All About Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and Your Fertility

Do you know how many ‘good’ eggs you have left and how this may affect your fertility? A simply test, along with other measurements, can help you understand the greater picture.

Testing your levels of anti-mullerian hormone, along with other measurements, is often the starting point in a couple’s fertility journey. AMH levels are often seen as an indicator of how many good eggs you have left, and therefore what your chances of conceiving a baby may be. 

But what does AMH tell you about your fertility and what else should you know?

What is Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)?

AMH is a hormone secreted by cells surrounding the eggs in your ovaries. It seems logical then, that the more eggs you have, the higher your AMH levels are.

Testing

AMH is tested using a simple blood test. That test may be run at any time during your menstrual cycle because AMH levels are fairly constant though-out the menstrual cycle.

How do AMH levels relate to fertility?

AMH levels predict your ovarian reserve - the number of eggs you have left in your ovaries. More eggs will be indicated with higher AMH levels. Lower AMH levels indicate fewer remaining eggs in the ovaries and therefore a lower ovarian reserve. A lower ovarian reserve is a normal part of the aging process. If lower AMH levels present in younger women, other issues may be present.

Know your AMH levels

An AMH level below 1.0ng/mL is generally considered low. An AMH level below 0.5ng/mL is considered very low.

Pregnancy with low AMH

 It is possible to become pregnant with low AMH, though it may be much more difficult to conceive naturally with a low level of AMH. AMH levels may fluctuate from month to month. A single test may not predict with absolute certainty AMH levels from month to month. 

Consistent TCM and acupuncture treatments may help to treat low AMH and other related factors, which can improve your chances of conception. Our practitioners may also recommend other lifestyle changes and supplements which may support your overall reproductive health, leading to an increased chance of conception.

What causes low AMH?

Multiple causes of low AMH include age, your genetic predisposition, other disorders or illness such as autoimmune conditions, or past medical or surgical procedures.

Generally, doctors will test AMH along with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol, to get a complete fertility profile. This is only the starting point. Chinese medicine practitioners may conduct their own diagnostic tests, and consider results from all other related tests, to determine a broader picture of reproductive health. With that information, the TCM practitioner may determine a broader reproductive profile to address using TCM and acupuncture.

We frequently treat AMH and FSH issues. If you would like more information, please call us at 416-532-9094 or to schedule an appointment, click below.