Highlights:
- What is the AMH test?
- Clinical significance of AMH
- What causes AMH levels to drop?
What is AMH?
AMH (ANTI MULLERIAN HORMONE) is a chemical substance secreted by very early developing follicles in a female ovary, namely, antral and pre-antral follicles. So it indirectly gives us an idea as to the number of such follicles in the ovary of a female individual.
What is the clinical significance of AMH?
In females the lesser the number of such antral and preantral follicles (which later on develop in each menstrual cycle to become eggs) , the lower the AMH levels in the person’s blood and vice versa (PCOD). This is what we want to know through the AMH test in a female person’s blood.
What causes AMH levels to drop?
- AGE – Increasing the age of a woman will lead to consistently decreasing AMH levels.
- PCOD – The serum AMH level is two- to three-fold higher among women with PCOD.
- ENDOMETRIOSIS – It can cause the destruction of ovarian follicles by destroying normal ovarian tissue.
- OVARIAN SURGERY – Ovarian cyst surgery can result in the removal of normal ovarian tissue or destruction of ovarian tissue by cautery leading to decreasing AMH.
- CHEMOTHERAPY – Decreases AMH levels.
- CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS – Long-term use can decrease levels up to 20%, but generally recovers to normal levels after 3-6 months of stoppage of pill intake.
- OBESITY – For infertile women of later reproductive age (above 35 yrs) higher BMI causes AMH to decrease by up to one-third.
What is the normal range for anti Mullerian hormone?
Age Group – AMH Range
- < 26 yrs – 3.6
- 27-34 yrs – 3.3
- 35-39 yrs – 1.6
- 40-44 yrs – 0.9
- 45-49 yrs – 0.3
- 50-54 yrs – 0.05
- > 54 yrs – 0.01
In order to ensure that you get the best gynaecology treatment, consult the best gynaecologist in Kolkata. It is advisable to go to a clinic in your vicinity as you will not be allowed to travel long-distance right after the surgery. For example, if you live in north Kolkata, try finding a good gynaecologist in North Kolkata to perform your operation. Also, follow Dr Deborjyoti Pal on Facebook to get the latest gynaecology updates.
