Help Understanding low AMH

[Elle_9]

Hello all,

I recently had my AMH checked and I was saddened to hear its low for my age. I have tried to find success stories of people with a similar reading but it seems there are different scales.

My reading came back as 5.0 And my age range for 35-39 is pmol/L 1.1 - 53.5

The clinic gave me these ranges: Ref Ranges:

Age 20 - 24 ( 8.7 - 83.6)

Age 25 - 29 ( 6.4 - 70.3)

Age 30 - 34 ( 4.1 - 58.0)

Age 35 - 39 ( 1.1 - 53.5)

Age 40 - 44 ( 0.2 - 39.1)

Age 45 - 50 ( 0.1 - 19.3)

The reference intervals provided represent the 2.5th to 97.5th percentiles for Elecsys AMH measurements in healthy adult women.

When I read online people talk about very different figures like low AMH of 0.2 so I wondered if anyone could translate what my 5.0 pmol/L would be on a different scale.

Also I have hypothyroidism so feeling very down that the combination of age, low AMH, high bmi and thyroid means successful pregnancy is about as likely as catching a unicorn.

[Hidden]

I’m not sure what my levels are but I know when I did get them checked last year they was quite good and I have just been recently diagnosed with two severe conditions which can effect egg quality which are pcos and endometriosis stage 4 (the worst case) and I think I’ve had them all my life. I’m only 24. But because these conditions effect egg quality and have destroyed other parts of my reproductive organs and doesn’t seem that they’ve touched my eggs then I’m guessing it’s also about diet too. I do eat quite healthy when I want to and also take different supplements which can help. I take omega 3 capsules which are really good for egg health, evening primrose oil which is good for balancing hormones and also royal jelly is supposed to be really good for your eggs too. I also drink mint peppermint tea which is good for balancing hormones and is good for your eggs too. All these supplements help your eggs and hormones and balancing out your hormones can help your amh levels rise. I’d advise to try some of these

I hope this makes you feel a little better and helps X

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Elle_9. Basically, an AMH above 15 is ideal. However, we can usually work with an AMH above 4 providing your FSH is within normal range which is roughly between 2 and 10. Your thyroid gland produces a hormone too, so should be regulated with medication if not within normal range, and checked annually to ensure correct dosage. BMI should be 19-30 preferably. Lecture over, don’t mock the unicorns - they are around! Joking aside, I do hope some suitable treatment will be available with success. Thinking of you. Diane

[anna0908]

I fell pregnant naturally at 39. My amh 2 years earlier was 5.3 so am sure it was much lower at time I conceived. So definitely more chance of pregnancy than catching a unicorn! Don't give up hope xx

[Cyantist]

It would be 0.7 on the ng/ml scale. Mine was either 4.7 or 10.7 depending on which of the results you believe. I did need ivf but it worked first time. I don't think AMH is as important as some people tell you it is!

[Tezzabell86]

I have low AMH levels for my age of 31. Ideally for my age they should be around 19.7 mine came back as 6.1 and I wasn’t ovulating either so IVF was our best option and the sooner we did IVF the better the chances are as our consultant was concerned more about my AMH levels over not ovulating. So we began our first IVF treatment last October and I’m currently 32 weeks and 2 days pregnant xxx

[Ekjones86 in reply to Tezzabell86]

Mine were exactly the same! Came back at 6 and I felt devastated. Also 31...am now 13 weeks pregnant. Not long to go now for you...good luck with everything 😃 xx

[Tezzabell86 in reply to Ekjones86]

I was devastated too. The hospital phoned me at work to tell me mine and I worked in a nursery at the time. Congratulations by the way. Not long now. I finish work next Friday and thank you xxx

[ShelboBaggins76]

AMH is typically used to assess ovarian reserve but shouldn’t be assessed in isolation, it should also be reviewed alongside FSH and Antral Follicle Count (AFC). It should only really be relevant in the context of IVF as your level is used as an indicator as to how well you’ll respond to treatment. Some clinics and NHS will have a cut-off for treatment for this reason.

The ranges below apply regardless of age:

Optimal Fertility 28.6 - 48.5

Satisfactory Fertility 15.7 - 28.6

Low Fertility 2.2 - 15.7

Very Low / undetectable0.0 - 2.2

High Level >48.5

I had mine tested last year via NHS and my level was 1.1 which is in the very low/undetectable range and consultant basically told me it was pretty much the end of the road for me and I was discharged as due to my age (41) my AMH was too low to qualify for NHS funding. I was pretty devastated by this news as I’d only met my partner at 39 and was never in the right position to have the children I’d so much longed for until I met him. However we found out we’d conceived naturally 3 weeks later so it proved that despite me having a low supply of eggs, it only takes one egg. Sadly that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage but it gave me hope that I can still get pregnant and it’s more than likely a quality rather than quantity issue at my age.

I would say don’t get too hung up on AMH levels if your trying naturally, it just may take a little while longer but whether you are trying naturally or via IVF I would look into supplements to boost egg quality as regardless of how many eggs you have left, quality can decline with age. Ubiquinol (CoQ10) is one of the best supplements to take for egg quality.

I’m personally about to start my first round of IVF privately next month, and due to my low AMH I’m likely to only produce 1-4 eggs so no point giving me high doses of drugs to get more eggs especially as higher doses may impact quality so I’m on a protocol involving lower doses plus taking supplements to boost egg quality.

Don’t lose hope and I would definitely focus on things you can improve, for example look to make sure your thyroid is within optimal range for fertility and aim to lower your BMI (you may find that the 2 are linked) xx

[Tiffs]

My AMH was 5.8 when I was 36 I was told I would struggle to conceive without the assistance of IVF. I am now 3 months off being 38 and 7 weeks pregnant nautically and I am sure my AMH would have lowered potentially if I had it tested again. Never give up hope!

[Aimskidd]

Hi Elle- sadly I was in the low amh range ( 0.5) and I'm 33. I tried a private full stimm ivf cycle - and as they expected - cycle was abandoned as I didn't produce more than 1 egg. I have now gone down the route using a donor egg. We went to Barcelona- I am now 10 weeks pregnant with my first attempt . Xx

[CeeCee1982]

Hi, Elle_9 I had a very low AMH level (<4) and, after the first ICSI attempt was unsuccessful, the doctor spoke about donor eggs which was not a route I personally wanted to go down. I was put on the highest protocol again but was given fostamin and menopur 2nd time. Thankfully, the second round was successful and 6 eggs were retrieved compared to 2 the first time. One embryo made it to day 5 and became our twin boys. As mentioned above, you only need 1 egg so please do not worry about your AMH level as it may not even matter.

I wish you all the luck and best wishes possible. Xxx

[Elle_9]

Thanks so so much to everyone for your lovely replies, suggestions and for sharing your personal experiences.

Sorry for the delay and that I’ve not had a chance to reply separately.

It sounds like iVF might be the way forward for us. I’m 39 so very aware of the statistics and that now is not the time to hang around. I’m really struggling with other health problems and high bmi due to thyroid so I’m wondering what my options could be regarding freezing.

I’ve been I touch with a local clinic and also awaiting fsh results.

Thanks again everyone