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Análisis Médicos

Prolactin, cortisol and pituitary tests

In tests of prolactin, cortisol, the pituitary gland and mineral metabolism, the time of day and the type of sample are part of the question. Some are done on blood; others require night-time saliva, 24-hour urine or several collections.

At Análisis Médicos we have brought together profiles for specific questions. Prolactin and calcium have their own assessments. Cortisol and pituitary tests require a clinical indication, because choosing the wrong method can produce a result that is difficult to interpret.

Prolactin, cortisol and pituitary tests

If you are not sure which one suits you, there is a guide below the list to help you choose.

How it works

You can order our prolactin, cortisol and pituitary tests yourself, and almost all of them without your doctor having to request them:

Price
From €39.00
Prescription
Depends on the test
Appointment
Not needed
Results
1 to 7 working days
  • Your test request, in minutes. Order the profile you want and it arrives in your inbox straight away, with the preparation instructions.
  • Wherever suits you, with no appointment. You can have your test at any of the 45 partner centres, and the laboratory emails you the results within a few days.
  • With an invoice. When you order, you receive an invoice you can submit if you have reimbursement health insurance. How it works, step by step.

How to choose between these hormone tests

This is not medical advice and does not replace a consultation: it is the reasoning I would use to choose, in case it helps you decide which one to order.

To investigate raised prolactin, the prolactin profile uses several samples taken at rest and adds macroprolactin, thyroid function and kidney function.

To investigate abnormal calcium or mineral metabolism, the calcium and PTH profile combines blood with a 24-hour urine collection.

When the question is possible cortisol excess, the options are late-night salivary cortisol, urine free cortisol, the dexamethasone suppression test or a combined saliva and urine assessment. They are different screening tests and all of them require a medical indication.

When the question is possible cortisol deficiency, basal blood cortisol is measured first thing in the morning. It is not suitable for investigating cortisol excess or for measuring everyday stress.

For a broad assessment of the pituitary gland, the pituitary hormone profile brings together several hormone axes and requires a defined clinical question.

Dr. Antonio Mas

With these hormones, when and how they are measured matters

Prolactin can rise temporarily with stress, exercise and breast stimulation. Rest and serial sampling help prevent a one-off rise from being mistaken for a persistent finding.

Cortisol follows a daily rhythm. That is why basal cortisol is measured in the morning, while salivary cortisol is collected at the end of the waking period. Urine reflects excretion over 24 hours and requires a complete collection.

Total calcium depends partly on albumin. PTH, vitamin D, kidney function and urine calcium help assess mineral metabolism from different angles.

Cortisol excess and cortisol deficiency are not investigated in the same way

Cortisol excess is screened for with methods such as late-night saliva, 24-hour urine or dexamethasone suppression. Basal morning cortisol mainly answers the opposite question, a possible deficiency. Ordering one instead of the other completely changes the meaning of the test.

Each method has its interferences and limitations. Corticosteroids, including inhalers, creams and injections, are particularly important and must be reported.

Why some tests require an indication

An unexpected result can start a chain of repeat tests, dynamic tests or imaging. That is why the cortisol and pituitary profiles should not be used as general check-ups or as a way of measuring stress. A prior indication reduces unnecessary tests and makes it possible to choose the right method.

Before the test

The exact preparation depends on the profile and should be checked on its page.

Prolactin: morning sample, fasting, with time to stay at rest before and during the samples.

Calcium and PTH: 8 to 12 hours of fasting and a complete 24-hour urine collection. Do not change calcium or vitamin D supplements on your own.

Cortisol and pituitary: keep to the timing and type of sample. Saliva is collected at bedtime on two nights, and in the 15 minutes beforehand you must not eat, drink, smoke or brush your teeth. The urine profiles require two complete 24-hour collections. The dexamethasone test needs a medical treatment plan and a prescription for the tablet, which is not included when you order the test.

Frequently asked questions

Does high prolactin in a single sample confirm a problem?
Not always. Stress and other circumstances can raise it temporarily. That is why the profile uses rest and several samples and adds macroprolactin.
Can blood cortisol be used to measure stress?
No. A single basal cortisol does not quantify everyday stress. Cortisol tests are chosen according to a specific endocrine question.
What is the difference between high cortisol and low cortisol?
They are investigated with different strategies. For possible excess, tests such as late-night saliva, 24-hour urine or suppression are used. For possible deficiency, the starting point is a morning cortisol.
Can I order the dexamethasone test without a prescription?
The order includes the test request, but not the prescription for the medicine. Dexamethasone must be prescribed by the doctor who indicates and supervises the test.
Are all these tests done with a blood sample?
No. Depending on the profile, blood, late-night saliva, 24-hour urine or a combination of several samples may be required.

If you already have your results

A figure only makes sense in its context. Medical history, symptoms, medication and the conditions of the sample can change what it means. Results are assessed in a consultation; this page is for comparing and ordering profiles.

The laboratory sends you the results directly. You can then review them with the professional of your choice.

The choice between cortisol tests requires a clinical question beforehand.

See prolactin, cortisol and pituitary tests

Guide reviewed by Dr. Antonio Mas, specialist in Endocrinology and Nutrition, Spanish medical licence no. 080846289, in September 2026.

And if you were looking for something else, here are all the blood tests in the catalogue, grouped by topic.