Menu
Menu
You are born with your lifetime supply of eggs, and over time, these eggs gradually decrease in quantity. The good news is that a simple blood test gives an indication of the egg reserve. It’s called an AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) test.
AMH is a hormone secreted by cells in developing egg follicles. Research performed at Repromed has proven that AMH testing gives the best indication of your egg supply.
Your ovarian reserve, and subsequently fertility, gradually declines with age. However, your fertility may decline at a faster rate than expected, even though your menstrual cycles are normal.
The AMH test can identify those who may lose their fertility earlier than average and may help in deciding whether to start a family sooner or later.
In 75% of cases, the AMH levels can also help predict how someone will respond during IVF treatment. Your fertility doctor uses your AMH level to prescribe an appropriate dose of drugs to stimulate the ovaries to obtain a sufficient amount of eggs or to minimise the risk of hyper-stimulation.
AMH doesn’t change during the cycle so this blood test can be taken at any time, including while using oral contraception. Some patients may find that the contraceptive pill artificially lowers the AMH level and so the test may be repeated 8 weeks after stopping the pill. GPs can organise an AMH test, or Repromed can organise this.
The graph below shows the change in normal AMH range with age. The breadth and value of this range reduces with age, which reflects the diminishing ovarian reserve.
You can find out more information on our ReproFacts sheet, click here.
If you are new to Repromed, we offer a free 15 minute phone consultation with a fertility doctor to discuss your situation.
DipNurs
Megan leads the nursing team through the continually changing face of IVF. She works in a multidisciplinary team, providing the essential organization between the doctors and laboratory and ensuring communication between all departments.
Megan started her IVF nursing career in the United Kingdom, working in two large London clinic’s before returning to New Zealand. She is also the Secretary of Fertility Nurses of Australasia.
I love working with people and see nursing as a vocation, not a job. I usually spend my downtime absorbed in a good book and planning my next travel adventure.
