What Is AMH?
Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is produced by small follicles in your ovaries. It's the most reliable blood test for estimating your ovarian reserve — how many eggs you have remaining.
Unlike FSH or estradiol, AMH can be tested on any day of your menstrual cycle, making it the go-to marker for fertility assessment.
AMH Reference Ranges
| AMH Level | pmol/L | ng/mL | What It Suggests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very high | > 40 | > 5.6 | High reserve; PCOS risk |
| High | 28–40 | 3.9–5.6 | Excellent reserve |
| Normal | 15–28 | 2.1–3.9 | Good reserve |
| Low-normal | 7–15 | 1.0–2.1 | Reduced but workable |
| Low | 2–7 | 0.3–1.0 | Poor reserve; consider acting soon |
| Very low | < 2 | < 0.3 | Significantly diminished reserve |
Reference ranges vary slightly by lab. Korean clinics typically follow ESHRE/ASRM guidelines.
Why AMH Matters for IVF
AMH predicts how your ovaries will respond to stimulation drugs:
| AMH Level | Expected Response | Protocol Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| High (> 28 pmol/L) | High egg yield | Lower starting dose; OHSS monitoring |
| Normal | Moderate egg yield | Standard protocol |
| Low (< 7 pmol/L) | Poor response | Higher dose; consider DuoStim or mini-IVF |
| Very low (< 2 pmol/L) | Very few eggs | Discuss donor egg option |
AMH does NOT predict egg quality — only quantity. Women with low AMH can still have excellent egg quality.
AMH and Age
Ovarian reserve naturally declines with age. A 40-year-old with AMH of 8 pmol/L is in a different position than a 32-year-old with the same level — the 32-year-old has more time for intervention.
| Age | Expected AMH Range (pmol/L) |
|---|---|
| 25 | 20–35 |
| 30 | 15–28 |
| 35 | 7–18 |
| 40 | 3–10 |
| 44 | 1–5 |
If Your AMH Is Low
Low AMH is not the end of the road. Steps to consider:
- Don't delay — AMH naturally declines over time; act sooner rather than later
- Consider egg freezing now — even banking a small number of eggs is valuable
- Discuss your IVF protocol — high-dose stimulation or DuoStim (two retrievals in one cycle) may maximize yield
- DHEA supplementation — some studies show 75mg DHEA daily for 3+ months may improve AMH and egg quality in poor responders (discuss with your doctor)
- CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) — 400–600mg/day may improve mitochondrial function in eggs
Getting Tested in Korea
Most fertility clinics include AMH in a standard baseline panel:
| Test | Cost in Korea | When |
|---|---|---|
| AMH blood test | ₩40,000–₩80,000 | Any cycle day |
| Full baseline panel (AMH + FSH + AFC) | ₩150,000–₩300,000 | Day 2–3 of cycle |
Results are typically available within 24–48 hours.
FAQ
Q. My AMH is 1.0 ng/mL — can I still have a baby through IVF?
Yes. Low AMH reduces the number of eggs retrieved but doesn't mean IVF will fail. Many women with AMH under 1.0 ng/mL have successful pregnancies through IVF, especially with optimized protocols.
Q. Can anything increase AMH levels?
AMH cannot truly be "raised" — it reflects actual follicle count. However, DHEA, vitamin D correction, and stopping hormonal contraception may normalize temporarily suppressed levels.
Q. How often should I retest AMH?
Every 6–12 months if you're in the planning stage and concerned about reserve. More frequent testing isn't recommended as variation exists between labs.
📧 For hospital consultation and referral inquiries, contact: info@bronis.co.kr
Medical Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Consult a reproductive endocrinologist to interpret your specific AMH results.