AMH is a hormonal test generally advised in women seeking fertility treatment.
AMH hormone is suggestive of ovarian reserve in any women, which means what is the quantity of eggs (oocytes) in a womens ovaries.
Why AMH is advised?
AMH is advised during fertility treatment. Which comes from the fact that every girl child when born has got fixed number of oocytes in her ovaries. With the advancing age no of oocytes start reducing as a result of natural death of that cell (apoptosis). Those girls who have less no of oocytes right from beginning or because of any disease process will have low ovarian reserve of oocytes (Eggs).
This can be one of the important reason where females may find it difficult to conceive.
This oocyte reserve in the ovary can be evaluated with the help of AMH hormonal blood test.
What are the normal AMH values?
AMH Blood Level – Interpretation (women < 35 yrs )
- Normal: 1.5 – 4.0 ng/ml
- Low Normal Range: 1.0 – 1.5 ng/ml
- Low: 0.5 – 1.0 ng/ml
- Very Low: Less than 0.5 ng/ml
When the AMH values are less than 1.5 ng/ml is s/o low ovarian reserve.
AMH values of more than 4 are considered as case of high ovarian reserve & need to rule out PCOS in these cases.
AMH value & fertility
AMH Value is purely suggestive of oocyte reserve & has no co- relation with the quality of oocytes.
Oocyte quality can be assessed to certain level with the help of FSH & LH homonal tests done on day 2 of menstrual cycle.
Even with low AMH values if baseline Day 2 FSH, LH values are within normal range, females do conceive with needed treatment protocol which is decided after evaluating other factors both in male & female partner related to fertility.
What is the cost of AMH?
Cost of AMH blood reports may vary from Rs. 1800 to Rs. 2200 (Indian Rupees) in various labs.
AMH valuealong with AFC count, age & BMI is an important parameter to decide the dose of gonadotropin injection in Fertility treatment specially IVF patients.
Can some disease process affect AMH values?
- Endometriosis is one of the commonest disease occurance which affects & Lowers AMH count significantly.
- Autoimmune conditions – it has been an observation that women suffering with autoimmune diseases of skin issues, SLE, diabetes, thyroid disorder are more likely to have a lower AMH values though same is not true always.