For women, ordering an at-home Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) test is the first step to help monitor overall ovarian health and determine ovarian reserve - the number of eggs you have at the time of testing. When should women look into ordering an at-home AMH test and what is the value of keeping track of one’s AMH level?
As women age, AMH levels naturally decline. Many women do not know about their own AMH level, including how it impacts their fertility journey, what AMH level is ideal to get pregnant, and the importance of regular AMH level checks if they are looking to start a family now or in the future.
Doctors may order an AMH test as a diagnostic tool to help start a conversation about fertility, but AMH levels on their own cannot predict infertility. A woman’s AMH level determines how many eggs she has left at the time of testing—but nothing about the quality (or genetic health) of those eggs, which also plays a big role in getting pregnant. While there is currently no test to measure egg quality, having your AMH test results explained can help predict how many eggs you’ll be able to retrieve during an egg freezing or IVF cycle. This is important information to accompany the unknown quality of one’s eggs - the other important piece of the puzzle.
But, AMH levels provide a window into much more than the likelihood of getting pregnant; it can also reveal the optimal path forward for those experiencing infertility and a range of other potential health issues.
AMH testing is also for women who have had chemotherapy or ovarian surgery and want to know if it has affected future fertility, if there is suspicion of an ovarian tumor, or for women who just want to understand their current position.
The Meaning Behind AMH Levels
After you’ve received an at-home AMH test and sent in your blood sample, you will receive the results in a lab test readout like the image below.
Recipients of the test will see the typical ranges, from ‘Very Low” to “High”, with an indication of their specific AMH level. In this instance, the test subject has an AMH level of 0.01, which puts them in the “Very Low” range.
Let’s take a closer look at the impact of AMH levels and what each one you see within an AMH test result might indicate:
Low AMH level: Below 0.9 ng/mL.
A reading below 0.16 ng/mL is said to be 'undetectably low', meaning diminished chances of fertility. Very Low and Low AMH levels means you have a low ovarian reserve but does not mean you cannot conceive naturally. Low AMH can also indicate the possibility of premature or early menopause, or perimenopause for older women taking the test.
Normal AMH level: Between 1.0–4.0 ng/mL.
A reading under 1.0 ng/mL is considered low and indicative of a diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), while ranges from 1.0 ng/mL to 4.0 ng/mL are deemed normal.
High AMH level: Above 4.0 ng/mL.
A borderline high reading is between 3.5 ng/mL to 5.0 ng/mL. A high level means a woman has a higher number of eggs than expected for her age and can respond better to IVF treatment. A very high level can be an indicator of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which should be considered upon consulting a doctor. PCOS is a hormone imbalance that can make it harder to get pregnant. A very high level means that you have a higher number of eggs for your age; for women considering freezing their eggs, they may not need to plan for multiple cycles with this higher level as they are producing lots of eggs upon retrieval by a physician.
If your blood does show a very high AMH level, above optimum levels, it may also mean that you have lots of follicles and potentially puts you at risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which is when you produce too many mature eggs.
The Impact of AMH Levels
AMH testing is an invaluable tool for women who are monitoring their fertility health, and also for women who are considering egg freezing, but what do AMH results mean?
Once your AMH test results are explained, you will have a better understanding of what your ovarian reserve is now, so you can feel empowered to make decisions now or in the future. It is important for women to constantly monitor their AMH levels through at-home tests as they change over time, declining with age.
Whatever the results, it is important to know where your AMH levels fall when looking to begin a fertility journey or monitor your health, keeping in close contact with your physician.
What is a good AMH level for egg freezing?
For women who are considering egg freezing, an AMH test can help to figure out how many cycles a patient might need to plan for, or what the real chances of pregnancy later on will be if there is only one cycle.
For example, if you’re 39 and you have an AMH level under 1.75, you’ll know that you might need to plan for multiple cycles to get a 50% chance of pregnancy with your frozen eggs later.
Learn more about the right AMH level for getting pregnant, and how Knowing your AMH level can help you to determine the right time to start fertility treatments for getting pregnant.
Using At-Home AMH Tests in Your Fertility Journey
At-home AMH tests are useful for a variety of healthcare purposes, including if you would like to conceive in the future and want to understand your current position, you have been trying to conceive for over six months and want to check your ovarian reserve, or if you are considering IVF or other fertility treatments, to name a few.
At-home AMH tests give you quick results and are easy to administer from the comfort of your home. Once you’ve sent your sample into the CLIA-certified lab, you will receive results to make your own decisions and determine if you have further questions to take to a healthcare provider.
If patients have questions about their AMH levels, it is important they speak to a healthcare provider or infertility specialist to understand the impact it may have on their fertility journey and their overall health.
Working with a qualified, certified AMH testing partner like IHD provides you with additional confidence in your health data, and can also address any concerns or questions you have along your journey.