Beckman Coulter 33530 Access Prolactin Reagent, 100 Determinations

Description

Beckman Coulter 33530 Access Prolactin Reagent (PRL) for Access prolactin test Specifications:

• Brand: Access Prolactin reagent
• Manufacturer: Beckman Coulter 33530
• Country of Origin: United States
• Application: Reagent, Rental
• For Use With: For Access 2, Unicel DXI, Synchron LXI Systems
• Number of Tests: 100 Tests
• Test Name: Prolactin Test
• Test Type: Reproductive Hormone Assay

Beckman Coulter 33530 Access Prolactin Reagent (Prolactin Test): INTENDED USE

The Access Prolactin assay is a paramagnetic particle, chemiluminescent immunoassay for the quantitative determination of prolactin levels in human serum and plasma (heparin) using the Access Immunoassay Systems.

Beckman Coulter 33530 Access Prolactin Reagent (Prolactin Test): SUMMARY AND EXPLANATION

Prolactin is a single chain polypeptide composed of 198 amino acids with three inter-chain disulfide bonds and a molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. secreted by the anterior cells of the pituitary gland. Prolactin secretion is controlled by the hypothalamus primarily through the release of prolactin inhibiting factor (dopamine) and prolactin releasing factor (serotonin). Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) stimulates PRL secretion and is useful as a provocative test to evaluate PRL reserves and abnormal secretion of PRL by the pituitary.

Beckman Coulter 33530: Prolactin physiological function

The primary physiological function of Prolactin is to stimulate and maintain lactation in women. In normal females, serum PRL levels generally range from 1-25 ng/mL (µg/L) while normal male levels typically range from 1-20 ng/mL (µg/L). Normal Prolactin secretion varies with time which results in serum PRL levels 2-3 times higher at night than during the day. The biological half-life of Prolactin is approximately 20-50 minutes. Serum PRL levels during the menstrual cycle are variable and commonly exhibit slight elevations during the mid-cycle. Prolactin levels in normal individuals tend to rise in response to physiologic stimuli including: sleep, exercise, nipple stimulation, sexual intercourse, hypoglycemia, pregnancy, and surgical stress.

Prolactin is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and is required for normal breast development and lactation in women. Elevated Prolactin levels may be detected during the eighth week of pregnancy with levels continuing to rise throughout gestation. In the absence of breast feeding, Prolactin levels return to normal within three weeks after birth. Abnormally high levels of PRL are often associated with female infertility, impotence and infertility in men, primary hypothyroidism, and pituitary tumors.

Prolactin levels are elevated post-partum and in newborns. Prolactin deficiencies in normal individuals are rare. Pathologic causes of hyper-prolactinemia include: PRL secreting pituitary adenomas (prolactinomas), functional and organic diseases of the hypothalamus, hypothyroidism, renal failure, and ectopic tumors. Elevated levels of PRL may be observed in cases of primary hypothyroidism due to an increased secretion of TRH (stimulates PRL release) accompanied by decreased serum T4 levels and increased serum thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations. Hyper-prolactinemia has also been associated with the inhibition of ovarian steroidgenesis, follicle maturation, and secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone.

What is a prolactin test?

Beckman Coulter 33530 Access prolactin test (PRL) measures the level of prolactin in a sample of your blood. Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. Hormones are chemical messengers in your bloodstream that control the actions of certain cells or organs.

Prolactin affects many body processes. But its main role is to signal breast tissue to grow during pregnancy and make milk for breastfeeding after birth. So, prolactin levels in pregnant women and new mothers are normally high.

In nonpregnant women and men, prolactin levels are normally low.

Beckman Coulter 33530 prolactin test results with higher-than-normal prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia) can affect the body in different ways:

• In women, it can affect how the ovaries work and can cause menstrual problems and infertility.
• In men, it can affect how the testicles work and can cause a lower sex drive and erectile dysfunction (ED). Also known as impotence, ED is the inability to get or maintain an erection.
• In men and women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, it can signal your body to start making breastmilk.

 

 

Beckman Coulter 33530 prolactin test results with higher-than-normal prolactin levels can have different causes:

• Prolactinoma, a benign (noncancerous) tumor growing on the pituitary gland. This is the most common cause. This type of tumor makes prolactin, which leads to higher-than-normal levels of prolactin in the blood.
• Certain medicines.
• Certain health conditions, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), kidney disease, and chest injuries
• Other pituitary gland tumors.

Beckman Coulter 33530 Access prolactin test can’t show the cause of higher-than-normal prolactin levels. But finding out what your levels are can help your health care provider decide which other tests you need to diagnose the cause of your symptoms.

Other names: PRL test, prolactin blood test

What is a prolactin test used for?

A prolactin test is most often used with other tests to help:

• Diagnose a prolactinoma
• 1.Find the cause of irregular menstrual periods
• 2.Find the cause of infertility in men and women
• 3.Find the cause of a man’s low sex drive and/or erectile dysfunction
• Monitor a known prolactinoma to see if:
  • Treatment is working.
  • The tumor has come back after treatment.

Useful Links

Access Prolactin Data Sheet

Prolactin Calibrator: Beckman Coulter 33535 Access Prolactin Calibrator (S0-S5)