The work of most body systems depends on hormonal balance. The slightest deviation from the norm instantly affects well-being and can manifest itself as a minimum of malaise, maximum - endocrine infertility of the male and female population of the planet. To diagnose endocrine infertility, doctors prescribe a blood test for the hormone prolactin. How to pass the analysis, you will learn from this article.
Indications for
Female patients are prescribed this procedure due to menstrual irregularities (frequent delays not related to pregnancy), lack of milk during breastfeeding, and also because of suspected
endocrine infertility. When do men give prolactin? In case of testicular insufficiency, oligospermia, azospermia or
gynecomastia (enlargement of the mammary glands in size). In addition, there are situations when prolactin is given to both women and men. These indications include: galactorrhea (secretion of milk or a similar fluid from the nipples of the mammary glands, not associated with lactation or pregnancy); diagnosis of deviations in the functioning of the pituitary gland; suspected pituitary tumor (visual impairment or chronic headaches); after removal of the tumor from the pituitary gland in order to conduct hormone replacement therapy.
So, when do they give prolactin and how to do it right?
The hormonal background is extremely sensitive to the effects of the external environment on a person, to any internal experiences. That is why you will have to prepare in advance for the analysis. So, a day before the change:
- Do not visit saunas, baths;
- do not drink alcohol and fatty foods;
- exclude intense sports activities;
- protect your nipples from irritation;
- do not have sexual intercourse.
Try to get enough sleep (about 10-12 hours), do not smoke one hour before the procedure. You need to come to the clinic hungry to get an accurate analysis for prolactin. When to rent? The best time is the first 2-3 hours immediately after waking up. For men, there is no particular indication as to when to take the test. However, women should be tested on the 5-7th, or a little later, on the 18-22th day of the cycle.
How is the analysis carried out?
In a blood test, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is used along with additional examinations of its forms. The production of the hormone is regulated by thyroliberin and dopamine receptor blockers. Therefore, in the analysis process, samples with the indicated substances are also used. Thus, prolactin secretion is evaluated and various pathologies and diseases are detected.
Pregnancy
In this special period, the indications of prolactin in women differ by an order of magnitude. Therefore, such analyzes are evaluated according to other criteria. Here, a particular role is played by gestational age, lactation, the phase of the menstrual cycle. Breastfeeding involves an increase in the level of prolactin in the blood of a woman. A large amount of the hormone is released into the bloodstream in the first two trimesters of pregnancy. If the mother refuses to breast-feed, then the prolactin level returns to normal four weeks after delivery. So now you know when prolactin is given. Be healthy!