About these AMH levels...

[shadesofgold]

If you've had testing for Antimüllerian Hormone (AMH), what did your doctor indicate was the "normal" range?

I had a CD3 work-up this cycle to try to identify a potential cause for my short LPs (5 consecutive cycles with LPs between 8-10 days AL). Everything came back normal (estrogen, LH, FSH, T4, etc) but my AMH seems high at 10.9 ng/ml. When reporting my results to me, my OBGYN didn't identify this as abnormal. But the reference range that accompanied my result was 1.03-11.10 ng/ml for women my age. So my results seemed on the high side. In trying to find another explanation of what the normal thresholds are, I found that high or elevated levels can indicate PCOS. My level seems to be treated as high in the literature. This 2014 study reports that "Greater than 97% of women with ultrahigh AMH (>10 ng/mL) had PCOS." 

I'm not trying to jump to a diagnosis, just trying to better understand if my results are truly "ultrahigh".

[joy]

Your results are within the normal range for that lab. Normal ranges for other labs will differ. Honestly, I caution you against reading too much into it. It's really easy to spiral into a worry ball over something that isn't even on your doctor's radar as a problem. I'm completely guilty of this with my TSH/T4/T3 lab results. It really messed with my head so I'm trying to save you some of the worry and stress that I went through.

[joy]

Do you have any other symptoms of PCOS? Your test result plus other symptoms may imply PCOS so that might be on your doctor's mind. But, a test result must always be read in the context of a larger issue.

[shadesofgold]

Aug 13, 2015 16:06:01 GMT -5 joy said:

Your results are within the normal range for that lab. Normal ranges for other labs will differ. Honestly, I caution you against reading too much into it. It's really easy to spiral into a worry ball over something that isn't even on your doctor's radar as a problem. I'm completely guilty of this with my TSH/T4/T3 lab results. It really messed with my head so I'm trying to save you some of the worry and stress that I went through.

Thanks, especially about the note about ranges varying across labs. I was frustrated that the thresholds aren't easier to come by. I found several studies that never even give a number - they talk about what high levels could indicate without defining "high". I'm also feeling skeptical of my doctor on general. In her email about my results, she said my results made my a good candidate for Clomid. (Obviously I declined.)

[renbee]

Aug 13, 2015 16:08:12 GMT -5 joy said:

Do you have any other symptoms of PCOS? Your test result plus other symptoms may imply PCOS so that might be on your doctor's mind. But, a test result must always be read in the context of a larger issue.

This. PCOS is a syndrome, so having one indicator does not necessarily mean you have PCOS. Heck, you can have cysts on your ovaries and not be PCOS.

For reference, I have PCOS and my AMH is like 30 or something.

[Deleted]

Aug 13, 2015 16:16:02 GMT -5 renbee said:

Aug 13, 2015 16:08:12 GMT -5 joy said:

Do you have any other symptoms of PCOS? Your test result plus other symptoms may imply PCOS so that might be on your doctor's mind. But, a test result must always be read in the context of a larger issue.

This. PCOS is a syndrome, so having one indicator does not necessarily mean you have PCOS. Heck, you can have cysts on your ovaries and not be PCOS.

For reference, I have PCOS and my AMH is like 30 or something.

I have a long history of ovarian cysts and do not have PCOS.

Is it a 2/3 or 3/4 diagnosis? I can't ever remember.

[wanderingheart]

...I will never understand why people seem to WANT a PCOS dx.

If your other bloodwork was normal and you have a clear history of ovulating regularly, then you don't have PCOS.

Personal anecdote - my AMH levels were off the charts, not just "slightly elevated". I can't remember the exact number, but it was one of the highest my RE had seen. Bottom line, if your doctor isn't concerned don't go searching for trouble.

[shadesofgold]

Aug 13, 2015 16:08:12 GMT -5 joy said:

Do you have any other symptoms of PCOS? Your test result plus other symptoms may imply PCOS so that might be on your doctor's mind. But, a test result must always be read in the context of a larger issue.

No - not anything that raises flags for me. Some cystic acne and cramps throughout cycle, but nothing that couldn't be explained by a million other things.

[wanderingheart]

Aug 13, 2015 16:20:57 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Aug 13, 2015 16:16:02 GMT -5 renbee said:

This. PCOS is a syndrome, so having one indicator does not necessarily mean you have PCOS. Heck, you can have cysts on your ovaries and not be PCOS.

For reference, I have PCOS and my AMH is like 30 or something.

I have a long history of ovarian cysts and do not have PCOS.

Is it a 2/3 or 3/4 diagnosis? I can't ever remember.

2 out of 3.

[shadesofgold]

Aug 13, 2015 16:23:42 GMT -5 wanderingheart said:

...I will never understand why people seem to WANT a PCOS dx.

If your other bloodwork was normal and you have a clear history of ovulating regularly, then you don't have PCOS.

Personal anecdote - my AMH levels were off the charts, not just "slightly elevated". I can't remember the exact number, but it was one of the highest my RE had seen. Bottom line, if your doctor isn't concerned don't go searching for trouble.

Don't get me wrong I'm not asking for a diagnosis of pcos - just what the definition of normal AMH seems to be. The study on PCOS seemed relevant because it defined >10 as ultra high.

[bunnyfungo]

Aug 13, 2015 16:27:07 GMT -5 shadesofgold said:

Aug 13, 2015 16:23:42 GMT -5 wanderingheart said:

...I will never understand why people seem to WANT a PCOS dx.

If your other bloodwork was normal and you have a clear history of ovulating regularly, then you don't have PCOS.

Personal anecdote - my AMH levels were off the charts, not just "slightly elevated". I can't remember the exact number, but it was one of the highest my RE had seen. Bottom line, if your doctor isn't concerned don't go searching for trouble.

Don't get me wrong I'm not asking for a diagnosis of pcos - just what the definition of normal AMH seems to be. The study on PCOS seemed relevant because it defined >10 as ultra high.

But you got the definition of normal from your lab: 1.03-11.10 ng/ml. You're borrowing trouble.

[mugster]

shadesofgold, my AMH was around 7, and it was high enough to warrant a conversation initiated by my reproductive endocrinologist about whether or not I did have PCOS. We decided that I don't. However, that number combined with other factors, specifically my low 7 dpo progesterone (and short luteal phases), indicated to her that I had an ovulatory dysfunction. This site matches what my RE indicated as normal: www.advancedfertility.com/amh-fertility-test.htm, and my lab technically has the same reference ranges that you gave. So, I don't think you are borrowing trouble, but I also don't think you necessarily have PCOS. It does mean that if you eventually move onto fertility treatments, you are likely to be a high responder to fertility drugs.

[shadesofgold]

Aug 13, 2015 16:53:01 GMT -5 mugster said:

shadesofgold, my AMH was around 7, and it was high enough to warrant a conversation initiated by my reproductive endocrinologist about whether or not I did have PCOS. We decided that I don't. However, that number combined with other factors, specifically my low 7 dpo progesterone (and short luteal phases), indicated to her that I had an ovulatory dysfunction. This site matches what my RE indicated as normal: www.advancedfertility.com/amh-fertility-test.htm, and my lab technically has the same reference ranges that you gave. So, I don't think you are borrowing trouble, but I also don't think you necessarily have PCOS. It does mean that if you eventually move onto fertility treatments, you are likely to be a high responder to fertility drugs.

Thanks for this, mugster. It's really helpful.

[renbee]

FWIW, I have insanely high AMH and I responded well to ovulation induction medication (femara). I produced one good sized follicle in my most recent cycle. So don't worry yourself too much!