Low AMH Testing
Anti-Mulleriane Hormone (AMH) is a naturally occurring hormone in women’s bodies that reflects their ovarian reserve of eggs. Dubbed the ‘egg timer test‘, this simple blood test is performed on every fertility patient and one the clearest indicators of female infertility.
While a very useful diagnostic tool for fertility, there are still some set backs. For example; if your results are deemed ‘normal’ it may provide false security that you will have no issues getting pregnant, or if it’s low, that information can seriously set you back emotionally.
Additionally, many people will provide different opinions as to what your low result might mean, including telling you it means you won’t get pregnant. The AMH test is a good indicator but not the be-all-that-ends-all to your fertility treatment and pregnancy journey.
So what does this mean for me?
Women who have done an AMH test general fall into one of two areas;
- You have done an AMH test “just to see how fertile I am” expecting of course that you’re absolutely fine, and being told that you’re not.
2. You and your partner have been having trouble conceiving, and the low AMH level was found as part of the routine testing.
Either way, with these results many women are told “your time is running out”, “your chances are low, you better do IVF asap” or “higher doses of FSH will make a difference.” These may not necessarily be accurate accounts, and there are probably other treatment approaches that can help you. In fact, years of IVF research has shown that higher dose FSH is actually detrimental to egg quality and successful fertilisation, whilst it might increase the mount of eggs retrieved, the eggs are less likely to make a bay.
The reality is, this is a quality game, we don’t want more eggs, we want good eggs. IVF technology cannot turn an egg that can’t make a baby into one that can, all it does is maximise the chances of collecting that good egg and supporting it to make a baby.
At Demeter Fertility we approach lower AMH results with a focus on collecting the good eggs that you have in reserve, not pursuing as many eggs as possible. We provide advice and support on how to increase the quality of your eggs and recommend treatment approaches like lower-FSH (mild ovarian stimulation) protocols to help more closer mimic your natural ability to produce good eggs.
Is there something else you’re interested in knowing?
Contact our dedicated team at Demeter Fertility