7. How to Test AMH: Procedure, Timing, and Cost

AMH testing is a simple blood draw — no fasting required, no specific timing in your cycle. This is one of its major advantages over other fertility tests like FSH, which must be drawn on Day 2-4 of your cycle.

The Testing Process

  • Your doctor or a lab technician draws a blood sample from your arm — the same as any routine blood test.

  • The sample is sent to a laboratory that uses a validated AMH assay (most commonly the Roche Elecsys or Beckman Coulter method).

  • Results are typically available within 2-5 business days .

  • Your doctor interprets the result in the context of your age, symptoms, and other test results.

Cost of AMH Testing

  • United States: $80-250 (often covered by insurance when ordered by a fertility specialist)

  • United Kingdom: £60-120 privately; free on the NHS if medically indicated

  • Australia: AUD $70-150 (Medicare rebate may apply)

  • Canada: CAD $95-200 (provincial coverage varies)

  • At Luohu Hospital (Shenzhen): Approximately $15-25 USD — included in the standard pre-IVF workup

When Should You Test AMH?

  • If you are planning to conceive and want to understand your ovarian reserve, especially if you are 30+

  • If you are considering egg freezing for fertility preservation

  • If you have been trying to conceive for 6+ months (35+) or 12+ months (under 35)

  • If you have risk factors for diminished ovarian reserve: family history of early menopause, endometriosis, prior ovarian surgery, or chemotherapy

  • If you are preparing for IVF — AMH guides your medication protocol

Pro tip: If you’re planning IVF abroad with FertiJourney, you can get your AMH tested in your home country before traveling. We’ll review your results during your free initial consultation and help you understand what they mean for your treatment plan at Luohu Hospital.

8. Natural Ways to Support Egg Quality

While you cannot increase the number of eggs you have, you can influence the quality of the eggs you do have. Egg quality is arguably more important than quantity — a single high-quality egg has far better pregnancy potential than multiple poor-quality eggs. The following strategies have evidence supporting their role in optimizing egg health:

Diet and Nutrition

  • Mediterranean diet: A 2018 Harvard study found that women who adhered most closely to a Mediterranean diet before IVF had 40% higher clinical pregnancy rates . Emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish, olive oil, and nuts.

  • Antioxidant-rich foods: Berries, dark leafy greens, dark chocolate (70%+ cocoa), and green tea are rich in antioxidants that protect eggs from oxidative stress.

  • Avoid trans fats and excessive sugar: These promote inflammation and insulin resistance, both of which impair egg quality.

Evidence-Based Supplements

  • Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) — Ubiquinol form, 200-600 mg daily: Supports mitochondrial function in aging eggs. A 2018 RCT in Fertility and Sterility found that CoQ10 supplementation improved ovarian response and reduced aneuploidy rates in women over 35.

  • Vitamin D — 1,000-2,000 IU daily: Test your levels first. Vitamin D receptors are present in ovarian tissue, and deficiency is linked to poorer IVF outcomes.

  • DHEA — 25-75 mg daily (under medical supervision only): Some studies suggest DHEA may improve egg yield and quality in women with diminished ovarian reserve. It must be prescribed and monitored by a doctor.

  • Omega-3 fatty acids — 1,000-2,000 mg DHA/EPA daily: Reduces inflammation and supports hormone production. A 2022 study linked higher omega-3 levels to improved IVF pregnancy rates.

Lifestyle Factors

  • Quit smoking: The CDC reports that smoking accelerates ovarian aging by up to 10 years and is associated with 50% higher miscarriage risk.

  • Limit alcohol: Even moderate drinking (3-6 drinks/week) has been associated with reduced IVF success rates.

  • Avoid endocrine disruptors: BPA, phthalates, and parabens — found in plastics, fragrances, and cosmetics — can interfere with hormone function. Use glass containers, fragrance-free products, and natural cleaning supplies.

  • Sleep 7-8 hours nightly: Sleep deprivation disrupts melatonin and cortisol, which can impair egg maturation.

  • Moderate exercise: 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 days per week. Avoid extreme exercise (>4 hours/week of vigorous activity), which has been associated with reduced fertility.

  • Maintain a healthy BMI (19-30): Both underweight and obesity negatively affect egg quality and IVF outcomes.

Important: These strategies take time to show effect. Because follicles begin their development approximately 90 days before ovulation , you need at least 3 months of consistent lifestyle changes to meaningfully impact the eggs that will be retrieved during IVF. Start today — your future eggs depend on it.

9. How FertiJourney Helps With Low Ovarian Reserve

Women with low AMH often face a challenging reality: they may need multiple IVF cycles to accumulate enough eggs and embryos for a successful pregnancy. In the US or UK, the cost of 3-4 cycles can exceed $60,000-$100,000 — financially devastating for most families. This is where FertiJourney changes the equation.

