AMH Blood Test: What It Reveals About Ovarian Reserve
TL;DR
- AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone) is made by small follicles in the ovaries, so its level reflects how many follicles are still active.
- That measure is called ovarian reserve. AMH is about quantity of eggs, not their quality.
- Levels are stable across the menstrual cycle, so the test can be done on any day.
- AMH declines with age. It's read alongside your age, cycle history, and ultrasound, not on its own.
What anti-Mullerian hormone is
Anti-Mullerian hormone is produced by small follicles in the ovaries, each of which holds an immature egg. Because AMH comes directly from these follicles, the amount in your blood reflects how many are still active. That's what clinicians mean by ovarian reserve.
La Marca et al. (2010) confirmed that AMH stays relatively steady across the menstrual cycle, so the test can be taken on any day. That makes it more convenient than follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which is measured on specific days.
What the test measures
The AMH test is a simple blood draw. The sample goes to a laboratory where AMH is measured, usually in picomoles per litre (pmol/L) or nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL).
AMH falls with age. Broer et al. (2014) published age specific ranges showing that a woman in her mid 20s might have levels above 20 pmol/L, while by the late 30s levels often sit below 10 pmol/L. Very low AMH, below about 5 pmol/L, suggests a reduced ovarian reserve. AMH reflects how many eggs remain, not their quality, which is shaped by age and other factors and can't be read from AMH alone.
When AMH is recommended
AMH testing is common in several situations. Women planning IVF have it as part of the initial workup, because it helps predict how the ovaries will respond to stimulation. Broer et al. (2009) found AMH to be a strong predictor of ovarian response to IVF stimulation, ahead of FSH and antral follicle count for that purpose.
It's also used when looking into polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where AMH tends to be higher because of the larger number of small follicles. Before certain cancer treatments, an AMH baseline can be recorded, since some treatments affect ovarian reserve.
Reading your results
A high AMH isn't automatically good news. In PCOS, AMH is often raised because of the greater follicle count, and that pattern comes with its own considerations for ovulation. Dewailly et al. (2014) reviewed the clinical use of AMH and described how markedly it can rise in PCOS.
A low AMH can be hard to receive, but it doesn't make conception impossible. Many women with low AMH conceive naturally or through IVF. It does suggest there may be less time to delay, and a specialist may recommend acting sooner. Reference ranges differ between laboratories, so read your result with a clinician who knows your full picture.
What we see at Get Body Data
At Get Body Data, we see AMH land emotionally, in both directions. A single number can feel like a verdict. We frame it as one input among several. Alongside AMH we look at cycle history, antral follicle count from ultrasound, and FSH and LH. Together those build a far more complete view than AMH on its own, and they turn a number into a conversation about options and timing.
What comes next
If your AMH is lower than expected for your age, a fertility specialist can walk you through the options, which may include trying to conceive sooner, starting IVF, or egg freezing to keep options open. AMH is one piece of a larger fertility assessment, and it's most useful read in that context.
Frequently asked questions
Does a low AMH mean I can't get pregnant?
No. It suggests a smaller remaining egg supply, not an inability to conceive. Many women with low AMH conceive. It's mainly a signal about timing, which is worth discussing with a specialist.
Can I test AMH at any point in my cycle?
Yes. AMH is stable across the cycle, so it can be measured on any day, unlike FSH.
Does AMH tell me about egg quality?
No. AMH reflects how many follicles are active, which is quantity. Egg quality is influenced mainly by age and can't be read from AMH.
Why is my AMH high?
Higher AMH can reflect a larger number of small follicles, which is common in PCOS. A high reading is interpreted alongside your symptoms and other tests rather than taken as a positive on its own.
Disclaimer
This article is for information only. It isn't medical advice and it isn't a diagnosis. Fertility testing and the interpretation of AMH should be done with a qualified healthcare professional who knows your full medical history. Always talk to your doctor or fertility specialist about your results.
References
Broer SL, Mol BW, Hendriks D, Broekmans FJ. The role of antimullerian hormone in prediction of outcome after IVF. Fertility and Sterility. 2009;91(3):705-714.
Broer SL, Broekmans FJ, Laven JS, Fauser BC. Anti-Mullerian hormone: ovarian reserve testing and its potential clinical implications. Human Reproduction Update. 2014;20(5):688-701.
Dewailly D, Andersen CY, Balen A, et al. The physiology and clinical utility of anti-Mullerian hormone in women. Human Reproduction Update. 2014;20(3):370-385.
La Marca A, Sighinolfi G, Radi D, et al. Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) as a predictive marker in assisted reproductive technology: a systematic review. Human Reproduction Update. 2010;16(2):113-130.
Nelson SM, Messow MC, Wallace AM, et al. Nomogram for individualized prediction of live birth after IVF. Fertility and Sterility. 2011;95(7):2552-2556.