AMH Blood Test: What It Measures and What It Does Not Show
Quick answer: An AMH blood test measures anti-Müllerian hormone, a hormone made by small follicles in the ovaries. The level is used as an estimate of ovarian reserve, which means roughly how many eggs remain. It does not measure egg quality, and by itself it cannot tell you whether you will get pregnant or when menopause will start.
4 quick facts about AMH testing
- AMH levels generally go down as a woman gets older.
- AMH stays fairly steady through the menstrual cycle, so the test can be taken on any day of your cycle.
- No special preparation is usually needed.
- A low or high number is not a diagnosis. A healthcare provider reads it together with your age, symptoms and other tests.
What is AMH?
AMH stands for anti-Müllerian hormone. In women, the small follicles in the ovaries make it. Each follicle holds an egg that is still developing, so the more of these follicles you have, the more AMH tends to show up in your blood.
That is why AMH is used as a marker of ovarian reserve. It gives an estimate of egg quantity. It does not describe egg quality, and it does not show whether ovulation is happening.
Why do people get an AMH blood test?
MedlinePlus lists AMH testing as a tool that is mainly used with other tests to guide fertility care, especially medicine dosing for IVF. People also check it for other reasons:
- Fertility planning questions. You want to understand your ovarian reserve before talking with a fertility specialist.
- Trouble getting pregnant. A provider may order AMH along with other hormone tests.
- Possible PCOS. Irregular or missed periods, acne or extra facial or body hair can go along with polycystic ovary syndrome. AMH is often higher in PCOS, but it cannot diagnose PCOS on its own.
- Early menopause questions. Periods that stop or change before 40 may prompt a look at ovarian function. A lower than expected AMH for age can be one clue.
- Cancer treatment planning. Some chemotherapy and ovarian treatments can affect ovarian reserve.
What an AMH result can and cannot show
This is the part most people want explained clearly. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) states in its 2020 committee opinion that AMH and antral follicle count are among the most reliable measures of ovarian reserve, and that AMH helps predict how the ovaries respond to IVF stimulation. The same document is just as clear about the limits.
| An AMH result can help with | An AMH result cannot tell you |
|---|---|
| Estimating how many eggs remain compared with others your age | How good or healthy your eggs are |
| Guiding fertility medicine dosing and what response to expect in IVF | Whether you will conceive naturally |
| Adding information when PCOS or early ovarian decline is a question | Whether you have PCOS, or exactly when menopause will begin |
| Giving you a number to discuss with a provider | Anything on its own without your age and history |
Does a low AMH mean you cannot get pregnant?
No. In a study of 750 women aged 30 to 44 with no history of infertility, published in JAMA in 2017, women with low AMH (under 0.7 ng/mL) had chances of conceiving over 6 and 12 months that were not significantly different from women with normal AMH. The authors concluded the findings do not support using AMH to assess natural fertility in women like those studied. ASRM also notes that age is a much stronger predictor of fertility than AMH.
Can birth control change AMH?
It can. ASRM notes that levels may be lower in women using hormonal contraceptives, so your provider may interpret the number with caution. Tell your provider what you take.
How to prepare for an AMH test
- No special preparation is usually needed, and fasting is generally not required.
- You can take the test on any day of your cycle.
- Tell your provider if you use hormonal birth control, have had ovarian surgery or have had chemotherapy, since these can affect results.
- Follow any instruction given when you order or at your visit.
How the Women’s Fertility AMH Test works at Vitality Express Labs
- Order the Women’s Fertility AMH Test online for $119.
- Visit our Buffalo Grove or Lake Zurich location for a short blood draw.
- Your sample goes to the laboratory. Turnaround varies, so ask our front desk when you order.
- Review your result with your own healthcare provider. A doctor’s visit is not required to order.
Other tests people check along with AMH
AMH is one piece of the picture. These related tests answer different questions:
- Female Hormone Panel: FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, testosterone and TSH, for a wider look at reproductive hormones.
- Thyroid Function Test (TSH and Free T4): thyroid changes can affect periods and fertility.
- Comprehensive Thyroid Panel: adds free T3 and thyroid antibodies for a fuller thyroid check.
When to talk with a healthcare provider
Consider a visit if you have been trying to conceive for 12 months (6 months if you are 35 or older), your periods are missing or very irregular, you have symptoms such as hot flashes before age 40, or your result is far from what you expected. A fertility specialist can put an AMH result in context with an ultrasound, other hormone tests and your history.
Frequently asked questions
What does an AMH blood test measure?
It measures anti-Müllerian hormone, which is made by small follicles in the ovaries. The level is used as an estimate of how many eggs remain.
Does AMH tell me if I can get pregnant?
No. AMH estimates egg quantity, not egg quality, and it cannot predict pregnancy by itself. Age and your overall health matter more.
What is a normal AMH level?
Reference ranges depend on your age and the laboratory that runs the test, so there is no single normal number. Your result report shows the lab’s range, and your provider interprets it for you.
Do I need to take the test on a certain day of my cycle?
No. AMH is steady enough that it can be taken on any day of your cycle.
Do I need to fast for an AMH test?
Fasting is generally not required. Follow any instruction given when you order or at your visit.
Can AMH diagnose PCOS or menopause?
No. AMH can be higher in PCOS and lower as menopause approaches, but it cannot diagnose either one alone. Providers use it with symptoms and other tests.
How much does an AMH test cost without insurance?
At Vitality Express Labs in Buffalo Grove and Lake Zurich, the Women’s Fertility AMH Test is $119.
Do I need a doctor’s order?
A doctor’s visit is not required to order this test. Review your results with your own healthcare provider.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test.
- Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Testing and interpreting measures of ovarian reserve: a committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility. 2020;114(6):1151 to 1157.
- Steiner AZ, Pritchard D, Stanczyk FZ, et al. Association between biomarkers of ovarian reserve and infertility among older women of reproductive age. JAMA. 2017;318(14):1367 to 1376.
Medically reviewed by Rodion Levin, FNP-C, Founder and Medical Director. This article is for general education. It does not diagnose a condition or replace advice from your healthcare provider.
