Are Ovarian Reserve AMH Tests Accurate?

Understanding fertility has always been a challenge for doctors and scientists alike. Between the recent male fertility crisis and the ongoing research behind the multidimensional puzzles of women fertility, knowing whether or not you and your spouse may be able to have children is very important. For women over 30, a new test that measures your level of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) estimating the health of their egg reserve.

AMH is a hormone that developing eggs give off within the ovaries. The higher the AMH levels, then the higher amount of healthy eggs are left being stored in a woman’s body. Since women are born with all of the eggs they store for the rest of their life, testing AMH levels can be consistent across most women. Even though no test is 100 percent accurate, AMH tests are a good measure for women to understand their ovarian egg reserve.

Can You Trust AMH Tests?

When it comes to fertility assessment, the level of AMH in your blood is just one factor in a wide range of body imbalances that affect fertility. Even though AMH tests are a useful guide in your doctor’s journey towards understanding fertility, it’s important to recognize the risks in trusting such a test. For one, the original AMH test was taken off of shelves as it was determined as unreliable. However, since then the technology involved with AMH tests have improved to the point that it is now back in your doctor’s tool belt.
How to use an AMH test.

An AMH is a very simple lab test that measures hormone levels in the blood. This test will give you a good indication on the number of eggs you have left in your ovaries.
Collect your sample in the early morning (after fasting) and return the kit in the mail. From here your sample is analysed and results are reviewed and available within 3-6 days.

When Should AMH Tests Be Done?

When it comes down to it, AMH tests are a way to empower women by helping them take control of their own information and fertility status. If you and your partner have been struggling to conceive, then maybe it’s time to talk to your doctor about your AMH levels. If you have a history of early menopause or underactive thyroids in your family then you could be a good candidate for AMH testing. Early AMH testing could help encourage you that your egg reserve is not negatively affected by your family history. Further, getting the correct information about your egg reserve could lead you down a proactive road of fertility planning, including egg freezing and male fertility testing.

Can you Increase AMH Levels?

As AMH levels deplete with age, women wanting to get pregnant later in their life may wish to increase their chances of fertility. However, since AMH is the result of the number of developing eggs inside of ovaries, there is no way to naturally increase your AMH levels. It is simply genetic.