High prolactin (hyperprolactinaemia) is one of the most common — and most treatable — hormonal causes of infertility and irregular periods in Lagos women. A morning blood test identifies the problem, opening the door to simple, effective treatment.
Prolactin is the "milk hormone" — essential during breastfeeding, but a problem when elevated outside pregnancy. High prolactin is one of the most actionable hormonal findings in Lagos women presenting with infertility or menstrual disruption.
Spontaneous milk discharge from the nipple outside pregnancy or breastfeeding is called galactorrhoea — it is driven by high prolactin. In Lagos women, this is frequently the first noticed symptom of an underlying prolactinoma. It affects both women and, less commonly, men (in whom it signals significant hormonal disruption).
Prolactinoma is the most common pituitary tumour — benign and highly treatable with cabergoline or bromocriptine. Prolactin >200 ng/mL in a Lagos patient without another explanation usually indicates a prolactinoma requiring pituitary MRI. Treatment shrinks the tumour and restores fertility in over 90% of Lagos women.
Many Lagos medications raise prolactin as a side effect — antipsychotics (haloperidol, risperidone, chlorpromazine), metoclopramide (Maxolon), domperidone (Motilium), and some antihypertensives. Drug-induced elevation typically remains below 200 ng/mL and resolves when the medication is changed.
Prolactin is highest in the morning after sleep and rises acutely with stress, food, exercise, and breast stimulation. Arrive at our Lagos laboratory before 10 AM, sit quietly for 30 minutes before your blood is taken. This eliminates acute stress-elevation that could produce a false-positive result.
Write down all medications, especially antipsychotics (haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine), metoclopramide (Maxolon), domperidone (Motilium), and any antidepressants or antihypertensives. Drug-induced elevation is very common in Lagos and completely changes the clinical interpretation.
Avoid breast/nipple stimulation for 24 hours before testing — it acutely releases prolactin. Also avoid intense exercise the evening before. Sexual activity 24 hours prior can also transiently raise levels. These simple steps ensure your Lagos prolactin result reflects true baseline.
Our chemiluminescent immunoassay measures prolactin to the same standard used in Lagos teaching hospitals — essential for accurately identifying the 30–200 ng/mL range where clinical decision-making is most sensitive.
Our reports include sex-specific reference ranges and interpretive comments — flagging when repeat sampling is advisable versus when clinical escalation (pituitary scan) is indicated for Lagos patients.
We accommodate the resting protocol that makes prolactin results meaningful. Lagos patients arrive, sit in our waiting area, and are sampled after 30 minutes — not rushed to a chair immediately on arrival.
52 Sholanke Street, Akoka — accessible from Lagos Island, Lekki, Yaba, and Ikeja. Open Mon – Sat 9 AM – 5 PM. WhatsApp booking recommended for early morning resting slots.
"Had galactorrhoea for eight months — two Lagos clinics dismissed it. Mascot ran a prolactin: 340 ng/mL. MRI confirmed a microadenoma. Started cabergoline. Six months later: prolactin normal, periods back."
Walk in or book ahead. Located at 52 Sholanke Street, Off Chemist Junction, Akoka, Lagos.
Monday – Saturday · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Closed Sundays & Public Holidays