Why should I test my Anti-Mullerian hormone?

What’s covered?

As the name suggests, an Anti-Mullerian Hormone test measures the level of anti-Mullerian hormone in your body. It helps to assess your reproductive health by giving an idea of the active ovarian reserve in your body.

Anti-Mullerian Hormone

The role of Anti- Mullerian hormone begins with the development of the foetus during early pregnancy. It plays a vital role in the formation of reproductive organs. Chemically, it is a peptide growth factor that is a responsible hormone for the sex determination of the developing foetus.

Role of AMH in Foetal Development and Sex Determination

In a male foetus, with an XY sex chromosome, the AMH levels are higher as compared to a female foetus. In males, AMH is secreted in the testes by the Sertoli cells. The high AMH levels along with the presence of other male hormones prevent the development of female reproductive organs in a male foetus. In a female foetus, with an XX sex chromosome, AMH levels are considerably lower. This allows for the normal formation and development of female reproductive organs. In females, AMH is secreted by the granulosa cells present in the ovarian follicle. Small and immature follicles secrete the Anti-Mullerian hormone. As the number of follicles present in a woman's body decline as she ages, AMH is a good indicator of a woman's egg reserve. The ovaries contain fluid-filled sacs known as follicles. On maturation, the ovarian follicles are responsible for the release of an egg from the ovary. This process is better known as ovulation.

AMH Blood test

Although present in both males and females, the anti-Mullerian hormone is used as a marker to assess the reproductive health of a woman. It is often used in conjunction with other tests to evaluate a woman's fertility. An AMH test focuses on determining the functional ovarian reserve in a woman's body.

Significance of Anti Mullerian hormone(AMH)

A higher AMH level is indicative of a higher ovarian reserve and thereby a better chance of conceiving.

A lower AMH level is indicative of a lower ovarian reserve and therefore a lower chance of conceiving.

Normal Range of AMH levels for different age groups

An AMH level between 1 to 4ng/mL is considered in the normal age. Age-specific AMH levels are as below:

• 25 -29 years: 3.0 ng/mL
• 30 -34 years: 2.5ng/mL
• 35-39 years: 1,5ng/mL
• 40-44years: 1.0ng/mL
• 45-50years: 0.5ng/mL

AMH test Procedure

The AMH test is a quick blood test. You can undergo an AMH test on any day of your menstrual cycle, as your Anti-Mullerian levels do not fluctuate much during different phases of your cycle. A health professional will make a tiny prick to draw the required blood sample from a vein on your arm.

Benefits of an AMH test

An AMH test has the following benefits:

• It can help to detect hormonal disorders, especially in the case of PCOS
• It may help to somewhat predict your menopausal age.
• Diagnose the cause of Amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is when you haven't had your first period even after turning 15 years old. Secondary Amenorrhea occurs when you have skipped your periods for a few months.
• An AMH test may be also useful in the case of underdeveloped genitalia
• An AMH can help in family planning, by providing you with details regarding your functional egg reserve.
• It is a prerequisite for women who have had a history of ovarian cancer.
• An AMH test can also help in determining the cause of premature menopause.

Why should I test my Anti-Müllerian Hormone?

Now that you know the benefits of an AMH test, you can now consider if you need to undergo an AMH test.

You may need an AMH test for the following reasons:

If you wish to delay planning a family, you will want to know how long would it be reasonable to put off having a baby. Knowing your functional ovarian reserve with the help of an AMH test can be a good idea to help you make the decision. But you may also want to consider other factors such as lifestyle, habits, and the levels of other reproductive hormones such as FSH, LH, and TSH. You can consider doing a Welzo Female Hormone test that evaluates all your hormones related to reproductive health.

If you are trying to conceive after 35 or 45 years of age, undergoing an AMH test in indicating your chances of conceiving. If you have a lower AMH, you may consider doing additional tests to evaluate your reproductive health.

If you have had early menopause or you are having an irregular menstrual cycle and are in your middle 40s and 50s, you may consider doing an AMH test. The decline in AMH levels is indicative of reduced reproductive capacity and therefore used as a predictor for menopause. However, it is advised to use an AMH test alone, but you may also consider doing a transvaginal ultrasound scan to count your antral follicles during the perimenopause phase when you are already having an irregular menstrual cycle. An AMH test, along with a transvaginal ultrasound scan in conjunction with a health and lifestyle blood test can better predict your menopause.

An AMH test in conjunction with an ultrasound scan may help to evaluate your reproductive health in the case of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).

Anti-Müllerian hormone test is used to evaluate the body's response to ovarian stimulation as part of fertility treatment. This can help to avoid excessive oocytes, poor-quality embryos, and hyperstimulation of ovaries, thus helping to achieve a more controlled ovulation induction.

In case of previously failed IVF or IUIs, an age of above 35 years, or a low number of antral follicles, you may consider doing an AMH test while undergoing fertility treatments. It may help to understand the prognosis of fertility treatments.

An AMH test is highly recommended before and after surgery related to an ovarian mass. Your AMH levels can help to determine the damage and effect of surgery on your ovarian function.

Anti-Müllerian hormone levels is also a predictor of the long-term effect of chemotherapy on ovarian function. An AMH test is often recommended before chemotherapy for young women suffering from breast cancer.

Conclusion

You should get your anti-Mullerian hormones tested as it carries a wide range of benefits to get it done that can only improve your quality of life. If you are worried about it all, why not get a test to put your mind at ease?