Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and Fertility Testing Explained
Fertility testing has changed. It's gotten more sensitive and more predictive, especially with the use of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) fertility testing. While day three Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) testing is still being done and will continue to be done, it's starting to take a back seat to AMH.
Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT) offered an evening last fall, testing for AMH, free of charge. This event was open to the public and was very well attended by women who were just wondering how they were faring in terms of their own fertility and ovarian reserve.
Look for the date this spring when we offer another Fertility Testing Seminar, checking AMH levels, free of charge. Having this information allows you to be more informed and educated in making your plans about creating your family.
~Lisa
Further Understanding AMH Testing
Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is also known as Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS). It is a hormone secreted by the small follicles in a woman’s ovaries. AMH has emerged as a new way to measure ovarian reserve that is becoming more commonly tested. Ovarian reserve is a concept that means how many eggs with what quality are still available in the ovary to try to conceive a baby. Basically, it measures “how much gas is left in the tank?”
There are other ways of measuring ovarian reserve - such as age, cycle day 3 FSH levels, basal antral follicle counts and seeing how well the ovaries respond to fertility medications. All of these are useful tests that help your physician evaluate and counsel you and your husband regarding your treatment options. AMH is emerging as a very important tool that has advantages over the other tests such as it can be measured at any point of the menstrual cycle (not just on day #3 of your period like FSH) and does not require a sonogram (like basal antral follicle count).
While no single test is perfect, nor cannot it predict with 100% accuracy what is going on in your body, AMH is emerging as a very useful tool for your reproductive endocrinologist to help guide your choices about fertility treatments and pregnancy rates.
Please note that having a low AMH does not mean that you will not become pregnant. It is an indicator that you may want to try sooner rather than later. And of course a conversation with your health care professional is the best way to understand any test result.
The better educated that you are, the less of a possibility that you will find answers later than you would have liked.
~Lisa