Prolactin is a hormone, released from the pituitary gland, that stimulates milk production.
Mild elevations of prolactin can follow a breast exam, because breast stimulation provokes increased release of prolactin.
High levels of prolactin are frequently due to a pituitary tumor (microadenoma or macroadenoma) and are often associated with amenorrhea and glactorrhea.
*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.
