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Trusted to do 100,000+ tests and consultations per month.
Trusted to do 100,000+ tests and consultations per month.
Prolactin Blood Test

 


PROLACTIN BLOOD TEST

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£39.00
£39.00 - £39.00
£39.00
£39.00 - £39.00
1 BIOMARKER
1-2 DAYS
INSTRUCTIONS
FAQ

This measures the level of prolactin hormone in the bloodstream, which plays a crucial role in milk production during breastfeeding and regulation of reproductive function.

Simple and accurate blood test from a laboratory you can speak to.



STEP 1 - CHOOSE YOUR SAMPLE COLLECTION OPTION
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PROLACTIN BLOOD TEST OVERVIEW

The prolactin blood test measures the level of prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. Prolactin plays a key role in breast development and the production of breast milk after childbirth. While it's most commonly associated with women, both men and women produce prolactin, and abnormal levels can affect a range of bodily functions, particularly those related to reproductive and hormonal health.

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PROLACTIN BLOOD TEST

Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, which plays a crucial role in reproductive and metabolic functions. In females, it stimulates breast milk production and regulates the menstrual cycle.

Prolactin also affects male reproductive health by influencing testosterone production and sperm count.

Besides its reproductive functions, prolactin is involved in regulating metabolism, immune response, and behavior.

Elevated levels of prolactin can lead to health issues such as infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, and decreased libido. 

1 BIOMARKER

  1. HORMONES

    - Prolactin

  2. UPGRADE

    Need more biomarkers? Check out our Female Hormones Blood Test or Male Hormones Blood Test

Most of the biomarkers we offer in the "ready made" panels are also available separately. So if your favourite test panel is missing a biomarker you would like to have, no problem, you can add whatever you need to one of our standard panels using the "Pick-n-mix" options, such as this one.

  1. TURNAROUND TIME

    We are extremely fast, with some results available within hours and others within a working day or less, from the time your sample is in our lab. However, this is not a guarantee and should not be taken as such. This is the guideline turnaround time that can be shorter or longer.


    THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEED TURNAROUND TIME.


    We are extremely proud of our very short turnaround times and a very efficient laboratory processes, you will start receiving results as soon as they are available and have completed clinical validation.


    Whilst we accommodate the shortest of time scales, with some results available within hours, for this particular test the usual turnaround time is: 1-2 working days.

  1. WILL I HAVE A GENERAL EXPLANATION OF MY RESULTS?

    Yes, our doctors put a huge amount of effort into your online Health Dashboard, which will have explanations of what each biomarker is, the normal reference ranges and what it means if you are outside of them.


    This service is included in the price of all our tests.

  1. CAN I SEE A GP TO DISCUSS MY RESULTS?

    Yes, usually the same or next day.


    One Day Tests has a fantastic clinical team of consultants and GPs. Once you have your results you can book an online video consultation to discuss your results.


    Our clinical team consists of practicing NHS and private GPs, who work closely with our laboratory and can tell you what your blood test results mean for you. Having an integrated laboratory and GP services makes your health journey seamless and extremely efficient.


    This service is not included in the price of the test, it is charged separately, should you wish to book it.

DOCTOR'S COMMENTS

Hi, I am Dr. Adam Staten and here's my view on this test as a GP and Clinical Director at One Day Tests.

DR. ADAM STATEN - GP VIEW AND RED FLAG SYMPTOMS

From a GP’s perspective, the prolactin blood test is a valuable tool when investigating symptoms related to menstrual irregularities, fertility issues, or unexpected breast changes. If you’re experiencing things like missed or irregular periods, difficulty getting pregnant, or milky discharge from the breasts (when not pregnant or breastfeeding), this test can help us determine if elevated prolactin might be the cause.

In men, I might recommend a prolactin test if there are signs of low testosterone, such as reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, or even breast enlargement. It’s also a helpful first step in checking for possible pituitary gland issues, especially if symptoms are persistent or unexplained.

Red flag symptoms for the Prolactin Blood Test

Even if your blood tests are normal, you should see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms below because they may be a sign of serious underlying illness. 

  • Progressive muscle weakness
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Progressively severe symptoms of any kind

Your Results and Health Dashboard

The results of your Prolactin Blood Test will be emailed to you as a secured PDF file, ready for your GP and will also be uploaded to our Health Dashboard area of the website. It’s a unique and powerful tool, powered by our in-house clinical analysis research, to match your biomarkers across test panels and symptoms, as well as provide clinical commentary on all individual biomarkers you tested for.

The health dashboard will also provide "panel level" commentary - a birds eye view of the biomarkers that were tested. This feature allows you to view your test results and clinical commentary, and compare them to previous results, giving you a clear understanding of how your health is progressing.

By using the Health Dashboard, you can identify changes in your biomarkers and make necessary adjustments to your lifestyle. This added value is immense, as it empowers you to monitor your health and make informed decisions about your well-being.

It's free and is available with all of our tests.

SAVE ON CONTINUOUS MONITORING WITH OUR SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

The best way to look after your health is to do so regularly. This is easy to do with our continual monitoring plans which give you a discount on future blood tests. You choose the frequency and we'll do the rest.

