AMH Levels and Fertility: What You Need to Know About This Essential Test

AMH is a hormone (specifically, a glycoprotein) produced by the granulosa cells present in the ovarian follicles. Ovaries are the glands that make the eggs in females. So, AMH levels are a great indicator of ovarian reserve, which tells about the number of viable eggs present in the woman’s body.

Anti-Müllerian hormone is also present in males and is produced by Sertoli cells. High levels of AMH in male foetuses make sure that they don’t develop any female reproductive organs. In adult males, very low levels of AMH in the body can be an indicator of poor testicular function or infertility.

Think of the AMH test as a window into your ovaries where doctors can take a look at your egg supply without performing any invasive procedure. This simple blood test has become a great tool in fertility medicine, and here’s why:

Fertility Planning 

Every woman is born with about 1-2 million eggs. By puberty, this number drops to 500,000 – 300,000, and with every menstrual cycle, hundreds of eggs are lost (it´s a process called apoptosis). By the time a woman reaches her late 30s, both the quantity and quality of eggs decline, but this is a very generalised assumption. The AMH test can tell you how much time you might have if you are planning to start or expand a family. Rather than guessing based on your age, AMH provides a personalised timeline.

Diagnosis 

While normal levels of AMH give an insight into the ovarian reserve, low or high AMH levels can help uncover hidden reproductive issues that may be causing your infertility. Both of these extreme levels of AMH require different approaches to treatment.

Treatment Guidance 

In assisted reproductive techniques like IVF (in vitro fertilisation) and IUI (intrauterine insemination), one size does not fit all. AMH levels help your doctor:

• Predict ovarian response to fertility medications.
• Decide the right dosage of hormone injections.
• Avoid complications like OHSS (ovarian
• hyperstimulation syndrome) in patients with high AMH.
• Plan the timing and number of IVF cycles needed.

The anti-Müllerian test is not something every woman needs to get done in her routine blood tests. Below are the most common and medically important situations when doctors recommend an

AMH test: 

• You’re over 30 and not trying to conceive yet, but want to know your chances of getting pregnant in 3-5 years.
• You have irregular periods (infrequent, too frequent, or unpredictable) or other signs of hormonal imbalance, and are planning to start a family.
• You’re considering or currently undergoing fertility treatment.
• You’re considering freezing your eggs (also called oocyte cryopreservation) due to personal, medical, or professional reasons.
• You have a family history of early menopause.
• You are about to go under a medical treatment like chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other major pelvic surgeries that can affect your fertility.

The Anti-Müllerian test measures the concentration of AMH in the blood, which indicates the number of eggs remaining in the female body (ovarian reserve). Higher levels indicate a greater ovarian reserve, while lower levels indicate a low or diminished reserve.

While the AMH test tells you about the quantity of eggs left, it does not indicate your overall fertility health. Here are a few things that the AMH test doesn’t reveal:

• It can’t measure egg quality: You can have a high number of eggs but still face difficulty in conceiving if the quality of eggs is poor. Vice versa, you may conceive even if AMH levels are low.
• It doesn’t predict your menopause: Many believe that low AMH levels mean that menopause is just around the corner. But this is not totally true in some cases, as menopause also depends on other factors like lifestyle, and overall health.
• It doesn’t guarantee natural conception: Fertility is a complex equation in which AMH just plays one part. Natural conception also depends on regular ovulation, healthy fallopian tubes, a healthy uterus, and good-quality sperm.

The AMH test requires a simple blood draw. Many ask, “Why take the AMH test when FSH tests exist?” One of the biggest advantages of the AMH test is that you can take it on any day of your menstrual cycle, as unlike FSH or LH, it remains constant throughout the month. Also, no fasting, changing medication, or special timing is required for this test.

• Low AMH: May indicate lower ovarian reserve, suggesting a shorter reproductive window.
• Normal AMH: Reflects on average ovarian reserve as per age.
• High AMH: Could be associated with PCOS or a high number of follicles.

Understanding your AMH levels can give you valuable insights into your reproductive chances and timeline. At our ART fertility clinics, we provide comprehensive fertility assessments and personalised treatment plans based on your unique hormonal profile and other factors. Break the stigma around infertility and plan your parenthood with our dedicated experts. 

Avail AMH Test & Free Consultation at ART Fertility Clinics Dubai Branch. Package includes: Free consultation and personalized treatment plans. Now only 150 AED.