Understanding your AMH Levels and Test Results

AMH is a hormone that, albeit small, has a lot to say.

While it’s not discussed as much as the hormones that control our menstrual cycles, AMH plays a key role and is often tested while checking for fertility or during egg freezing.

It can help us understand our ovarian reserve, how our fertility is for our age, and help doctors decide the next steps or modify the protocol better if you’re looking to freeze your eggs or go for IVF.

But how can one hormone convey so much? And if it’s that important, when should I get tested for it?

So, in this article, we’ll discuss what the AMH test is, why it’s important to measure it and when to get it done.

What Is Anti-Mullerian Hormone?

Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) is a hormone produced by pre-antral and small antral follicles (which contain eggs) in our ovaries, before they become dominant follicles. Testing these levels gives us an idea of our “ovarian reserve”, aka, how many eggs we have left in our ovaries.

Post puberty, our AMH levels increase. But as we age, the pool of follicles reduces with every menstrual cycle, thus leading to a reduction in AMH as we age. 

Here’s how it works, best explained by our in-house medical expert, Dr Vivienne Hall:

“As women, we’re born with all the eggs we’ll ever have, in the primordial follicle pool. But by the time we hit puberty, this number would’ve halved, and it keeps decreasing with every menstrual cycle we have,” she says. “Imagine our ovaries like a room, with all the primordial follicles on the floor, with a bunch of them selected every month, and ascending to the top, in the race to become the dominant follicle”

“Now think of AMH as this follicular gatekeeper. It limits the number of follicles that react to gonadotropins or hormones, and ascend to grow into pre-antral and small antral follicles”, says Dr Vivienne Hall. “And this functional ovarian reserve, and our true ovarian reserve both decline with age, making AMH an accurate and indirect assessment of our ovarian reserve, aka the eggs we have left”. 

How Do I Check My AMH Levels?

You can check your AMH levels via a simple blood test. Once you book an appointment at the clinic, you’ll have to visit the centre and your healthcare provider will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm and collect it in a test tube. 

‍Do I Need to Prepare for an AMH Test?

No, there’s nothing you’d have to prepare for before an AMH test. It can be done at any point in your cycle, and there’s no fasting required. You can eat and drink normally before taking the test. Just make sure you’re hydrated enough to make it easier to take your sample.‍

However, here’s what to consider:

1. If you are on contraception, it may slightly affect your AMH levels. Regardless, you can still get tested, as it offers a useful baseline.
2. Your AMH levels may also differ if you’re on medical treatments or if you’ve recently had ovarian surgery, etc.

🌞Get your AMH Tested in the UK, via Amilis

When you get your AMH tested via Amilis, you get a personalised AMH report as well. The report includes your AMH levels, what they mean for your age, clear explanations and actionable steps tailored specifically to your needs.

You'll also see how your egg quantity stacks up against others your age and gain personalized insights into what egg freezing could mean for you.

Book my AMH Test

AMH Levels by Age (p/mol+ chart)

As AMH decreases with age, the normal range changes for women in different age groups.

There’s also not one standardised set of values. Values vary between clinics, laboratories, and countries. For clinic-specific values, contact the clinic or the center where you’re getting your AMH tested. 

But in general, here’s a chart of widely used AMH values that can give you an idea of what “normal AMH levels” look like for your age:

Source

What can Anti-Mullerian Hormone Levels Indicate?

AMH can be a good indicator of your ovarian reserve, your fertility levels and how well your ovaries are working. By measuring it, you can learn:‍

About your ovarian reserve

Since our ovarian reserve declines with age, when you test your AMH levels, you can get to know whether the decline is normal for your age or is accelerating. While best measured along with an AFC (Antral follicle Scan) or ultrasound, your image levels do correlate with the quantity of your eggs. 

How well you’ll respond to ovarian stimulation

To freeze your eggs (or even to do IVF), you’ll need to stimulate your ovaries using artificial hormones. 

Normally, your body selects a bunch of follicles in the race to mature and release just one egg a month. But during a freezing or IVF, the aim is to collect and freeze as many mature eggs as possible. 

Your AMH levels suggest how well your ovaries will respond to these hormones. This will help your clinic or healthcare provider decide the stimulation protocol that’s best for you.

Whether you’re close to menopause

AMH levels naturally drop leading up to menopause as our ovarian reserve reduces. An AMH test can help indicate whether you’re close to menopause, and in some cases, predict when you reach menopause as well.

In fact, if you’re younger and you notice your AMH levels are on the lower end, you can discuss with your healthcare provider and opt for egg freezing. This works as a preventive option rather than testing your fertility later on.

Whether you have PCOS/ Increased risk of OHSS

As per studies, it’s been suggested that AMH correlates strongly with the symptoms of PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome), such as increased androgen levels and irregular periods. In fact, a cut-off of >6.2ng/ml using the Elecsys assay has been shown to be a higher indicator of PCOS. 

Especially during egg freezing and IVF cycles, these levels matter, as a higher AMH can indicate a higher risk of hyperresponse of the ovaries to the stimulation protocol, called OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome). Mild to moderate OHSS has fewer symptoms, but it may turn severe if left unmonitored.

Knowing about this risk beforehand can help clinicians plan a protocol that would reduce the risk of OHSS.

Free PCOS Guide

Download our free PCOS guide and get to know all about PCOS, symptoms, and how it affects your fertility and egg freezing.

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The Need for Fertility Counselling Before Chemotherapy

If you are about to start cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which can affect your ovaries, an AMH test can give you a clearer picture of your fertility. This can help you and your doctor plan ahead for options like egg or embryo freezing.

