Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)

Egg reserve, female fertility

AMH is a hormone made by the small, developing follicles in the ovaries. Its level gives an estimate of the ovarian reserve, meaning roughly how many eggs remain, and it naturally falls with age. It helps fertility specialists predict how the ovaries may respond to fertility treatment, but it does not show egg quality or, on its own, the chance of a natural pregnancy.

• To estimate the remaining egg supply as part of a fertility assessment
• Before IVF or other fertility treatment, to help plan the approach
• To support the assessment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where AMH is often high
• When there are concerns about an early loss of ovarian function
• Before treatments that can affect the ovaries, such as chemotherapy

You do not need to fast or plan around your menstrual cycle, as AMH stays fairly steady through the month. Tell your doctor if you use hormonal contraception, since it can lower AMH, and about any recent fertility treatment or ovarian surgery.

Sample

Blood sample

How it works

The sample can be collected on any day that suits you. A trained collector draws a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm at home, which takes a few minutes.

Report

Within 3 days of collection.

Your AMH is compared with the laboratory's range, and it is best read against typical values for your age. A low AMH suggests a smaller egg reserve, while a high AMH is often seen in PCOS. AMH does not measure egg quality and cannot predict on its own whether you will conceive naturally. Your doctor or fertility specialist will interpret the result with an ultrasound scan and your other hormone tests.

One test: Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), from one blood sample.