A serum prolactin (PRL) level is obtained in response to a specific clinica
l presentation, including symptoms of hyperprolactinemia (such as amenorrhe
a and galactorrhea); serum PRL measurement may also be performed as part of
an infertility evaluation. An initial level above the normal range should
be followed by a repeat level from a blood sample drawn in the morning with
the patient in a fasting state. The medical history and a few laboratory t
ests can eliminate the most common physiologic and pharmacologic causes of
hyperprolactinemia, including pregnancy, primary hypothyroidism and treatme
nt with drugs (such as neuroleptics) that reduce dopaminergic effects on th
e pituitary. In the absence of such causes, radiologic imaging of the sella
turcica is necessary to establish whether a PRL-secreting pituitary adenom
a or other lesion is present. The vast majority of patients are treated med
ically, with dopamine agonist drugs. Surgery is reserved for the patient wi
th the uncommon tumor that does not respond to medical therapy or has a lar
ge cystic component or for the occasional patient who cannot tolerate dopam
ine agonists or who experiences pituitary apoplexy.