Measuring your AMH before starting treatment can help predict residual ovarian function and what your chances of natural fertility could be. This is especially useful when your doctor also considers your age and the type of cancer treatment you are having.

What Do Low AMH Levels Mean?

Low AMH means your ovaries have fewer eggs left than average for your age. This can sometimes point to a shorter reproductive window and may be linked to:

• A higher chance of early menopause or a condition called primary ovarian insufficiency
• A lower response to fertility treatments, which can mean fewer eggs are collected during IVF or egg freezing
• For some women, it may become harder to conceive naturally over time,  but this is subjective, as it depends on egg quality 
• Changes to your menstrual cycle, which may become irregular for some women
• The need for more egg freezing cycles to store the number of eggs you want for the future

In some cases, lifestyle changes or certain supplements may help support ovarian health, but always speak to your doctor before starting anything new.

Also read: How to Improve AMH Levels?

What Do High AMH Levels Mean?

High AMH means your ovaries have more small developing follicles than average. This often suggests you have a larger supply of eggs and may be linked to:

• A stronger response to fertility treatments, which can mean more eggs collected per cycle
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which often causes AMH to be higher than usual
• In fertility treatments, it can sometimes mean more embryos are created, although it doesn’t guarantee pregnancy since egg quality factors in, too
• A greater chance of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during treatment, which is why doctors may adjust your medications and monitor you more closely

High AMH can be a positive sign in terms of egg numbers, but egg quality and overall reproductive health are just as important when it comes to fertility.

What Can’t an AMH Test Tell You?

While an AMH test can help guide your egg freezing stimulation protocol or indicate risk of PCOS or OHSS, there are some things that an AMH is NOT an indicator of:

How likely you are to conceive naturally

You only release one egg a month during a normal cycle. Lots of things affect whether it’s fertilised, but the number of eggs in your ovaries doesn’t.

The Quality of Your Eggs

AMH tells you how many eggs you might have left, but it does not say anything about how healthy or genetically sound those eggs are. Egg quality is just as important as quantity when it comes to fertility and a successful pregnancy.

Cannot Diagnose Infertility or Reproductive Organ Health

Having a low AMH level does not automatically mean you cannot get pregnant. Many women with low AMH conceive naturally. AMH also cannot tell you if there are issues with your uterus, fallopian tubes, or hormones. Those things need other tests, such as an ultrasound or a full hormone check.

Cannot Predict Individual Menopause Timing

AMH levels generally go down with age, and lower levels are linked to being closer to menopause when looking at large groups of women. But it cannot pinpoint exactly when you, as an individual, will reach menopause, because there is so much variation from person to person.

Testing your AMH in the UK? Amilis can Help

When you choose the right specialist, clinic, and the white resources, your fertility journey becomes a tad bit easier. 

Especially when you’re starting out, it can look like a maze. Having the right resources at this stage can improve your entire experience. 

That’s why, at Amilis, we believe in providing the best care, from the very first step. Here’s how:

• Book an AMH test for just £80 and a full hormone panel for £130 (50% cheaper than fertility clinics)
• Get free consultations with expert doctors across the UK
• Free consultations with vetted egg freezing clinics near you 
• Free 1-1 calls with Amilis experts throughout your journey

It’s about time we make fertility care accessible, not a luxury. 

And we’re paving the way for it, one day at a time 🙌🏼

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is an AMH test about fertility?

AMH tests give a helpful idea of how many eggs you have in your ovaries. They don’t show everything about fertility, like egg quality or your chance of getting pregnant naturally. Pairing it with an antral follicle count scan gives a fuller picture. It’s a simple way to understand your ovarian reserve a bit better.

Do at-home AMH tests work?

At-home AMH tests are easy to do and usually just need a tiny finger-prick blood sample. Sometimes it can be tricky to collect enough blood, which can affect the results. The sample is sent to a lab, and you get the results online or in an app. Most clinics may ask for a repeat test if you want to use it for fertility treatments or egg freezing.

Does the contraceptive pill interfere with AMH testing?

Yes, the pill can temporarily lower AMH levels, and they usually go back to normal a few months after stopping. Because of this, testing while on the pill might not show your natural level. AMH is only one part of the fertility picture, so it’s normal to look at it alongside other factors.

Is the AMH test available on the NHS?

Routine AMH testing isn’t covered by the NHS. Most people get it done through a private clinic, which is quick and easy. Private clinics also give a clear explanation of what the results mean for you. If you choose to go via Amilis, you get a personalised report and a free follow-up call on the next steps.

How much does an AMH blood test cost in the UK?

AMH tests usually cost between £100 and £350, depending on the clinic. At Amilis, tests start from £80 (50% less than fertility clinics). Testing privately is faster than the NHS and can be done at a clinic close to you.

What is a good AMH level to get pregnant in p/mol?

A typical AMH level for most women is around 7 to 28 pmol/L. Higher levels usually mean a larger ovarian reserve, while lower levels suggest fewer eggs. AMH gives an idea of quantity but doesn’t show egg quality.

What is a normal AMH level?

For most women of reproductive age, normal AMH levels are between 1.0 and 4.0 ng/mL. Lower levels may indicate a smaller ovarian reserve, and higher levels are often seen in younger women or those with PCOS. Normal AMH doesn’t guarantee pregnancy but helps show how the ovaries might respond to treatment.

Is there an egg count blood test?

Yes, the AMH blood test is the main way to estimate your egg count. It measures the hormone linked to ovarian reserve, showing how many eggs you might have. It doesn’t measure egg quality, so it’s usually combined with an antral follicle count scan for a fuller picture.