Anti-Müllerian hormone. AMH

Anti-Müllerian hormone is a hormone that is synthesised by granulosa cells in the preantral and antral follicles that are present in the ovary.

What can the anti-Müllerian hormone be used for?

Within the context of reproduction, this hormone and a basal ultrasound scan are used in order to get an insight into a woman’s ovarian reserve. It can be used to predict her ovaries’ response to ovarian stimulation treatment.

What is ovarian reserve?

Ovarian reserve refers to the total number of oocytes that a woman has in her ovaries and it provides information on her reproductive future and the chances she has of reproducing.

Ovarian reserve is inversely proportional to a woman’s age. Therefore, the older she is, the smaller her ovarian reserve becomes and the poorer the quality of her oocytes becomes.

When should the analysis be performed?

In theory, and for women of a fertile age, anti-Müllerian hormone levels vary little across the different stages of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, any time is a good time for performing the analysis.

As well as the analysis, it is advisable to have a basal ultrasound scan between day 3 and day 5 following the first menstrual bleed so that it can be assessed in conjunction with the levels of anti-Müllerian hormone that have been obtained. Based on medical criteria, this gives an indication of what the patient's ovarian reserve is. With this in mind, you can make the most of the opportunity to have the ultrasound scan and take the blood test on the same day as your appointment. 

Reference range

Standardised reference ranges for anti-Müllerian hormone as an ovarian reserve marker do not exist. Therefore, at our clinic, the results obtained are interpreted alongside a basal ultrasound scan and they are always based on medical opinion.

The range of values that our patients are given are indicated below.

Low range: < 7.1 pmol/l

Average range: 7.1 to 21.4 pmol/l

High range: >21.4 pmol/l

These ranges are continually being reviewed by the scientific community and, as such, they are subject to changes.

What does the analysis entail?

It consists of a blood sample that is taken from the veins on the patient’s forearm. It is not necessary to come to the laboratory on an empty stomach.