Prolactin

Lactogenic Hormone

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Having a lot of emotional stress or doing strenuous exercise before the test.
• Trouble sleeping. Prolactin levels are highest during sleep so if you do not sleep well, your levels may be lower than normal.
• Stimulating your nipples.
• Taking certain medicines, such as birth control pills, high blood pressure medicines, tricyclic antidepressants, or medicines for mental illness, such as phenothiazines.
• Using cocaine.
• Having a test with radioactive tracer a week before the prolactin test.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: July 24, 2006
Medical Review:	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.