Got your AMH results back and not sure what to make of them? You're not alone. AMH is one of the most useful—but also most misunderstood—fertility tests. Let's break down what it means.
What Is AMH?
Anti-MĂĽllerian Hormone (AMH) is produced by cells in the small follicles (antral and pre-antral follicles) in your ovaries. The level of AMH in your blood correlates with the number of eggs remaining in your ovarian reserve.
Think of it as an inventory check: AMH estimates how many eggs you have left, not how good those eggs are.
Key points about AMH:
- Can be tested any day of your cycle (doesn't fluctuate like FSH)
- Remains relatively stable month-to-month
- Declines with age as ovarian reserve decreases
- Lower AMH = fewer eggs remaining
- Higher AMH = more eggs remaining (very high may indicate PCOS)
What's Normal? AMH by Age
AMH levels naturally decline with age. Here are typical ranges:
| Age | Low | Normal | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | <1.5 ng/mL | 1.5-4.0 ng/mL | >4.0 ng/mL |
| 30-34 | <1.0 ng/mL | 1.0-3.5 ng/mL | >3.5 ng/mL |
| 35-37 | <0.8 ng/mL | 0.8-2.5 ng/mL | >2.5 ng/mL |
| 38-40 | <0.5 ng/mL | 0.5-1.5 ng/mL | >1.5 ng/mL |
| Over 40 | <0.3 ng/mL | 0.3-1.0 ng/mL | >1.0 ng/mL |
Note: Different labs may report in different units (ng/mL vs pmol/L). To convert: ng/mL Ă— 7.14 = pmol/L
Interpreting Your Results
High AMH typically indicates a larger ovarian reserve—more eggs remaining than average for your age. However, very high levels may be associated with PCOS.
Your ovarian reserve is within the expected range for your age. This is reassuring but doesn't guarantee fertility—other factors matter too.
Lower than average AMH suggests fewer eggs remaining. This may be age-related or indicate premature ovarian aging in younger women.
Very low AMH indicates a significantly reduced egg supply. Natural conception is still possible, but IVF becomes more challenging.
"AMH is like checking your bank balance, not your credit score. It tells you how much is there, not how good it is. Low balance doesn't mean you can't make a purchase—you just have less to work with."
What AMH Doesn't Tell You
AMH is useful but has limitations:
- Doesn't predict natural conception chances: Studies show AMH doesn't predict time to pregnancy for women trying naturally. Low AMH women can conceive quickly; normal AMH women can struggle.
- Doesn't measure egg quality: Quality is determined primarily by age. A young woman with low AMH may have better eggs than an older woman with normal AMH.
- Doesn't account for other factors: Tubal health, sperm quality, uterine issues, and ovulation are not assessed by AMH.
- Can fluctuate: While more stable than FSH, AMH can vary between tests, especially in women with PCOS or recent surgery.
AMH is most useful for: (1) Predicting response to IVF stimulation (how many eggs you might retrieve), (2) Making decisions about egg freezing timing, (3) Understanding your fertility timeline and when to act, (4) Identifying PCOS (very high AMH), and (5) Tracking changes over time.
What If My AMH Is Low?
A low AMH result can be alarming, but here's what to do:
Don't panic. Low AMH doesn't mean infertility. Many women with low AMH conceive naturally or with minimal intervention.
See a specialist. A reproductive endocrinologist can do additional testing (AFC ultrasound, FSH, estradiol) and give you a complete picture.
Don't delay. If you want children, time matters more for you than for women with normal reserve. Make a plan and act on it.
Consider your options:
- Natural conception: Still possible—worth trying, especially if you're under 38
- IVF: May retrieve fewer eggs, but quality (by age) may still be good
- Mini-IVF: Lower-dose protocols that may work well for low reserve
- Egg freezing: If not ready to try, preserve what you have now
- Donor eggs: If very low reserve and older, this may offer best success rates
Getting Tested
When to test:
- If you're 35+ and planning to delay pregnancy
- Before considering egg freezing
- If you have risk factors (family history of early menopause, ovarian surgery, chemotherapy)
- As part of a fertility evaluation
- If you want baseline information for planning
Where to test:
- Your OB-GYN or RE can order the blood test
- Direct-to-consumer options (Modern Fertility, LetsGetChecked) let you test at home
- Results are typically available within a few days
Where Are You in Your Fertility Journey?
Our quiz can help you understand your situation and what steps to take next.
Take the Fertility Quiz →The Bottom Line
AMH is a valuable piece of information, but just one piece:
- It estimates egg quantity, not quality
- Low AMH ≠infertility—many women with low AMH conceive
- It's most useful for IVF planning and understanding your timeline
- Age is still the most important factor for egg quality
- If your AMH is low, don't delay—time matters more for you
- Always interpret AMH with a doctor who knows your full picture
Don't let a single number define your fertility or cause unnecessary panic. Use it as information to help make informed decisions about your reproductive future.