Anti-Müllerian Hormone or commonly known as AMH based test has become one of the important tests in modern reproductive medicine. Whether you are trying to get pregnant naturally or exploring assisted reproductive technologies (ART), understanding about what is AMH, AMH levels can help you make informed decisions.
Although AMH was widely discussed in several articles online, this guide provides a brief science based explanation, what levels are good for pregnancy and how AMH levels interact with egg, egg quality, IVF treatment outcomes.
Table of Contents
What is an Anti-Müllerian Hormone?
Can AMH Predict Natural Pregnancy?
What is an Anti-Müllerian Hormone?
Anti-Müllerian Hormone has a manifold and complex effect on the development and the function of a variety of human tissues. Compare to boys, low levels of AMH are produced by girls, thus allowing the development of female productive organs.
AMH levels in young girls remain low until puberty, where ovaries begin to produce and increase it level naturally. AMH levels will steadily decline in women over their reproduction years, becoming very low and becoming undetectable after menopause.
AMH has a very big impact on monthly cyclical actions of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) during the process of egg maturation and release. Studies have shown that AMH levels may be useful in a woman's remaining egg maturation potential and check the chances of getting pregnant.
What is a Good AMH Level?
While AMH values varies based where is tested, ethnicity, body weight, and assay type reproductive endocrinologists generally use the following reference ranges:
| AMH (ng/mL) | Interpretation | Clinical Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 – 4.0 | Normal | Optimal range for conception. |
| 0.7 – 1.0 | Low-Normal | Slightly reduced reserve. |
| 0.3 – 0.7 | Low | Diminished ovarian reserve. |
| < 0.3 | Very Low | Highly diminished reserve. |
| > 4.0 | High | Often seen in PCOS condition. |
For most women, an AMH in the range 1.0 - 3.0 ng/ml is considered normal. These levels suggested that women has adequate ovarian reserve, predictable ovulatory cycles, good response to fertility medications if needed and reasonable timeframe for natural conception. However it's important to note that these numbers do not predict egg quality.
Can AMH Predict Natural Pregnancy?
The simple answer would be No, because a large number of studies have found that women with low AMH levels were just as likely to get pregnant naturally as women with normal AMH levels. AMH levels strongly correlate with the number of eggs retrieved during IVF but not with the ability of a single egg to be fertilized or implanted.
AMH levels do not influence the rate of chromosomal abnormalities in eggs. AMH simply reflects how many eggs remain, not how suitable the eggs are for fertilization.
Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels by Age
Women are naturally born with 1–2 million primordial follicles, but by puberty only 300,000–400,000 remain. With each menstrual cycle, hundreds of follicles start to grow, but only one (sometimes two) reach ovulation. Here is the age-related decline of AMH:
| Age | Typical AMH Range (ng/mL) | Clinical Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 3.0 – 5.0 | Peak reproductive years |
| 30 | 2.5 – 4.0 | Strong fertility potential |
| 35 | 1.5 – 3.0 | Gradual decline begins |
| 38 | 1.0 – 2.0 | Noticeable reduction in reserve |
| 40 | 0.5 – 1.5 | Low reserve; shorter fertile window |
| 42+ | < 1.0 | Significantly diminished reserve |
AMH levels drop over time due to several natural functions happening inside your body such as loss of follicles through atresia, reduced granulosa cell activity, declining sensitivity to FSH and age related oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This decline is natural, predictable and irreversible. Which is why AMH is one of the best biomarkers for assessing reproductive aging.
Can You Improve AMH Levels?
AMH levels itself cannot be increased, ovarian reserve is finite and follicles cannot be regenerated. However what you can improvise is egg quality, mitochondrial function and ovary health and response. This will significantly increase your chances of getting pregnant even if your AMH level is low.
- CoQ10 (Ubiquinol): Getting ubiquinol regularly boosts mitochondrial energy generation in the cells. It directly promotes mitochondrial ATP based energy synthesis within the oocytes.
- Vitamin D optimization: Vitamin D has various important roles in reproductive health. Women with low vitamin D levels often have lower AMH levels. Optimizing Vitamin D also helps hormonal balance.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3s (EPA and DHA) help in regulating inflammatory pathways that can have negative effects on the ovarian environment.
- Antioxidant-rich diet: Oxidation is a significant role in ovarian aging. Antioxidant-rich foods including berries, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and vegetables aid to neutralize free radicals.
- Maintaining a healthy BMI: High body fat levels boost estrogen production, resulting in hormonal imbalance, anovulation, and chronic inflammation. Overweight also disrupts insulin signaling, which has a direct impact on ovarian function, particularly in women with PCOS.
- Avoiding smoking and toxins: Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 compounds, the majority of which are hazardous to ovarian tissue. Minimizing exposure promotes healthier eggs and maintains long-term reproductive potential.
Limitations of the AMH Test
In the current situation AMH is one of the best biomarkers of ovarian reserve but it's not perfect.
- Vitamin D deficiency can lower AMH
- Smoking accelerates follicular atresia
- Obesity is associated with lower AMH
- Ovarian surgery reduces AMH significantly
- Chemotherapy damages granulosa cells
In Summary AMH level between 1.0 - 3.0 ng/ml is considered normal. AMH levels measure the eggs quantity not the quality of eggs or pregnancy chances. So when you are checking for AMH levels it is a useful tool for planning your pregnancy but not a final verdict.