What is AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone)?
AMH is a hormone produced by reproductive tissues. This test is used, among other things, to evaluate ovarian function and IVF chances. It is the most reliable test of time-to-menopause.
Why test AMH?
Testing anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is important for several reasons. For women concerned about fertility, AMH levels help evaluate ovarian function and estimate egg reserve. In IVF treatment, an AMH test, along with other hormone tests, can assess how likely you are to respond to the treatment. Additionally, for women with suspected polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), AMH levels can be elevated due to the increased number of follicles, making it a useful diagnostic tool.
What causes low AMH?
Negative to low levels of AMH are normal in females who are not of childbearing age. An AMH level that is lower than expected may suggest low egg reserve, poor egg quality or indicate that the ovaries are not functioning normally. Women’s AMH levels naturally decline as they get older, so in younger women, this may be a sign of premature low fertility. This may result in a reduced response to IVF treatment.
Recent research has shown that women with low AMH levels (less than 0.7ng/ml don’t have a significantly lower chance of getting pregnant in 12 months than women with ‘normal’ hormone levels. This may be because egg quality is more important than egg quantity. AMH levels are however strongly tied to time until menopause, so this test can determine whether a woman is at risk for early menopause. It may also help detect, alongside other tests, other potential reproductive problems such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Low AMH or a significant decline in AMH may suggest the imminent onset of menopause. Raised AMH may be seen with PCOS but is not used to diagnose PCOS. It could even signify likely increased responsiveness to IVF and a need to monitor or alter treatment.
AMH level also directly affects IVF success and egg freezing because both are reliant on the number of eggs doctors can retrieve from the ovaries. A low AMH means that you may respond less to treatments.
What causes high AMH?
Raised AMH may be seen with PCOS but is not used to diagnose PCOS. It could even signify likely increased responsiveness to IVF and a need to monitor or alter IVF treatment.
A higher AMH level means you have more eggs than is normal for your age. It may make it easier for you to get pregnant using IVF and increase the success of egg freezing. There is no guarantee, and age appears the most important factor.
More information
AMH can be taken at any time of the month because, unlike other female hormones, AMH does not fluctuate with a woman's monthly cycle. AMH is unaffected by oral contraceptives and pregnancy.
Preparations for your blood test
No preparation is needed for this test.
On the day of the test
Remember to take your ID with you when going to take a test.