Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Test
Navigating
the Path to Fertility
With AMH
Test
The
Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) test is a blood test generally used to measure the
levels of AMH in an individual’s blood. AMH is a protein that is produced by
the developing follicles in the ovaries and plays a vital role in the proper
development of female reproductive organs. The measurement of AMH is generally
used as an indicator of a woman’s ovarian reserve - which is the quantity and
quality of a woman’s remaining eggs - and her potential fertility. While the
AMH test is useful for examining the ovarian reserve, it is not considered as a
definitive predictor of a woman’s ability to conceive. In addition, it provides
insight into the quantity of eggs but it doesn’t assess the quality of eggs or
other factors that influence fertility. This test is used as the part of
fertility treatment planning such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and can also
be used to assess reproductive health and potential for early menopause.
Overview of the Key Factors of the AMH Test:
Importance of AMH Test:
The number of
developing ovarian follicles is directly related to AMH levels; which makes AMH
test an indirect measure of the number of small, resting ovarian follicles. AMH
test helps in diagnosis of various conditions related to the reproductive
system. Elevated levels of AMH can be associated with conditions such as
polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - which is a hormonal disorder that can
disrupt ovulation and cause irregular periods. Very low AMH levels in younger
women might be indicative of the need for a fertility preservative technique
such as egg freezing. In addition, AMH levels are closely linked to age and
these levels typically decline after late 30s, indicating a decrease in the
quantity and quality of eggs.
Procedure:
●
In most cases, no special
preparation is required for the AMH test. The test is not affected by
medications or timing of the menstrual cycle.
●
A phlebotomist or a trained
healthcare professional will clean the area on the arm of the patient for blood
collection.
●
A tourniquet will be tied to
the arm to collect a blood sample will be drawn from the vein in the arm of the
patient through a small venipuncture.
●
Once the sample is collected,
the needle will be removed and pressure and a bandage is then applied to the
puncture site to stop any bleeding.
● The blood sample is then
carefully labelled to ensure it is correctly identified and associated with the
information about the patient and is then transported to the laboratory for
analysis.
● The sample in the laboratory is
then centrifuged to separate the serum from the cellular components and the
serum is then tested for AMH levels using a specialized assay.
●
The results are then
interpreted by the healthcare providers taking into consideration factors such
as age and reproductive history.
●
The healthcare providers will
then provide guidance and recommendation based on the individual circumstances.
Benefits:
●
Relatively simple and low-risk
procedure
●
Aids in family planning and
fertility treatment decisions
●
Helpful in tracking age-related
changes in ovarian reserve and aids in exploring fertility preservation options
●
Helps healthcare providers to
provide personalized assessment of the ovarian reserve to assist in creating
tailored fertility treatment plans
Precautions:
Some healthcare providers may prefer to perform this test on specific days of the menstrual cycle so patients must ensure they provide details to the healthcare providers. Patients must inform their healthcare providers about any medications or birth control methods they might be currently using as these factors can affect the levels of AMH. Patients must follow any dietary instructions provided by the healthcare providers to ensure accurate measurements of the test. Patients must provide complete information about their medical history including if they have any conditions such as PCOS or hormonal disorders as they can affect the levels of AMH. Patients must also inform if they are breastfeeding or might be pregnant as they can elevate AMH levels and the test might not provide accurate results.
