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How can I check my fertility levels before planning a pregnancy?
How can I check my fertility levels before planning a pregnancy?
It is estimated that one in six couples in Canada experience infertility.1 Understanding your health and fertility levels can be a great asset in your journey to become pregnant. A key component to understanding fertility levels is to test your Anti-Müllerian Hormones.
Infertility tests are ordered to find out why a woman cannot become pregnant and usually include a physical examination, semen analysis, blood tests, and special procedures.
AMH is one such blood test that is often used to check a person’s ability to produce eggs that can be fertilized for pregnancy. There is a relationship between AMH levels and fertility levels. This test measures the levels of AMH in the blood, the higher the AMH level, the higher the number of eggs in the ovaries.
What is Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and why is it important?
AMH is a protein produced by granulosa cells in ovarian follicles. AMH levels tend to be at the highest around the age of 25 and then begin to decline after the age of 30.
The level of AMH in the blood stream can be an indicator of fertility. AMH levels are commonly used to assess the reserve of ovarian follicles, and to predict the response to controlled ovarian stimulation during in vitro fertilization (IVF) thereby improving the efficiency and safety of IVF.2-6
What is an AMH test used for?
AMH levels circulating in blood may be used to:
- Predict the likelihood of IVF success. (AMH levels correlate positively with the number of retrieved oocytes2 and low AMH levels predict a lower likelihood of follicle response2-4)
- Assess the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) caused by an exaggerated response to gonadotropin treatment3,4,6
- Help diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)2,3,5,6
- Predict age of menopause2-5
- Confirm diagnosis of premature ovarian failure2-5
Who should get tested?
If you are experiencing difficulty becoming pregnant and considering invitro fertilization treatment (IVF), you should speak to your healthcare provider about whether an AMH test is right for you.
Your healthcare provider may also order an AMH test if they are concerned about:
- the onset of menopause
- ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
How can I get tested?
Testing is completed by LifeLabs at a Patient Service Center or via our mobile lab service through a simple blood sample. You will require a completed test requisition from your healthcare provider.
Understanding your results from an AMH test
Test results are provided directly to your doctor to discuss with you. The report indicates the AMH levels circulating in your blood and the range of your AMH levels. High AMH levels can indicate:
- a higher number of remaining ovarian follicles (eggs)
- a higher likelihood in positive response to IVF
- polycystic ovary syndrome
A decline in AMH levels can indicate a number of items including progression to menopause, a lower likelihood of positive response to IVF, or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
To learn more or order the AMH test visit .
References
- Adapted from www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/fertility/fertility.html
- Broer SL, Broekmans FJ, Laven JS, and Fauser BC. Anti-Müllerian hormone: ovarian reserve testing and its potential clinical implications. Hum Reprod Update 2014;20:688-701.
- Dewailly D, Andersen CY, Balen A et al. The physiology and clinical utility on anti-Müllerian hormone in women. Hum Reprod Update 2014;20:370-385.
- Green JA, and Graves G. Is there a place for AMH testing in Canada? J Obstet Gyneacol Can 2011;33:628-632.
- Fleming R, Seifer DB, Frattarelli JL et al. Assessing ovarian response: antral follicle count versus anti-Mullerian hormone. Reproductive BioMedicine Online 2015; doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.06.015.
- Iliodromiti S, Kelsey TW, Anderson RA et al. Can anti-Müllerian hormone predict the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome? A systematic review and meta-analysis of extracted data. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2013;98:3332-3340.