How long do I have?

[eventide13]

Hi all,

I'm a 32-year-old who recently took an AMH test. I was shocked to find the results to be low for my age at 6.76 pmol/l with a FSH of 13.7.

I know 6.76 pmol/l is still pretty good compared to some women, but my partner and I were not planning on having a child for a few years (thankfully we only want one).

Now I'm panicking about how long I really have. We'd want to wait at least 1 year (our wedding date) before we start trying, but do we even have that long?

I've booked a pelvic scan for Sunday to get more information and they have suggested I wait 3 months before testing my hormones again. But the test results gave no indication of how long I might have left to conceive.

Any insights appreciated.

Thank you!

There's no way of knowing unfortunately without repeat testing a year or so later. You could just have a low AMH but it may not be declining, or it could be in decline. To reassure you though, from an IVF perspective you would have very good chance of success at your age so I wouldn't panic that you need to rush. You can also still conceive naturally with a low AMH, it's just less likely. Mine was 6.0 age 31. Success first round of IVF same age. Repeat test age 34 showed same result. Failed first transfer for a sibling but I'm staying optimistic. Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for your response. It's really reassuring as I've been feeling devastated.

Just to clarify, at 34 you still had an AMH of 6.0, it hadn't changed at all?

I'm sorry to hear about the failed transfer. I hope it works out.

I'm hoping testing again in 3 months will give me some clarity about rate of decline.

Yes exactly, same number at 34 as I had at 31 for both AMH and AFC. I wouldn't bother retesting after 3 months personally, it won't tell you anything. AMH varies a bit month to month anyway. Our consultant advised annual review at the earliest might give some indication. It's highly unlikely your AMH will suddenly drop off a cliff, it doesn't really work like that.

AFC is important too, some people can have a low AMH but more reasonable AFC. AMH also doesn't reflect egg quality - yours will be good at your age and you are highly likely to be a good responder to IVF.

Personally if I were you I would park any further investigations at this point and try to just get on and enjoy life until you're ready to TTC. However, if you can't do that I would book in with a fertility clinic for full testing and professional advice. It's not great to look at these tests etc on an individual basis - they need to be looked at as a collective alongside other factors by an expert in the field so that you can understand the full picture and what that means for you.

Thank you very much

@eventide13 my amh was way lower. 4.2. A year later it was at 2.2. It's really hard as a previous poster mentioned, to know how fast numbers are declining and a single test only gives a snapshot xx

Thank you both. I had a pelvic scan today and they said that my AFC is good, around 15 or 16, so I feel more calm. I will retake the AMH test later on and see how it's progressed, but I don't feel in such a rush anymore.

As long as your amh comes back ok and your partner has his tests and they are ok then no reason why you can't wait x

I would start now, if I'm honest. I have two children now but it took years to conceive my second. If you do have problems conceiving, you will regret waiting. The worst that happens is you get married pregnant, which is no big deal. Delighted with my children, but the one thing I would have done differently is try and conceive sooner after my wedding when I was thirty.

Thanks for sharing. Were your difficulties conceiving caused by a low AMH?

I've also got low AMH (4.4) and I'm 35. I waited way to long to get tested - 3 years!! In hindsight, I should have done it sooner, but I was too scared.

Your AMH isn't too low and it just means your reserve is lower, not that your eggs aren't amazing quality. You only ovulate 1 egg each cycle anyway (well, usually!!). If I were you I wouldn't worry too much now, but when you start trying if nothing happens after 6 months, at least you've done some tests and can pick up getting support earlier, if indeed you need it. I think you're in a good position but don't panic about it. You may find you get pregnant quickly when you start trying. Enjoy your time now, and your wedding. Don't let the results push you into changing your path, just be mindful of them when you do start trying x