Anti-Mullerian Hormone Test

What is an AMH test?

An AMH test measures the amount of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) in your blood. All people produce AMH, but healthcare providers frequently use the test in women — mainly to provide a snapshot of their reproductive health.

What is anti-mullerian hormone (AMH)?

AMH plays a key role in developing a fetus’s sex organs while in the uterus. AMH levels are higher in male fetuses, as this prevents them from developing female reproductive organs. Female fetuses only need a small amount of AMH for their development.

In females, cells inside the follicles of the ovaries produce AMH. Follicles are tiny fluid-filled sacs in the ovary that contain and release eggs.

AMH levels correspond to the number of eggs you have or 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.

When would providers do an AMH test?

Your provider may do an AMH test to determine if an ovarian mass is a granulosa cell tumor. AMH levels may also be used to check if:

• Treatment is working.
• The tumor has returned.

What does an AMH test tell you?

An AMH test tells you the number of remaining eggs you have and whether your ovaries might be aging too quickly. It may reveal that you have a shorter window to get pregnant.

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

What can’t an AMH test tell you?

While AMH is connected to your egg count, it doesn’t predict your fertility (with or without treatments), or when you’ll go through menopause.

Also, keep in mind that even if your AMH levels are in the typical range, other factors may influence your ability to conceive, such as:

• Age, medical conditions, smoking, etc.
• Sperm count and motility.
• Not ovulating regularly, blocked fallopian tubes, pelvic scarring, endometriosis and uterine abnormalities like fibroids.

What is a normal AMH level?

AMH levels vary depending on your age. In females, AMH levels start rising during adolescence and peak around 25 years old. After that, AMH levels naturally decline.

Providers measure AMH levels in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Experts debate how to define typical AMH levels, but these are general ranges:

• Average: Between 1.0 ng/mL to 3.0 ng/mL.
• Low: Under 1.0 ng/mL.
• Severely low: 0.4 ng/mL.

It’s important to note that because labs use different equipment, your results can vary slightly from lab to lab.

What is a good AMH level for your age?

AMH levels naturally decline with age, so it’s normal to see a lower ovarian reserve in your 30s, 40s and 50s.

For actual numbers, consider these estimates, which are on the lower side of the spectrum for each respective age:

• 25 years old: 3.0 ng/mL.
• 30 years old: 2.5 ng/mL.
• 35 years old: 1.5 ng/ mL.
• 40 years old: 1 ng/mL.
• 45 years old: 0.5 ng/mL.

Higher AMH levels aren’t always a good thing. AMH may be high in some people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Do at-home AMH tests work?

You can easily buy an AMH test in stores or online. At-home AMH tests typically require a finger prick. While home tests are convenient, it’s best to see a specialist to help you interpret the results. Fertility is a complex issue and requires a comprehensive, expert evaluation.