What do your prolactin levels mean?
The short answer
Nobody we follow has said what your prolactin should be. It comes up on the shows, but never with a number.
Your lab prints 4.8–23.3 ng/mL. That range exists to catch disease, not to describe your best.
Labs print different ranges by sex: about 4.8–23.3 ng/mL for women and 4–15.2 for men.
What prolactin measures
A pituitary hormone best known for driving milk production.
Outside pregnancy, a high level suppresses the other sex hormones. That puts it on the list in fertility and cycle problems.
Checked against MedlinePlus — Prolactin Levels.
Common questions
What is a normal prolactin level?
Most US labs print 4.8–23.3 ng/mL. Your report grades you against that range. It exists to catch disease, not to describe your best. Labs print different ranges by sex: about 4.8–23.3 ng/mL for women and 4–15.2 for men.
What does your prolactin number mean?
Under 4.8 ng/mL, your report marks it low. Between 4.8 and 23.3 it prints as normal. Over 23.3, your report marks it high. Nobody we follow has drawn a line inside that range. Labs print different ranges by sex: about 4.8–23.3 ng/mL for women and 4–15.2 for men.
What does the prolactin test measure?
A pituitary hormone best known for driving milk production. Outside pregnancy, a high level suppresses the other sex hormones. That puts it on the list in fertility and cycle problems.
Why is there no target here?
Because nobody we follow has named a number for prolactin. If that changes, it will be here.