What is AMH and What Can It Tell You About Your Fertility?
When you first start looking into fertility treatments, you will quickly learn about AMH and realize explanations about this hormone can get somewhat confusing, and fast.
Understanding what AMH is and what it can tell you about your fertility is one of the most helpful things you can do before your first fertility appointment.
We break down what you need to know about AMH here, what your results can and cannot tell you, and how providers use this number to customize your care.
What Does AMH Mean?
Anti-mullerian hormone is a protein released by cells in small follicles in the ovaries, and because it can be measured in the bloodstream, levels closely correspond with your egg supply.
Your AMH level steadily increases from birth until about age 25, when it gradually starts to decline as your ovarian reserve decreases over time.
AMH levels remain fairly constant throughout your cycle so you can get this blood test on any day of the month.
How Can AMH Levels Tell You About Your Eggs?
A high AMH level means you have a good number of remaining follicles, while a low AMH suggests your ovarian reserve may be low for your age.
But just because you have an elevated AMH level doesn’t always mean higher fertility. Patients with PCOS often have increased AMH levels due to the higher number of small follicles in their ovaries.
While AMH testing only measures quantity, not quality, and age remains the biggest factor affecting egg quality.
What Is AMH and What Can It Tell You About Your Fertility?
Here's the bottom line, AMH testing is one of the most valuable individual tests used when evaluating fertility, but it only tells part of your story.
Low levels do not mean you cannot get pregnant, and high levels do not guarantee that you will.
AMH helps your doctor predict how your ovaries will respond to fertility medications during an IVF cycle, which is why it is now part of every initial infertility workup.
Who Should Get Their Levels Checked?
Anyone starting a fertility workup, planning an IVF cycle, or thinking about egg freezing should get their AMH tested.
It also provides helpful information for patients struggling with recurrent pregnancy loss or repeated IVF disappointments who are curious about their ovarian function.
Women who have had ovarian surgery, chemotherapy, or autoimmune disorders may also see their AMH levels affected.
What to Expect With a Blood Test
Your AMH can easily be tested with no preparation needed on your part. You do not need to fast or do anything different prior to your blood draw.
AMH testing requires only a blood draw. You can get your AMH tested at any point in your cycle since levels remain relatively steady.
Results should be available within a few days, and your provider will discuss them with you in relation to your overall fertility profile.
Your Fertility Treatment is Customized Based on Your AMH Results
Doctors look at AMH alongside FSH, estradiol, and an antral follicle count ultrasound to understand how ovaries will likely respond to stimulation medications.
If your AMH is low your care team may suggest pursuing treatment sooner or discuss options to protect your remaining eggs.
If your levels are high your provider can customize stimulation protocols to help avoid an over response.
Talk to a Doctor Who Understands You and Your Needs, Call to Book Your Fertility Consultation Today!
Your AMH number is just one piece of a much larger picture, and understanding what it means for your specific situation requires a knowledgeable care team.
A fertility consultation in Fairfax County, Virginia, is the best next step for anyone who wants clear answers about their results and a personalized plan built around their body.
Contact us online today or give our office a call at 703-462-8665 to schedule your consultation and find out exactly what your AMH levels mean for your fertility journey.