Reference ranges
| Women, non-pregnant | 4 – 23 ng/mL |
| Men | 3 – 15 ng/mL |
| Pregnancy | Much higher — expected |
| Markedly raised | Above 100 ng/mL warrants imaging |
Reference ranges vary between laboratories and methods. Always read your result against the range printed on your own report.
Seek care urgently if
- Headaches with visual field loss — possible pituitary mass
- Milk discharge in a man
- Sudden severe headache with a known adenoma
- Absent periods with severe headache
What a high result can mean
Medication
Antipsychotics, some antidepressants and metoclopramide are frequent causes.
Pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma)
A benign pituitary tumour — the reason very high levels are imaged.
Underactive thyroid
Raises prolactin indirectly and is easily excluded.
Stress or recent breast examination
Can raise it modestly — a repeat sample settles it.
PCOS
Mildly raised prolactin is common.
What a low result can mean
Rarely significant
Have your result in front of you?
Send us the value and we will tell you whether it needs an appointment or not. No account, no form.
Ask about my Prolactin resultNothing is stored on this website.
What happens next
A mildly raised prolactin is repeated before acting, ideally rested and without recent breast stimulation. Thyroid function is checked alongside, and very high levels lead to pituitary imaging.
Prolactin Test Thyroid Function Test Hormonal AssayOther results people look up
This page explains what a result can mean in general terms. It is not a diagnosis and cannot account for your history, medication or examination. All visits to Mascot Healthcare are by appointment — Mon–Sat, 9AM–5PM, 52 Sholanke Street, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.