AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) Test

he Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) Test is a blood test primarily used to assess a woman's ovarian reserve, which is the remaining supply of egg follicles. It's a key tool in fertility assessment and planning. 👩‍⚕️

What is AMH?

AMH is a hormone produced by the granulosa cells that surround the tiny, immature egg follicles (antral and pre-antral follicles) within the ovaries.

• During a woman's reproductive years, AMH levels generally reflect the number of these growing follicles.

• AMH levels naturally decline as a woman ages, eventually becoming undetectable after menopause, mirroring the depletion of the ovarian egg supply.

Why is the AMH Test Performed?

The AMH test provides valuable insights into a woman's fertility status for several reasons:

1. Assessing Ovarian Reserve (Egg Supply)

This is the most common use. It helps clinicians estimate the size of the remaining egg pool.

• High AMH: Usually indicates a large ovarian reserve. It is often seen in younger women and those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

• Low AMH: Indicates a diminished ovarian reserve, suggesting fewer eggs remain. This is typical as women approach menopause but can occur earlier in cases of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI).

2. Predicting Response to IVF

AMH is a strong predictor of how a woman will respond to fertility medications during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF):

• High AMH suggests a better response and the potential to retrieve more eggs.

• Very Low AMH suggests a poor response and the potential to retrieve very few eggs.

3. Diagnosing PCOS

Women with PCOS often have significantly elevated AMH levels due to the high number of small, undeveloped follicles in their ovaries.

4. Planning for Menopause

While it cannot precisely predict the age of menopause, very low AMH levels can provide an earlier indication of approaching menopausal transition.

Key Advantages

Unlike some other hormone tests used for fertility (like FSH and Estradiol), AMH levels remain relatively stable throughout the menstrual cycle. This means the blood test can be taken at any time during the month, making the testing process simpler.

It's important to remember: AMH levels indicate the quantity (number) of remaining eggs, but they do not directly indicate the quality of those eggs. Egg quality remains primarily tied to a woman's age.