Since launching our BioSURE Tests, our Ovarian Reserve Test which measures your AMH levels, is one of the most popular tests and certainly one that generates a lot of questions. So we thought it might be helpful to put this blog together to answer some of your questions in one place!
What is an Ovarian Reserve test?
Ovarian Reserve testing can provide an indication as to the number of ‘healthy’ eggs that remain in your ovaries that are capable of being fertilised – known as your ‘ovarian reserve’.
The BioSURE Ovarian Reserve test assesses your ovarian reserve by measuring the amount of Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) in your blood sample, the hormone that plays a vital role in female reproductivity. This may be helpful to know if you are trying to get pregnant or are suffering symptoms and suspect you may be entering menopause.
A single test alone cannot diagnose menopause or fertility problems, but it can provide insight which in turn can help you understand whether you are entering menopause, or if you are struggling to get pregnant, for example.
A test result that is outside of the expected range is usually diagnosed with further tests so if you have unexpected levels of AMH from your test, it may be worth speaking to your doctor to get further tests performed.
What is Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)?
AMH is a protein produced in the ovarian follicles (small fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries that secrete hormones and have the potential to release eggs). The level of AMH in blood is used to reflect the ovarian reserve which is the remaining number of follicles within the ovaries that are capable of producing an egg for fertilisation.
Levels of AMH naturally decline with age. To keep levels healthy, it's helpful to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a well-balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and managing stress.
Why test AMH levels?
AMH levels are tested to check for any imbalances that may affect a woman's fertility and monitoring AMH levels over time may also be recommended for optimal fertility management.
AMH levels indicate a woman's egg reserve and fertility status. A normal AMH level suggests healthy egg reserve and better chances of natural pregnancy, but it's important to consult a doctor for any concerns. A high AMH level may indicate a plentiful egg supply, increasing chances of natural or assisted pregnancy, while a low AMH level may suggest lower egg reserve and difficulty in conceiving, requiring further evaluation and fertility treatments.
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) levels also play a crucial role in fertility assessment, with normal ranges varying based on menstrual cycle and menopause status. Abnormal FSH levels can also indicate issues like menopause, PCOS, hypogonadism, or pituitary gland disorders, requiring further evaluation and treatment.
It is important to note that some types of contraceptive pill can affect your results, so if you are going to discuss your results with your GP please mention if you are using contraception of any kind. If you are stopping taking the pill, we recommend waiting until your periods are regular again before taking your test. Also discuss with your GP if you have any medical problems or are taking any medication that you think may have impacted your result.
An example of your Ovarian Reserve Test Result
Your results
Your results will be shown as above on the coloured scale. On this example you can see that the black arrow is pointed towards the higher end of the scale. This indicates the level (ng/ml) of Anti-Müllerian Hormone in your blood sample.
The table below shows the levels of AMH. A normal range of AMH is 1 - 1.5 ng/ml.
| Hormone Level | AMH (ng/ml |
| High | Over 4.0 ng/ml |
| Normal | 1.5 - 4.0 ng/ml |
| Low - Normal | 1.0-1.5 ng/ml |
| Low | 0.5 - 1.0 ng/ml |
| Very low | Less than 0.5ng/ml |
The table below shows the average AMH levels by age.
| Age | Median AMH levels (ng/ml) |
| Post puberty - Under 30 | 2.91 ng/ml |
| 30-34 | 2.42 ng/ml |
| 35-37 | 2.03 ng/ml |
| 38-40 | 1.5 ng/ml |
| 41-42 | 0.92 ng/ml |
| 43 | 0.59 ng/ml |
| Over 44 | Less than 0.5 ng/ml |
What do my results mean?
A normal AMH level indicates that a woman's egg reserve is within a healthy range, and she may have a better chance of becoming pregnant naturally. However, even if you have a normal AMH level, it's important to speak with your doctor if you have any concerns or symptoms related to your fertility.
A high AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) result suggests that a woman may have a plentiful supply of eggs in her ovaries, which could increase the chances of getting pregnant naturally or with fertility treatments. However, it can also be an indicator of other conditions such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) other factors and consultation with a healthcare provider are important to fully understand the implications and develop a tailored treatment plan.
A low AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) blood test result can indicate a lower egg reserve in a woman's ovaries, which may make it more difficult to become pregnant. This can be caused by a number of factors, such as age or certain medical conditions. Your doctor may recommend fertility treatments such as IVF (in-vitro fertilization) or suggest you seek a specialist for further evaluation.
What can I do to improve my Ovarian Reserve?
There is nothing specifically that you can do to increase your ovarian reserve, largely this is determined by genetics and age, although following a healthy lifestyle, stopping smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight is recommended.
If you have any further questions about your AMH test result or would like more information in general, please feel free to contact our experienced team at info@biosure.co.uk or on Whatsapp 07763 489170 who will be happy to help.