What is the AMH test? Why is the test done? Everything around this, that you should know, in this post, and of course our doctors are always there to help you. Just fill in your details in the form down below and we will answer all your questions for FREE!
What is an anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) test?
An AMH test is a test that is used to measure the amount of anti-mullerian hormone in the sample of blood. AMH in blood which is released in both males and females is indicative of various reproductive health conditions.
Also Read: poly-cystic ovarian disease
What is AMH?
AMH is a hormone that is secreted by testes in males and ovaries in females. Also, in an unborn fetus, Mullerian ducts are present which develop into sexual organs determining the sex of the baby. In return, this development is controlled by the hormone AMH, which either causes shrinkage of the ducts to form a male fetus or the low levels cause the Mullerian duct to form female sex organs and form a female fetus.
Also, this hormone helps in determining childbearing females as it is the measure of number of eggs in a female. The ovarian follicles secrete this hormone and thus higher levels of AMH mean a higher supply of eggs.
Also, at menopause, the levels drop to zero indicating that the follicles and egg supply have been diminished.
What is the normal range for AMH?
Levels of AMH vary according to age. It starts rising around 25 years of age and starts declining after that. The normal range is from 1.0 ng/ml – 3.0 ng/ml.
What are the other names for the AMH test?
Other names include:
- Mullerian inhibiting test
- MIH
- AMH hormone test
- MIF
- Mullerian inhibiting factor
- MIS
- Mullerian inhibiting substance
What are the symptoms indicating the need for this test?
In females, it is used as
In IVF cases:
- To see the response to the treatment
- To see the supply of eggs in ovaries
In PCOD cases:
- Irregular menses
- Dark patches on the skin
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
- Hirsutism
In cases of ovarian cancer:
- To see the recurrence of it
- Response to the treatment
In males, it is used in:
- Undescended testes
- Undefined sex in a baby with atypical genitals
What is the AMH test used for?
In the case of babies or children:
- To check whether the testes have descended in male babies or not
- To check and learn more about babies born with atypical genitalia
In the case of females:
- No. of eggs left in the ovaries
- To check the response to fertility treatment in IVF cases
- Find out about menopausal status
- To see the status of ovaries in PCOD
- Check for ovarian cancer
What if AMH levels are high?
It means the following:
- In childbearing, age in females means sufficient eggs are present
- PCOS is present
- Ovarian cancer has recurred
What if AMH levels are low?
It means the following:
- Egg supply is shrinking in females
- Menopausal age
- Treatment is working well for ovarian cancer
- Testes are missing (in a male baby)
What are the preparations required before the AMH test?
No special preparations are to be done before this hormone test.
Also Read: ovarian cancer
For more information, you can visit MedlinePlus.gov and Testing.com.
