Prolactin: units, conversion and tracking
Updated
Short answer
Prolactin is reported in ng/mL, mIU/L and mU/L. There is no reliable factor between these units, so BiomarkerHQ does not convert between them.
What is prolactin?
A pituitary hormone best known for its role in milk production.
BiomarkerHQ groups prolactin under Hormones. On lab reports it can also appear as prl.
Prolactin units and conversion
BiomarkerHQ stores each prolactin result in the unit printed on the report, and charts and compares results in ng/mL.
Labs also print prolactin in mIU/L and mU/L. There is no reliable conversion between those units and ng/mL, so they are not converted. Keep the unit printed on the report.
Before comparing prolactin results
Tracking prolactin over time
In BiomarkerHQ, each prolactin result is saved with its collection date, its unit and the reference range printed on that report. The timeline charts the results across your draws against the range from each of your own reports, and any two draws can be compared side by side.
- Keep the unit printed on each report. Convert only to compare.
- Keep each report's own range with its result. See why ranges differ between labs.
- Compare the same lab and conditions where you can. See how to compare two blood tests.
Frequently asked questions
Which units do labs report prolactin in?
Prolactin is reported in ng/mL, mIU/L and mU/L. BiomarkerHQ stores each result in the unit printed on the report and uses ng/mL for charts and comparisons.
Can prolactin be converted from mIU/L and mU/L?
No. There is no reliable factor between these units, so BiomarkerHQ does not convert between them. Keep the unit printed on each report, and compare results from the same lab and method.
What should I check before comparing prolactin results?
mIU/L and ng/mL depend on the assay's calibration standard, so they are not converted.
Does BiomarkerHQ interpret my prolactin result?
No. It compares a result only with the reference range printed on your own lab report, as below, within or above, and does not say what the result means. Talk to a qualified clinician about your results.
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