One of the most important allies of a person, controlling the physiological processes in the body, behavior and emotional status, are hormones. There are enough of them, each of which fulfills its function. For women, the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for the reproductive function in the body, regulates the formation of colostrum and normalizes the menstrual cycle and ovulation, is of particular importance.
What is prolactin?
Prolactin, which is called by luteinizing hormone( LH) or mammothropine is a hormone formed in the anterior pituitary gland. For the body, it performs such functions:
- stimulates the growth of the lobules of the glandular tissue of the breast;
- prevents a repeat pregnancy after the newly born birth;
- prepares the child in the womb for the first breath;
- is the main hormone responsible for milk production during the lactation period;
- protects the embryo cells from the mother's aggressive immune system;
- lowers the sensitivity of pain receptors;
- prevents the formation of ovulation with the onset of pregnancy;
- takes part in the water-salt balance and phosphoric-calcium, etc.
Contained in the male population. It affects the reproductive function, namely the spermatogenic function of the testes, activates and normalizes the formation of the testosterone .If there is a violation of the production of this hormone in the body, both the man and the woman will have pathological changes. When they appear, you need to see a doctor and donate blood for a laboratory LH.Along with the luteinizing hormone, basophilic cells of the second row produce follicle-stimulating hormone( FSH), the analysis of which is also given for a complete assessment of the hormonal background.
When to take tests for hormones
These tests are carried out on certain days of the menstrual cycle, because hormones have the property to vary depending on menstruation and pregnancy. It is necessary to know that the analysis of hemorrhagic fluid for prolactin( LH) and FSH is given between the fifth and the eighth day of the menstrual cycle , if it is not possible to select a specific day, it is worth mentioning on the women's calendar the day of the menstrual cycle, when analysis is given anddata to your doctor.
In addition, there are other pathological disorders and diseases in which it is necessary to take an assay for FSH and LH:
- breast swelling and colostrum discharge in a woman who is not in position and does not breast-feed;
- irregular menstrual cycle;
- prolonged headaches of unclear etiology;
- absence of a menstrual cycle with no pregnancy;
- no pregnancy at her attempt for a year;
- deterioration of vision against the background of the listed violations.
Men also need to donate blood for prolactin in such a disorder:
- gynecomastia or an unreasonable increase in the mammary glands in the volume;
- galactorrhea or secretion of colostrum from nipples in a man;
- problems of erectile nature;
- persistent headaches;
- vision impairment.
To get reliable results you need to know when and on what days it is fence and correctly prepare for it.
How to prepare for the
analysis Since LH is most responsible for producing milk while breastfeeding, and along with FSH it is taken during pregnancy and its absence, the doctor, before sending the FSH and LH analysis test, specifies the day of the lastmenstruation and the duration of pregnancy, if it is present. Further recommendations are given for proper preparation before the procedure.
Since prolactin reacts to stimulation and irritation of the nipples, at least 24 hours before donating blood, does not recommend sexual acts .In addition, this hormone is closely related to the emotional background of a person. For two days before the fence, should be avoided to avoid nervous worries and shocks, to exclude the use of alcohol .
No need to go to the sauna, sauna and similar rooms with high air temperature. Before giving blood for analysis, for 8-10 hours is to stop eating, so as not to distort the concentrated level of prolactin. The analysis is given between 8 and 11 o'clock in the morning. In the morning for 3 hours to stop smoking. Before medical manipulation, you can drink unsweetened water without gas.
How is the analysis and interpretation of the results of
performed? After 3 hours after waking up, the medical specialist takes blood from the vein. To do this, a blood sample is taken from a patient's vein using a special medical device into a vacuum container, and the site of the injection is sealed with a patch.
You can get test results the next day. If it is an emergency analysis, then decipherment can be on hand after 4 hours.
Approximate levels of prolactin in the body, in which the stabilization of the hormonal background can be noted, are the digits within 45-527 mU / l .In males, these values can fluctuate within the range between 55-359 mU / l .
Only the specialized medical professional in the field of endocrinology or the reproductive system, for example, a gynecologist or endocrinologist, can evaluate and decipher the results of the tests. Based on the findings, the doctor makes a medical report on the hormonal background, and, if necessary, prescribes additional diagnostics and appropriate treatment. You should not try to decode the analysis data for prolactin , because it is specific in itself, and the results can depend on many accompanying factors right up to the reagent that was used in the laboratory to study blood for hormones.
What can affect the result of the analysis of
The level of FSH and LH in the body is unstable. Indicators can vary depending on what day of the menstrual cycle in women at the time of testing. Pregnancy may also change performance. In addition, the results of tests may vary depending on the presence of diseases and pathological disorders:
- polycystic ovary;
- reception of certain groups of drugs( Ranitidine, Furosemide);
- cirrhosis;
- disorders in hypothalamus and tumors of nearby brain regions;
- reduced functional thyroid function;
- increased physical activity;
- stress;
- abortions.
The above factors lead to an increase in prolactin levels in the body. Decrease in indices can have such circumstances:
- hyperglycemia;
- X-ray therapy;
- reception of certain groups of drugs( Nifedipine, Morphine, Rifampicin);
- apoplexy of the pituitary gland or in another way Shihan syndrome;
- is a pregnant pregnancy.
