Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) shouldn’t be a mystery
Admittedly, before working at Main Line Fertility, I had no idea what Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) was. You would have thought after going to nursing school at Villanova, or spending five years as a postpartum nurse, I would have had some idea. But, no. I didn't realize how uneducated I was about something as simple as the menstrual cycle. Do any of us know what happens monthly, or should I say, what is supposed to happen monthly? Don't worry, stick with me. I got you covered. I'm here to teach you the ins and outs of it all!
Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is secreted by cells in developing egg sacs (aka follicles). The level of AMH in a woman's blood is generally a good indicator of her ovarian reserve. When I say “ovarian reserve,” what I mean is how many eggs you have left in your "fertility" lifetime. Your AMH level can be tested at any time in the menstrual cycle via a blood test.
Though it's important to know, for an accurate assessment of your AMH level, the AMH blood test should be combined with an antral follicle count (AFC), which is the sum of small follicles within both ovaries. You can get your AFC tested at a fertility clinic near you. If you live in the greater Philadelphia area, don't be shy, I'd love to assist you at Main Line Fertility!
AMH levels are naturally lower in older women, particularly over the age of 40, and higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Yes, that's me. My current AMH is 11.7. And yes, that's high. Good thing I froze my eggs when I was twenty seven! Interestingly enough, my AMH level has increased with age. When I decided to freeze my eggs at twenty seven years old, my AMH level was 4.1, and I thought that was high! My physician, Dr. Glassner, informed me that some women with PCOS will get better after conceiving their first child, and others will get worse. Lucky me, mine got worse. But, I am lucky; I'm educated. I've been proactive. And I know my husband and I will have the family we have always dreamed of.
Please reference the stats below.
AMH Blood Level
High (often PCOS) = Over 4.0 ng/ml
Normal = 1.5 - 4.0 ng/ml
Low Normal Range = 1.0 - 1.5 ng/ml
Low = 1.0 ng/ml
Very Low = Less than 0.5 ng/ml
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Much love,
Bridget