Your Fertility Workup: AMH Test

Glow

An anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test provides information about your egg supply, because AMH is a hormone produced by the egg-producing follicles in your ovaries. 

Why AMH Matters

At the beginning of puberty, women have about 400,000 follicles, and each of these can release an egg during ovulation. However, as women age, the number of follicles decreases, and therefore AMH, so measuring this hormone predicts how many eggs you can make. 

What the Test Involves

This simple blood test is done during your menstrual cycle and can be done along with other necessary hormone testing if the timing is right.

Along with understanding how your other reproductive hormones are factoring in and knowing your antral follicle count (AFC), the AMH can provide a very complete look at your body’s ability to produce healthy eggs. 

Understanding the Results

When looking at AMH results, it is very important to not be "boxed" in. AMH is more a line. There is not really that much difference between a .9 and 1.0 even though the .9 is considered "low normal range." Always discuss your results with your nurse or doctor before jumping to any conclusions. 

AMH Blood Level

High (often PCOS)                Over  3.0 ng/ml

Normal                                Over  1.0 ng/ml

Low Normal Range         0.7 – 0.9 ng/ml

Low                                         0.3 – 0.6 ng/ml

Very Low                         Less than 0.3 ng/ml

Tips & Hints

Please don’t stress about this test! 

As with any blood draw, you should stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water for up to a few days before and right up to the test.

If you’re weary of needles, start by letting the lab tech know! These people are well versed in taking blood, and they understand that some people are extra bothered by it and will be extremely gentle if they know it’s an issue. From there, breathe, look away, and sit very still! You might be tempted to hold your breath, but this won’t help if you’re feeling faint! Looking away and sitting still will distract you while ensuring that you get the least number of pokes possible.

The AMH test is one of a series of tests involved in the infertility workup evaluating a patient for treatment.