AMH is the headline fertility marker — and the most commonly misinterpreted one. A low AMH does not mean infertility, and a high AMH does not mean easy conception. Here's how to read it in context.
What AMH actually measures
AMH is produced by the small follicles in the ovaries. It reflects the size of the remaining egg pool — your ovarian reserve. It does not measure egg quality, which is the bigger driver of natural conception success.
Reading AMH by age
Age changes everything. A 'low' AMH at 28 means something very different than the same number at 42.
- •Under 30: typically 3.0–6.0 ng/mL
- •30–34: 2.0–4.0
- •35–39: 1.5–3.0
- •40+: >0.8 is reassuring
The fertility panel beyond AMH
AMH on its own is one data point. The full picture includes:
- •Day-3 FSH, LH and estradiol
- •Thyroid (full panel) — hypothyroidism quietly blocks ovulation and increases miscarriage risk
- •Progesterone (day 21) to confirm ovulation
- •Vitamin D, B12, ferritin, HbA1c
What 'low' AMH means in practice
Lower reserve usually does not mean you can't conceive naturally — quality matters more than quantity for natural cycles. It does mean IVF would produce fewer eggs per cycle, and it's information that helps with timing decisions if you're not trying yet.
Frequently asked
AMH itself reflects fixed biology, but the conditions for ovulation — thyroid, vitamin D, weight, sleep, stress — are very modifiable, and they matter more for natural conception.
Long-term hormonal contraception can transiently suppress AMH. Test 2–3 months after stopping for a true reading.