Ovarian Reserve: Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels are measured via a simple blood test at the doctor's office or designated laboratory.

In short, no. AMH levels correspond to the number of eggs you have in your ovarian reserve:

• Higher AMH levels mean more eggs and a higher ovarian reserve.
• Lower AMH levels mean fewer eggs and a lower ovarian reserve.

An AMH test can tell you the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries, which can indicate whether your ovaries might be "aging" too quickly. 

An AMH test may also reveal how well you might respond to injectable fertility drugs that stimulate the ovaries to mature multiple eggs in preparation for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

An Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) test is a useful tool for assessing ovarian reserve, but there are several limitations to what it can tell you.

Here's what an AMH test cannot determine:

1. Egg Quality: AMH levels indicate the quantity of eggs remaining in the ovaries but do not provide information about the quality of those eggs. Egg quality tends to decline with age, regardless of AMH levels.

1. Ovulation Timing: AMH does not predict when or if ovulation will occur in a given cycle.

2. Ability to Conceive: A normal AMH level does not guarantee fertility, nor does a low AMH level mean that pregnancy is impossible. Other factors, such as sperm quality, uterine health, and tubal patency, also play crucial roles in conception.

3. Menopause Timing: While AMH levels decline as a woman approaches menopause, they cannot precisely predict the onset or timing of menopause.

4. Response to Fertility Treatments: Although AMH levels can help estimate the likely response to ovarian stimulation in fertility treatments, they do not guarantee outcomes like successful fertilization or implantation.

5. Presence of Other Reproductive Conditions: AMH alone cannot diagnose conditions like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or chromosomal abnormalities that might impact fertility.

6. Hormonal Fluctuations or Cycle Variations: AMH is considered relatively stable compared to other hormones like FSH, but it does not account for short-term hormonal fluctuations or variations across the menstrual cycle.

7. General Health of the Reproductive System: The test provides no information about the health of the fallopian tubes, uterus, or other reproductive structures.

As part of your fertility assessment, AMH levels are usually interpreted alongside other tests and clinical evaluations to provide a more comprehensive picture of reproductive health.

Yes, there are other ways of measuring ovarian reserve, such as cycle day 3 FSH levels, basal antral follicle counts, and seeing how well the ovaries respond to fertility medications.

Age can also be a significant predictor of success.

All of these methods help your fertility doctor evaluate and counsel you regarding your best treatment options.

The average cost of an AMH test varies, but typically ranges from $70 to $300. Many insurance plans cover this test, especially if ordered as part of a fertility evaluation.

Check with your healthcare provider and/or insurance carrier for details.