Anti-Mullerian, or AMH, is a hormone produced by the granulosa cells in a women’s ovarian follicles. The amount of AMH produced by the body reflects your own personal ‘ovarian reserve’ and how many eggs your body has left.
When a female baby is born, she is born with all the eggs that she will ever have. This is estimated to be around 2 million, but by the time a girl reaches puberty, this number has decreased to about 400,000 eggs stored in her ovaries.
An Anti-Mullerian (AMH) health test can tell you your egg count and whether you have a high or low egg count. By taking a sample of blood and testing for the AMH biomarker, it will give you an insight into the level of Anti-Mullerian in your blood stream. A low AMH level will signal a diminished ovarian reserve, which is often linked to low fertility, whereas a high AMH level is the complete opposite.
A high AMH level can show that it is highly likely that you could get pregnant, due to the number of eggs left in her ovarian reserve. You could also wait months or years before trying to get pregnant, as your body still has high reserve of eggs.
There are many reasons why a women would like to be tested for the Anti-Mullerian (AMH) hormone including:
- To understand their fertility status and whether it’s the right time to start a family
- If you are thinking of having IVF, this test can give you an indication of how you are likely to respond to IVF treatment.
- You have symptoms of a low-level of Anti-Mullerian hormone and you are not of menopausal age.
A low level of Anti-Mullerian (AMH) is normal in young girls and women after menopause. If you are being treated for ovarian cancer, your test can show whether your treatment is working.
What are the symptoms of a low level of the Anti-Mullerian hormone?
- Unable to become pregnant
- Reduction in menstrual bleeding.
- Irregular menstrual periods.
- Permanent stopping of the menstrual cycle.
This health test is recommended if you have the following conditions:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Chromosomal abnormalities, such as Turner’s Syndrome
- Gene abnormalities, such as Fragile X
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian tumours
- Chemotherapy/Radiation
- Pelvic injuries
- Autoimmune disorders
- Obesity
How do I get tested for the Anti-Mullerian Hormone?
A simple blood test will identify your level of the Anti-Müllerian Hormone, which can provide information on your fertility levels if you are trying or struggling to conceive. The test can also be used to help diagnose menstrual disorders or to monitor the health of women with certain types of ovarian cancer.
The blood test will test for the following Biomarker: Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH).
“Low AMH levels can impact on a woman trying to conceive and get pregnant. A health test for the Anti-Mullerian hormone can help you to understand your level, so that you can plan accordingly.”
Key points:
- Anti-Mullerian, or AMH, is a hormone produced by the granulosa cells in a women’s ovarian follicles. The amount of AMH produced by the body reflects your own personal ‘ovarian reserve’ and how many eggs your body has left.
- If you want to know your fertility status and whether it’s the right time to start a family, then this health test can give you that answer.
- A low AMH level will signal a diminished ovarian reserve, which is often linked to low fertility, whereas a high AMH level is the complete opposite.
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How a Sample is Taken
With most health tests, there are two options for taking a sample of blood, which is used to test for certain biomarkers. The two most common options are a finger-prick or venous draw:
Finger prick Draw:
Health Tests that take blood via the ‘finger-prick’ method are usually done within the comfort of your own home, enabling you to take a small amount of blood discreetly and conveniently when you want to.
Venous Draw:
Once you have booked your health test, you’ll be sent the blood kit which includes all the equipment needed for a professional blood draw by an experienced healthcare professional, with clinics available across the UK to take your sample.
Details about which option is available for this health test, are available when you compare the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I have a high level of Anti-Mullerian hormone?
A high level of AMH can mean that your chance of getting pregnant are improved, and you also have more time to before trying to convenience. However, a high level of AMH may also indicate that you could have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Can I increase my levels of AMH?
Unfortunately there are no proven ways of increasing levels of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), although some research has shown that Vitamin D can contributed to raised levels, as well as reducing your weight if you are overweight or obese.
Does AMH indicate egg quality in a woman?
No, the levels of Anti-Mullerian in a women’s bloodstream will show the levels of eggs in her ovaries, but it will not show the quality of the eggs
What causes a low level of AMH?
There can be several causes as to why a women has low levels of AMH, the anti-Mullerian hormone. This includes Age, endometriosis, genetic factors, auto-immune diseases and cancer treatment. Excessive smoking, environmental causes like pollution and obesity can also lead to low AMH levels.
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