When you purchase a subscription, we will deliver your home test kits or allow you to book appointments in line with your chosen frequency. You will be able to track your biomarkers over time in our powerful Health Dashboard, where results will be automatically updated for you. There is a minimum of 3 tests with any subscription, after which you can pause/restart/cancel at any time.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Hi, I am Stefania Brown, I am the Laboratory Manager at One Day Tests and here are the lab's special requests for the Prolactin Blood Test.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

There are no special instructions for this test.

Clinic appointment - how to prepare for the Prolactin Blood Test

If you are coming into one of our clinics for the test, this is what you need to do before you arrive:

  • Read the instructions in the SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS section
  • Drink plenty of water about an hour before the appointment.
  • Avoid coffee/tea/energy drinks. Water is good!
  • That’s it! We’ll do the rest.

Home test kit - how it works with the Prolactin Blood Test

Our blood test kits are simple and convenient.

The most important step in doing a blood test at home is to read the instructions very carefully. The process is very simple, but there are a few pitfalls you need to be aware of - you will save yourself a lot of time if you do it right the first time around!

  • Full printed instructions will arrive with your kit - please read them carefully.
  • Drink plenty before taking the sample and warm your hands up in the sink with warm water for a few minutes. This will make your blood flow much better.
  • Fill the tubes to the top line. We don’t need much blood; filling tubes to the top line is about 15 drops of blood.
  • Post the samples on the same day you take them, before midday, Monday to Thursday. If you post it any other time it might get to us late or be stuck at a sorting office over the weekend. You will then have to do it again.
  • Package the sample in the same box the kit came in. Otherwise, Royal Mail or DPD will reject it. The sample tubes go into a pouch, then into a cardboard box, and then into a return envelope. All of this is provided in the kit: please use it.

We look forward to receiving your sample in our lab!

HOW OUR HOME KITS WORK

How the finger prick home blood test kit for Prolactin Blood Test works - from Dr. Adam Staten

Follow our step by step instructions on how to take your sample quickly and easily using the blood sample collection finger prick test.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Hello! My name is Dr. Vinesh Mistry, I am part of the GP team here at One Day Tests and here is why you should trust us to test your blood.

QUICK AND ACCURATE RESULTS DIRECT FROM A LABORATORY.

We run our own regulated laboratories and our own accredited clinics. We manufacture our own approved home sample collection kits. Your results are looked after by our fantastic clinical governance team and our super-talented biomedical science team.

When you book your test with us - you book directly with the lab. This means accuracy and responsible duty of care, direct access to the provider and extremely fast turnaround times.

Finally, our customer services rock! You can ask the lab a question any time or you can speak to a real human. You can email us on hello@onedaytests.com or give us a call on 0127 309 2844.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hi, I am Lana Nela, Lead Nurse, and here is what we are frequently asked about this test.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Prolactin Blood Test.

Can stress or lifestyle affect prolactin levels?

Yes. Stress, lack of sleep, physical exertion, and even nipple stimulation before the test can cause a temporary rise in prolactin levels. That’s why the test is often done early in the morning, and you may be advised to rest beforehand to get the most accurate reading.

What does it mean if my prolactin level is high?

High prolactin levels (hyperprolactinaemia) may be caused by a prolactinoma (a benign pituitary tumour), hypothyroidism, certain medications (like antipsychotics or antidepressants), or chronic stress.

Can men have high prolactin levels too?

Absolutely. While prolactin is commonly associated with women’s health, men can also experience high levels, which may cause reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, or breast enlargement (gynecomastia). The prolactin test is a useful diagnostic tool in men when these symptoms are present.

WHY HAVE THE TEST?

Hi, I am Nader Eldarf, I am a Biomedical Scientist in our laboratory and here is why it's important to take this test.

  1. WHY HAVE THE PROLACTIN BLOOD TEST?

    The prolactin blood test is important because it helps detect hormonal imbalances that can affect your reproductive health, menstrual cycle, fertility, and overall hormonal function.

    Prolactin is primarily involved in breast development and milk production, but abnormal levels, particularly when too high, can signal underlying conditions such as pituitary gland disorders, including prolactinomas (benign tumours), or be linked to thyroid dysfunction, stress, or certain medications.

IS THIS TEST RIGHT FOR YOU?

Hi, I am Sandeep Patel, I am the Laboratory Director at One Day Tests. Here are the symptoms that you may wish to address with this test.

  1. IS THE PROLACTIN BLOOD TEST RIGHT FOR YOU?

    The prolactin blood test may be right for you if you're experiencing symptoms or health issues that suggest a possible hormonal imbalance, particularly related to the reproductive system or pituitary gland. In women, the test is often recommended if you have irregular or missed periods, difficulty conceiving, or unexpected breast discharge (galactorrhoea) when not pregnant or breastfeeding. It can also help assess the cause of menopausal symptoms that appear earlier than expected.



    In men, a prolactin test may be useful if you're experiencing reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, or breast enlargement (gynecomastia), as high prolactin can interfere with testosterone production.

  1. SYMPTOMS AND TAGS

    Chronic fatigue, Erectile disfunction, Fatigue, Hair loss, Lack of libido, Loss of muscle bulk and Low mood

WHY ARE BLOOD TESTS IMPORTANT?

Health monitoring is very important, you are in charge of your health - look after it.