Prolactin

Testing Laboratory

Waitematā | Northshore Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

PRL

Test Code (Numeric Code)

4327

Laboratory Handling

Sample Stability

48 hours

Synonyms

Macro prolactin
Monomeric Prolactin
PRL (Prolactin)
Prolactin (Monomeric or Macro)

Turnaround Time

1 day

Available from 08:00am to 04:00pm, 7 days a week

Specimen Type

• Plasma
• Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Preferred if Waitākere

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

• Plain (Red Top)
• SST II (Gold Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Heparin (Microtainer)

Acceptable

• Plain(Microtainer)
• SST(Microtainer)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.4

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.5

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Test Method

Principle: 2-site Sandwich Immunoassay
Reagents: Siemens Atellica IM Prolactin
Analyser: Siemens Atellica IM

Increased levels are found in patients with prolactinomas and hypothalamic disorders, which may be associated with the amenorrhoea-galactorrhoea syndrome.

Macroprolactin is a biologically inactive prolactin-immunoglobulin complex which has no clinical consequences. All samples with a raised total prolactin concentration are routinely tested for the presence of macroprolactin and the level of monomeric (biologically active) prolactin is reported. If the monomeric prolactin is normal, no further investigations for prolactinoma are necessary.

Some drugs cause increased levels, eg, phenothiazines, metoclopramide and oestrogens.
Increased levels occur during normal pregnancy and lactation.

Contact Information