Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Blood Test

Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) is produced in the ovaries within tiny follicles (small fluid-filled sacs where eggs develop). The more follicles you have (eggs) the higher your level of AMH. 

So whilst the AMH test cannot be used as a definitive test to assess the likelihood of becoming pregnant, either naturally or as the result of fertility treatment. It can be used to give an  estimate of the number of viable eggs a woman has remaining.  

An AMH test indicates whether a woman's AMH level is normal for her age and indicates whether there's the expected number of viable eggs. It cannot measure the actual number of viable eggs, nor can it give a precise estimate for the years left that a woman has to try for pregnancy. 

We recommend that a low AMH test result should be followed up with an antral follicle count where a doctor will count the activated follicles within the ovaries. 

AMH levels decline as you get older and reach menopause, as the quality and number of ovarian follicles decline with age. Women with polycystic ovaries can have higher than expected results for their age. This is because AMH is produced in the ovarian follicles and women with polycystic ovaries often have high numbers of follicles in the early stages of development. 

It is important to note that some types of contraceptive pill may affect your results. If you stop taking the pill, we suggest waiting until your periods have resumed their normal cycle before taking this test. Make sure that you take an alternative form of contraception if you are not planning to become pregnant.