Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test

Reviewed

Also called: Anti-Müllerian hormone test, AMH hormone test, Müllerian-inhibiting hormone (MIH), Müllerian inhibiting factor (MIF), Müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS)

An anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test measures the amount of AMH in a blood sample. AMH levels can provide information about a variety of reproductive health conditions, including ovarian reserve, PCOS, menopause, ovarian cancer treatment, and, in babies and children, testicular function and atypical genitalia.

Specimen: blood sample

Why this test may be ordered

  • In females: to check ovarian reserve (how many eggs are left), to predict response to fertility medicine (especially for IVF), to help diagnose PCOS, to check for menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency, and to monitor treatment for certain ovarian cancers.
  • In male babies or children: to check for healthy testicles when testicles are not felt in the scrotum.
  • In a baby with genitals that are not clearly male or female: to help diagnose the cause, usually along with other tests.

Preparation and collection

none

blood draw from a vein in your arm

You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out; slight pain or bruising at the needle site is possible but most symptoms go away quickly.

Understanding results

What your AMH test results mean depends on the reason the test was done. Talk with your healthcare provider about what your specific results mean.

  • Higher-likelihood of PCOS: A high level of AMH is a sign that you may have PCOS. An AMH test alone cannot diagnose PCOS. Limitation: This result is not a diagnosis of PCOS by itself. Next step: Omit
  • Lower-likelihood of remaining eggs: Low AMH may mean you're getting close to menopause. If you are younger than 40 and have symptoms of menopause, an AMH level lower than average for your age may be a sign of primary ovarian insufficiency. If no AMH is detected, it is consistent with menopause. Limitation: This result cannot predict how long you have until menopause. Next step: Omit
  • Lower-likelihood (decrease) or Higher-likelihood (increase) of treatment effectiveness: During ovarian cancer treatment, a decrease in AMH usually means your treatment is working. If AMH increases, it may mean your treatment is not working or the cancer has returned. Limitation: This result is used along with other tests and is not a confirmed diagnosis. Next step: Omit
  • Higher-likelihood of healthy testicular tissue (with normal AMH): For a male baby or child with undescended testicles: Normal AMH levels mean the baby has working testicles, but they are not in the right location. Little or no AMH may mean the testicles are not working or are missing completely. Limitation: This result is used together with other tests to help diagnose the cause. Next step: Omit
  • An AMH test can tell you the size of your ovarian reserve but cannot tell you about the health of your eggs or predict whether you'll be able to get pregnant.
  • An AMH test alone cannot diagnose PCOS.
  • AMH test results cannot predict how long you have until menopause.

What to do next

Omit

  • Ask your healthcare provider to explain what your AMH test results mean for your fertility based on your age and other test results.
  • If you have questions about test results, talk with your provider.
  • Omit

Evidence source

U.S. National Library of Medicine: Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test

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