart from these, there are many other reasons which can cause the increase of prolactin hormone -

• This can also happen due to prolactinoma.
• Some medicines, such as medicines used for depression, psychosis and high blood pressure.
• Some health conditions, such as kidney disease, hypothyroidism or liver disease.
• Diseases affecting the hypothalamus (the part that controls the pituitary gland).

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Increased prolactin hormone after menopause can cause hypothyroidism, because in this condition the body is not able to produce enough thyroid hormone. If the prolactin hormone increases, men and women who are not breastfeeding or are not pregnant may have galactorrhea.

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Tests are done to check the level of prolactin. If the level of prolactin is found to be high in the test, then the doctor may advise to get an MRI done. MRI can be used to see the pituitary gland closely, this helps to find out the exact cause.

In case of prolactinoma, proper treatment can be done with medication or surgery, but treatment is not required in all cases when prolactin hormone increases. In some cases, prolactin levels can be normalized by trying simple home remedies -

• It is important to take a healthy diet to normalize prolactin levels.
• Reducing stress or anxiety can also reduce the level of prolactin hormone.
• Avoid heavy exercise and activity. This can increase prolactin.
• Do not wear clothes that are tight around the chest.
• Do not do activities that stimulate the nipples more.
• Taking a diet rich in vitamin B6 and vitamin E can help reduce high prolactin levels.
• Vitamin E helps prevent the increase in prolactin levels.

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Prolactin is an important hormone for pregnancy and breastfeeding. This hormone is also necessary for better fertility in men. It stimulates the mammary glands. If the prolactin hormone increases in the blood when a woman is neither pregnant nor breastfeeding, then this condition can cause infertility. Therefore, if you feel the symptoms of increased prolactin hormone level, do not ignore them at all and contact the doctor immediately. It is important for the prolactin hormone level to be normal in both men and women.