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Three-marker pituitary panel covering prolactin, LH, and FSH to assess reproductive hormonal signalling and elevated prolactin causes.
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A targeted three-marker panel measuring prolactin, LH, and FSH to investigate pituitary function, irregular periods.
Prolactin is a pituitary hormone primarily known for stimulating breast milk production, but it has significant effects on reproductive function in both women and men. Even outside of pregnancy and breastfeeding, elevated prolactin (hyperprolactinaemia) is a common and frequently missed cause of irregular periods, infertility, unexplained galactorrhoea, reduced libido, and in men, erectile dysfunction and testosterone suppression.
This panel pairs prolactin with LH and FSH — the two pituitary hormones that govern ovulation and sperm production. Together, these three markers reveal the pituitary’s contribution to reproductive hormonal status. Elevated prolactin suppresses gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn lowers LH and FSH — creating a pattern of secondary hypogonadism that responds to prolactin-lowering treatment rather than hormone replacement.
Common causes of elevated prolactin include benign pituitary adenomas (prolactinomas), certain medications (antipsychotics, metoclopramide, domperidone, opioids), hypothyroidism, and physiological triggers such as stress, recent meals, and sexual activity. This panel is suitable for both men and women. Venous draw required; morning collection preferred. GMC-physician reviewed results within 3 to 5 working days.
Understand what each marker measures, why it matters, and what the science says — not just a list of numbers.
Pituitary hormone that stimulates lactation; elevated outside pregnancy and breastfeeding can suppress LH, FSH, and reproductive function.
Pituitary signal for ovulation in women and testosterone production in men; suppressed by elevated prolactin.
Pituitary hormone for follicle development in women and sperm production in men; contextualises LH and prolactin together.
This panel is designed for adults who want a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of their metabolic health — not a GP referral panel.
Women with irregular or absent periods and no other obvious cause
Those experiencing unexplained nipple discharge outside of pregnancy
Men with low libido, erectile difficulties, or gynaecomastia
Anyone on antipsychotic, antiemetic, or opioid medications with fertility concerns
Prolactin is highly sensitive to physiological stress, including stress from the blood draw itself, recent meals, sexual activity, and intense exercise. A single elevated result should always be confirmed with a repeat test taken under optimal conditions (rested, fasted, collected 60 to 90 minutes after waking). This panel does not include thyroid markers, which are an important secondary cause of hyperprolactinaemia and should be tested in parallel if not recently assessed. It does not include MRI imaging, which is required to exclude a prolactinoma in cases of confirmed persistent hyperprolactinaemia. Please discuss significantly elevated results with your GP before drawing conclusions.
From order to physician-reviewed report in as little as three working days.
Three options designed to fit your schedule, location, and preference — all producing a laboratory-standard sample.
Adults 18+ in mainland UK. Not suitable if you have had a transfusion in the last 3 months.
Order anytime; kit dispatched within 24 hours Mon–Fri.
Allow 24–48 hours for sample transit on top of lab processing time.
Adults 18+ within 20 miles of a serviced city centre.
Mon–Sun, 06:00–20:00. Next-day booking typical.
Sample reaches the lab within 24 hours of collection.
Adults 16+ with photo ID. Paediatric draws by appointment at selected sites.
Mon–Fri, with Saturday hours at most metropolitan locations.
Samples processed same-day at the receiving clinic.
Every test is processed in a UKAS ISO 15189-accredited laboratory, overseen by GMC-registered physicians, and governed by UK GDPR. No overseas processing, no offshore data.
Follow these guidelines to ensure accurate, reproducible results. Most markers are sensitive to recent food, exercise, and sleep.
Can't find your answer? Our clinical support team is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
Contact supportProlactin is one of the stress-responsive hormones — it rises acutely in response to physical stimuli (venepuncture, pain, exercise) and psychological stress. This is thought to be part of the body’s acute stress response and has no clinical significance in isolation. However, it makes single-reading prolactin interpretation unreliable — a mildly elevated result from a stressed blood draw cannot be distinguished from truly elevated prolactin from a pathological cause. That is why a repeat test under rested conditions is always required before pursuing further investigation of elevated prolactin.
The most common causes of elevated prolactin (hyperprolactinaemia) in non-pregnant individuals include: medications (antipsychotics such as haloperidol and risperidone, antiemetics such as metoclopramide and domperidone, opioid painkillers, and some antidepressants); benign pituitary tumours called prolactinomas; hypothyroidism (which raises TRH and secondarily stimulates prolactin); chronic kidney disease; and physiological stressors during the blood draw itself. Identifying whether the cause is medication-related, glandular, or physiological is essential for guiding treatment.
Yes. Elevated prolactin suppresses gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the hypothalamus, which reduces the pituitary’s output of LH and FSH. Lower LH and FSH mean that ovulation may not occur in women (anovulation) or that testosterone production is suppressed in men (secondary hypogonadism). In women, this manifests as irregular or absent periods, low oestradiol, and infertility. In men, the result is low testosterone, reduced libido, and impaired sperm production. When the cause is a prolactinoma, medical treatment (typically cabergoline) normalises prolactin and can restore fertility without surgery.
Yes, though less commonly. Men can develop hyperprolactinaemia from prolactinomas, medications, or hypothyroidism, and symptoms include reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, gynaecomastia (breast tissue growth), and infertility. Because testosterone production is suppressed by high prolactin, men with low testosterone on blood tests may have prolactin as the underlying driver rather than primary testicular failure or hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. Identifying and treating elevated prolactin in men can restore testosterone and sexual function without requiring testosterone replacement therapy.
Macroprolactin is a large, biologically inactive form of prolactin that circulates in some individuals without causing symptoms. Standard prolactin assays measure all prolactin forms, including macroprolactin, which can produce a falsely elevated total prolactin result. If your result is elevated but you have no symptoms of hyperprolactinaemia, your GP may request a macroprolactin test to determine whether the elevation is due to this biologically inert form. This is an important step before ordering imaging or starting medication based solely on an elevated prolactin value.
Your physician report will indicate the degree of elevation and its clinical implications. Mild elevation (up to around 1,000 mIU/L) is often physiological or medication-related and warrants a repeat test and medication review. Moderate to significant elevation (1,000 to 5,000 mIU/L) warrants GP referral for assessment, thyroid testing if not done, and consideration of pituitary MRI. Very high levels (above 5,000 mIU/L) are highly suggestive of a macroprolactinoma and require urgent specialist endocrine referral. Please do not delay seeking medical assessment if your result is significantly elevated.
