Have you recently visited a fertility doctor for fertility treatments? Then, you might have heard them say something about your AMH levels.
AMH (Amti-Mullerian Hormone) is a glycoprotein hormone that your ovarian follicles produce. They are responsible for maturing the eggs inside the follicles.
Your doctor will take an AMH test to detect your ovarian reserve. Having too low AMH levels means low ovarian reserve.
But what does high AMH levels mean? Are they good? Is it possible to get pregnant with high AMH levels? Read this article to know the answers to all questions regarding high AMH levels.
Is It Possible To Get Pregnant With High AMH Level
Understand that the AMH level only tells about your ovarian reserve. It does not tell about your ability to get pregnant. Though low or high AMH can make pregnancy difficult, you can absolutely become pregnant if you follow some precautions and listen to your doctor’s advice.
Having higher than average AMH levels can either mean you have a higher number of eggs or that you have health conditions like PCOS. Discuss with your doctor and understand what you can do to increase your chances of a successful pregnancy with high AMH levels.
What Are The Normal AMH Levels?
The normal AMH levels for women differ according to their age groups. As you know, a good AMH level indicates a good ovarian reserve.
So your AMH levels will keep rising during your adolescence, be at their peak during your 20s, and start declining gradually as you age. Below are the normal AMH levels you must have to ensure you have a good ovarian reserve.
Normal AMH level: Between 1.0 ng/ml and 4.0 ng/ml (approx)
Low AMH level: below 1.0 ng/ml
High AMH level: above 4.0 ng/ml
What Is A Good AMH Level To Get Pregnant?
Whether it is natural pregnancy or through IVF, you need to have normal AMH levels (between 1.0 ng/ml and 4.0 ng/ml) to have a higher chance of pregnancy.
You can also get pregnant with high or low AMH levels. However, the chances are low, and you have to take some precautions to avoid complications.
Each age group has a minimum AMH level they should have. They are listed below.
| Age group | AMH level (approx) |
|---|---|
|
25–30 |
3.0 ng/ml |
|
30–35 |
2.5 ng/ml |
|
35–40 |
1.5 ng/ml |
|
40–45 |
1 ng/ml |
|
Above 45 |
0.5 ng/ml |
Is High AMH A Good Thing?
Sometimes, having high AMH labels can indicate that you have a higher ovarian reserve. However, they might also indicate ovarian issues like PCOS.
When you have PCOS, several cysts (fluid-filled sacs) will start forming in your ovaries. These cysts can also release AMH, resulting in high AMH levels. So, having a high AMH level is not always good.
A high AMH level also increases your chances of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome(OHSS), a condition that occurs when your ovaries overreact to the IVF injections. This can cause your ovaries to become swollen and painful.
It is best to have a normal AMH level between 1–4 ng/ml. This can ensure you have an adequate number of eggs and also don’t have hormonal issues like PCOS.
Importance Of High AMH Levels In IVF
Having a high AMH level means your fertility doctor can get a lot of eggs during the egg retrieval procedure. High AMH levels also ensure your ovaries react well to the hormonal injections and mature eggs for retrieval.
High levels of AMH have also been shown to be correlated with IVF success rate in some cases. They also help improve implantation and live birth rates in women with minimal infertility issues.
Conclusion
Having a high AMH level can either be a good sign or a bad sign. It is always important to not jump to conclusions and Consulting to your fertility doctor.
If your high AMH level indicates a bigger ovarian reserve, it is well and good. However, if your higher AMH level indicates an underlying issue, don’t panic. Discuss with your fertility doctor and understand what you need to overcome the situation and have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
FAQs
IVF treatments have better results in women with an AMH level between 1.0 and 4 ng/ml. Also, remember that AMH levels are not responsible for egg quality. They only mean you have a good ovarian reserve.
There may be other factors that can prevent you from getting pregnant. So, having the right AMH level does not guarantee IVF treatment success.
AMH levels influence pregnancy chances. Any woman between the ages of 25 and 30 with an AMH level of 2.5 ng/mL to 3.5 ng/mL has a greater probability of getting pregnant than older women or women with lower AMH levels.
Yes, you can definitely ovulate even with low AMH levels. Low AMH only indicates that you have a lower ovarian reserve and does not mean that you have no eggs to ovulate.
You can follow some healthy practices at home to improve your AMH levels. They are
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle,
- Adding nutrient-rich foods to your diet,
- Consuming multivitamins,
- Avoiding smoking & alcohol, etc.
