AMH Test Insights for Fertility Specialists
Fertility clinicians and other healthcare practitioners can perform a variety of tests to assess a woman’s reproductive health and fertility potential - from pelvic ultrasounds to standard ovulation testing.
One of those tests, the Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test, is generating increased interest and gaining momentum among medical professionals.
A survey of 796 infertility clinics worldwide, representing nearly 600,000 In vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, indicated that 60% reported to test AMH first. An additional 54% reported AMH level as the best test for evaluating ovarian reserve, and 89% reported that AMH test results were extremely relevant or relevant to their clinical practice.
Though important, AMH level is historically not the most talked-about hormone test for women. But it is worth understanding, especially for medical professionals guiding women on their fertility journeys when trying to conceive.
Demand for AMH Tests Accelerates
As awareness of the importance of AMH levels increases, many women seek to understand what it means, why testing their level is important, when they should test, and what their AMH level means as they navigate their fertility journey with their trusted medical professional.
To demonstrate the momentum of this important fertility test and its increasing acceptance among healthcare professionals, the number of people searching for an AMH levels test has increased gradually since 2004, reaching its highest-ever recorded number in February of 2022, according to Google Trends:
Fertility specialists, clinics, obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYNs), women’s health and general practitioners, as well as patients are among the groups interested in testing AMH levels and using the results as an indicator within a woman’s fertility journey as it detects ovarian reserve (the number of eggs you have at the time of testing).
Broad Applications of the AMH Test
Many doctors and fertility specialists, including OBGYNs, now actively encourage patients over 30 years old to test their AMH level - even if they are not ready to try to conceive or are experiencing trouble conceiving, as it can help with planning for the future.
After an AMH test is completed and results are shared with a patient, if ovarian reserve is high, the patient may have a better chance of getting pregnant. If the ovarian reserve is low, it could mean a woman will produce fewer eggs during fertility treatment. A low AMH level does not indicate that the eggs are of poor quality, or that spontaneous conception may be difficult.
Given the high-stake results that AMH tests provide, it is imperative that healthcare providers and women rely on a certified diagnostic lab like IHD for testing support throughout the experience to ensure the delivery of timely, accurate results.
But an AMH test can do more than just inform women’s health or fertility specialists about the amount of egg supply a woman has remaining.
AMH levels detect more than just a biomarker for a woman’s fertility journey. While there is currently no test to measure egg quality, having your AMH test results explained can help predict how many eggs you’ll be able to retrieve during an egg freezing or IVF cycle. This is important information to accompany the unknown quality of one’s eggs - the other important piece of the puzzle.
An AMH test can also be utilized at women’s health and fertility clinics as a method to determine if patients are experiencing premature signs of ovarian failure or menopause, or if irregular cycles might be related to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Either way, an AMH test is a helpful tool for women to monitor their overall health, as well as specifically their fertility.
The Convenience & Utility of At-Home Fertility Tests
With increasing interest in testing AMH levels in patients and clinicians alike, and a range of practical scenarios where AMH test results can inform critical health related decisions, there has been a spike in demand for testing solutions that can be conducted in the privacy of a patient’s home and provide the accurate, reliable results that are needed. What’s driving interest in AMH tests? The steady confidence in their accuracy and the convenience of the testing process for both clinicians and patients alike, which has continually increased over the past decade.
According to a 2010 study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a quarter of women were labeled infertile by their tests, although in actuality, they had no more trouble getting pregnant than other study participants. Fast forward to today, the specificity and sensitivity of an AMH test is 80% and 78.95% accurate, respectively, providing an increased level of confidence for both patients and clinicians.
The fertility journey is a personal and private one. So, the increased availability of at-home AMH tests also makes it possible for patients to be more active participants in their own journey, whether in a clinician’s office or in the comfort of their own home.
The at-home AMH test from IHD, enables IVF patients in particular to test at the optimal point in their cycle to know their likelihood of successfully conceiving. When this information is shared with a healthcare provider, that data can then be used to develop a treatment plan moving forward.
Improving Service Through Expanded Capabilities
Fertility test results can potentially be anxiety inducing when they are received in a vacuum by untrained eyes, or the results are taken out of context.
It is important, especially for women who are taking the tests at home, to work with a lab such as IHD or other clinical partners to walk through results and understand the meaning behind the numbers.
AMH tests can serve as one of the best indicators for women on their fertility journey. Working with a qualified, certified AMH testing partner like IHD, provides clinicians with additional confidence in their services, and can also address any concerns or questions along the way.