Does Fasting Required for Prolactin Test? When is the Best Time to Take It?

Prolactin is one of the six sex hormones, also known as lactogenic hormone, which has a significant impact on physical health. Prolactin can affect human sleep, emotions, and sexual activity. If you feel any symptoms related to prolactin, it is recommended to consult a doctor for prolactin testing. When undergoing prolactin testing, some tests require fasting while others do not. The question is, do you need to fast for prolactin testing?

1. Do you need to fast for prolactin testing? Yes, prolactin testing requires fasting. Prolactin is a polypeptide hormone, and its secretion is pulsatile, varying significantly throughout the day. Its secretion can be affected by various physical conditions such as sleep, emotions, depression, stress, exercise, sexual activity, and eating, resulting in transient elevations in prolactin levels. During dietary intake, especially protein-rich meals, and stressful situations like exercise, prolactin levels can vary even within the same day. Therefore, fasting is necessary for prolactin testing.

2. What is the best time for prolactin testing? The optimal time for prolactin testing is in the morning of the second or third day of menstruation. Fasting venous blood sampling is the most accurate method. Prolactin is a polypeptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It is secreted by specialized cells located bilaterally behind the pituitary gland, sharing the same cellular origin as growth hormone. Elevated prolactin levels are medically termed hyperprolactinemia.

3. What are the symptoms of high prolactin? 3.1 Menstrual disorders such as primary amenorrhea, secondary amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and luteal phase defect. Menstrual disorders can affect female fertility, leading to infertility and habitual abortions. They may also cause decreased libido, hirsutism, and acne in women. 3.2 Galactorrhea refers to the extrusion of milk from the breasts, visible as fat droplets under a microscope. Galactorrhea can be non-tumorous, tumorous, or simple. The breasts are usually normal or may have lobular hyperplasia or gigantomastia. 3.3 Bone loss can occur due to prolonged estrogen deficiency caused by HP, leading to decreased bone density.