Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is made by the small follicles in the ovaries that hold developing eggs. Measuring it in the blood gives an estimate of your ovarian reserve, meaning how many eggs remain. It is useful, but it does not tell you whether you will get pregnant.
What it is
Eggs grow inside tiny fluid-filled sacs called follicles. The follicles make AMH, so higher AMH levels usually mean more eggs remain, and lower levels mean fewer. Levels fall naturally with age.
AMH is made by the ovaries in women and by the testicles in men. MedlinePlus explains that, in women of childbearing age, higher AMH generally means the ovaries have a larger supply of eggs. After menopause, AMH falls to zero.
| Test | How | When |
|---|---|---|
| AMH | Blood test | Any day of the cycle |
| Antral follicle count (AFC) | Transvaginal ultrasound | Early in the cycle |
| FSH | Blood test | Cycle day 3 (days 1–5 acceptable) |
AMH and the antral follicle count both estimate ovarian reserve. AFC counts small follicles of 2–10 mm on ultrasound early in the cycle, and its accuracy depends on the experience of the person scanning.
ASRM notes that FSH is now used less often and AMH is increasingly preferred.
Who it's for
- People having a fertility check-up
- People planning IVF, to help predict how the ovaries may respond to medicine
- People considering egg freezing
- People being assessed for PCOS, where AMH may be high
Ovarian reserve tests help predict fertility potential and how well you may respond to treatment. They cannot say exactly how many eggs you have or how long you have to conceive.
Doctors also use AMH outside fertility care. MedlinePlus lists these other uses:
- Women nearing menopause: low AMH may suggest it is getting closer, but cannot give an exact date
- Some people treated for ovarian cancer, to help follow how treatment is working
- Babies and children, to help check for undescended testicles or atypical genitals
AMH is not a fertility test on its own. A normal result does not guarantee pregnancy, and a low result does not mean you cannot conceive.
Step by step
- ConsultationYour doctor explains why the test is useful for you and what it can and cannot show.
- Blood drawA small sample is taken from a vein in your arm. It takes only minutes, on any day of your cycle.
- Laboratory analysisThe lab measures AMH. Methods and reference ranges differ, so compare results from the same lab when possible.
- Reading the resultYour doctor reads the result alongside your age, ultrasound follicle count and history.
- PlanningThe result may guide whether to try sooner, which treatment to consider, or medicine doses in IVF.
What it feels like
It is an ordinary blood test: a quick needle prick in the arm, possibly a small bruise. No anaesthesia or recovery time is needed, and you can go back to your day straight away.
MedlinePlus notes that the blood draw usually takes less than five minutes and carries very little risk.
Results come from the lab, so you usually discuss them at a follow-up visit. Ask for time to talk through what they mean, especially if a result is unexpected.
How to prepare
No special preparation is needed for an AMH test, according to MedlinePlus. You do not need to time it to a particular cycle day.
- Tell your doctor about any hormone medicines you take
- Write down your cycle history and questions
- Ask which lab is used and what its reference range is
- Don't use AMH alone to decide when to try for a baby
- Don't compare numbers from different labs directly
- Don't panic over a single low result
Useful questions to bring to your results appointment:
- What is this lab's reference range, and where does my result sit?
- How does my result fit with my age and my ultrasound follicle count?
- Does this change when I should try, or which treatment makes sense?
- Do I need any other tests to complete the picture?
Limits of the test
| AMH can suggest | AMH cannot tell you |
|---|---|
| Roughly how many eggs remain | Whether your eggs are healthy |
| How the ovaries may respond to IVF medicine | Whether or when you will conceive |
| A possible sign of PCOS when high | When menopause will start |
Cleveland Clinic notes that an AMH level below 1 ng/mL may mean egg supply is declining, but labs use different ranges. ASRM stresses that abnormal results suggest fertility potential has declined, but cannot tell who will or will not conceive.
MedlinePlus adds that a high AMH can be a sign of PCOS, but more tests are needed to confirm it. Your provider reads AMH together with your age, symptoms and other results; AMH alone cannot diagnose a condition or guarantee a pregnancy.
Egg quality, ovulation, the womb, the tubes and sperm all matter as much as egg numbers.
The blood test carries no special risks beyond minor bruising at the needle site.
How DBN does it
- Approximate price: 1,800–2,500 THB
- Results in about 3–5 days
- The first consultation is free; prices are confirmed at consultation
When to see a doctor
- You want to understand your fertility before planning a family
- You are thinking about egg freezing
- Your periods are irregular or very far apart
- You received a low or high AMH result and are unsure what it means
Questions & answers
Do I need to test on a certain cycle day?
No. AMH does not change much through the cycle, so it can be tested on any day.
Does low AMH mean I can't get pregnant?
No. It suggests fewer eggs remain, but it does not measure egg quality or predict pregnancy.
Can high AMH be a problem?
High AMH can be seen in some people with PCOS. Your doctor will look at other signs before diagnosing anything.
Can AMH tell me about egg quality?
No. Someone can have a normal ovarian reserve but lower-quality eggs. Egg quality cannot be measured by this blood test.
Related DBN services
Related articles
Sources
- Ovarian reserve: predicting fertility potential in women — ASRM ReproductiveFacts
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Test — Cleveland Clinic
- Ovarian Reserve Testing — Cleveland Clinic
- Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)