AMH Testing – What is it?

More women are presenting asking the significance of the test, “AMH” or sometimes referred to as Ovarian Reserve test.  So what is it exactly?

Antimullerian hormone is produced in the ovary from embryo until menopause and has become accepted as a good indicator of the number of follicles or eggs present. The ability to carry out this test at any time of cycle, whether on the contraceptive pill or not and give an accurate result makes this a very useful test.

Normal egg numbers decrease with age so AMH is reported as both a definite number but also as a reference range for that particular age.

Decreased AMH levels are indicative of decreased ovarian reserve, independent of age and should be discussed with me. It is a test now used to predict the dose of fertility drugs to use on each patient.

The bigger question comes with women who have not tried their fertility yet and do a test showing lower AMH.  This woman comes asking how much longer do I have? At present all the testing has been performed within fertility units and it is still not known the standard levels of AMH in the unselected population.

So if undergoing fertility management, a low AMH is suggestive of poor reserve and if more children are wanted it would be appropriate to discuss freezing embryos for the future.

Ovarian Reserve (AMH) Test

Ovarian Reserve (AMH) Test

If you are not undergoing fertility management and have a low AMH, I would advise trying to become pregnant soon and if not successful then make an appointment to discuss fertility management options.

Our nurse can discuss this test with you and answer any of your questions.