APPLICATION: Assessment of patients with a suspected pituitary tumour; investigation of infertility, amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea and impotence.
INTERPRETATION: Increased levels are found in patients with prolactinomas and hypothalmic disorders. Several classes of drugs are known to cause significant elevation of prolactin which can be associated with symptoms. These include the typical and some atypical antipsychotics, some antihypertensives, gastrointestinal drugs, opioids and tricyclic antidepressants. Increased levels occur during normal pregnancy and lactation.
