Serum AMH levels

 

AMH Test (Anti-Müllerian Hormone): A Simple Guide for Everyone

Most people have never heard of the AMH test. Even many doctors outside fertility and endocrinology don’t use it often. This short guide explains—in plain language—what AMH is, who needs the test, and what the results can (and cannot) tell you.

Key Point (One-Minute Summary)

• AMH is a hormone made by the ovaries (in females) and testicular tissue (in males and babies).
• It’s a simple blood test that helps assess egg reserve in women and the presence of working testicular tissue in babies/children.
• AMH is not a routine test, but it can guide important decisions in fertility and certain childhood conditions.

What is AMH?

AMH stands for Anti-Müllerian Hormone. In women, small follicles in the ovaries release AMH. In male babies/children, working testicular tissue releases AMH. Measuring AMH in the blood helps doctors understand how the reproductive system is functioning.

Who might need an AMH test?

Women

• Fertility concerns: To check if your egg reserve is average for your age.
• IVF planning: Helps plan the dose of fertility medicines (low AMH may need higher doses; higher AMH may need lower doses).
• PCOS symptoms: Irregular/no periods, acne, extra facial/body hair, hair thinning, weight gain, or dark skin patches.
• Ovarian cancer care: In some cases, AMH can help monitor treatment or check for return of disease.

Male Babies/Children

• Undescended testicles: If the scrotum looks empty, AMH can help show whether healthy testicular tissue is present inside the body.
• Ambiguous genitalia: When genital appearance isn’t clearly male or female, AMH (with other tests like chromosomes, hormones, and ultrasound) helps find the cause and confirm sex.

What the AMH test can tell you

• Women: Gives an estimate of egg reserve and helps tailor fertility treatment plans.
• Babies/Children: Suggests whether there is functioning testicular tissue present.

What AMH cannot tell you

• It does not guarantee pregnancy or predict the exact time of menopause.
• It does not diagnose every fertility problem on its own. It should be interpreted with other tests and your medical history.
• “Normal” values can differ between labs and ages, so results must be read in context.

How is the test done?

1. A small sample of blood is taken from your arm.
2. No special preparation is usually needed.
3. Results are interpreted with other tests (e.g., hormones, ultrasound, and, where needed, chromosome testing).

Important in Children

In a male baby with an empty scrotum, an AMH test can be very helpful to check if there is active testicular tissue inside the body. Early diagnosis helps plan timely treatment and protects long-term health.

Common Questions (FAQ)

Is AMH a routine blood test?

No. It’s not ordered for everyone, which is why many people—and some doctors—know less about it. It’s especially useful in fertility and certain pediatric evaluations.

Does a higher AMH always mean better fertility?

Not always. Extremely high AMH can suggest PCOS, while very low AMH suggests low egg reserve. Fertility depends on many factors besides AMH.

Can AMH diagnose PCOS by itself?

No. It supports the diagnosis but must be considered with symptoms, ultrasound, and other hormone tests.

Do I need to fast or come on a specific cycle day?

Usually no fasting is needed. AMH varies less across the cycle than other hormones, but follow your clinician’s instructions.

Take-Home Message

• AMH helps estimate egg reserve in women and detect working testicular tissue in babies/children.
• It guides decisions in IVF, supports PCOS evaluation, and can help monitor certain ovarian cancers.
• It’s most useful when combined with other tests and a clinician’s assessment.

Note: This article is for education only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss your personal results with a qualified clinician.

Note:

If AMH is raised in an adult hairy male, it may indicate overactive Sertoli cells or, rarely, a testicular tumor, but by itself it doesn’t tell much about fertility, testosterone, or body hair. It should always be interpreted with other hormone tests and imaging.