At Luohu Hospital in Shenzhen , a complete IVF cycle costs approximately $4,500-$6,000 USD — roughly 65% less than US prices. For a woman with low AMH who needs multiple cycles, this cost difference is transformative: three cycles in Shenzhen cost less than one cycle in the US.

Why Choose FertiJourney for Low Ovarian Reserve

  • Specialized DOR protocols: Luohu Hospital’s fertility specialists have extensive experience with diminished ovarian reserve. They offer advanced protocols including duo-stim (two stimulations in one cycle), estrogen priming, and microdose flare — protocols that maximize egg yield from limited ovarian reserve.

  • Integrated TCM approach: Unique to China, Luohu Hospital combines Western IVF with traditional Chinese medicine — acupuncture, herbal therapy, and dietary guidance. Many women with low AMH report improved response when TCM is integrated with their IVF protocol.

  • PGT-A available: For women with low AMH, each embryo is precious. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) helps identify chromosomally normal embryos, maximizing the chance of pregnancy from each transfer. Luohu Hospital offers PGT-A as part of their standard IVF package.

  • Transparent multi-cycle pricing: We offer multi-cycle IVF packages with clear pricing, so you can plan financially from the start. No hidden fees, no surprise billing.

  • Full English support: From your initial video consultation to daily updates during treatment, every interaction is in English. Our medical interpreters accompany you to all hospital appointments.

Take the first step: Your AMH level gives you information — now it’s time to use it. Book a free consultation with the FertiJourney medical team. We’ll review your AMH results, discuss your options, and create a personalized treatment plan — with no obligation.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good AMH level for IVF? ▾

For IVF, an AMH level between 1.0 and 4.0 ng/mL is generally considered optimal. This range is associated with a good ovarian response to stimulation medications, producing an adequate number of eggs without excessive risk of OHSS. Levels below 1.0 ng/mL may indicate diminished ovarian reserve and a lower egg yield per cycle, while levels above 4.0 ng/mL may suggest PCOS and increased OHSS risk. However, AMH is just one piece of the puzzle — your age, antral follicle count (AFC), and overall health all contribute to your IVF prognosis. A woman with low AMH but young age and good egg quality can still have excellent IVF outcomes.

Can I get pregnant naturally with low AMH? ▾

Yes, it is absolutely possible to get pregnant naturally with low AMH. AMH measures the quantity of remaining eggs, not their quality. As long as you are ovulating regularly and have at least one healthy egg per cycle, natural conception is possible. A landmark 2021 study in JAMA followed 750 women trying to conceive naturally and found that those with low AMH had the same 12-month pregnancy rates as those with normal AMH. The key challenge with low AMH is that your window of opportunity is shorter — if you are trying to conceive naturally and have low AMH, doctors often recommend a more proactive approach and a shorter timeline (3-6 months of trying) before seeking fertility treatment.

Does AMH fluctuate from month to month? ▾

AMH levels are relatively stable throughout the menstrual cycle, which is why AMH can be drawn on any day — unlike FSH, which must be tested on Day 2-4 of your cycle. However, AMH can show modest fluctuations (10-20%) between cycles due to lab variation, stress, illness, or hormonal changes. For this reason, a single borderline result should be interpreted with caution. Significant declines over 6-12 months, however, may indicate progressive ovarian aging. If you receive an unexpectedly low AMH result, consider repeating the test in 1-2 months for confirmation before making major decisions.

Can AMH levels be increased naturally? ▾

There is currently no proven way to significantly increase AMH levels or reverse ovarian aging. AMH reflects your ovarian reserve — the number of eggs you were born with — which naturally declines with age. However, certain lifestyle interventions may support egg quality and slightly optimize AMH levels: vitamin D supplementation (low vitamin D can artificially suppress AMH, and correcting deficiency may increase AMH by 10-20%), CoQ10 for mitochondrial health, DHEA (under medical supervision for diminished ovarian reserve), reducing stress through mindfulness or yoga, and maintaining a healthy weight. These strategies improve the quality of the remaining eggs, which is ultimately more important than the AMH number itself. Be skeptical of products or protocols that claim to “reverse” low AMH — they are not supported by scientific evidence.

What AMH level is too low for IVF with own eggs? ▾

There is no universally agreed-upon AMH cutoff below which IVF is futile. Most clinics will attempt IVF with a woman’s own eggs even with AMH as low as 0.1-0.2 ng/mL, particularly if she is under 40 and has detectable antral follicles on ultrasound. The success rates are lower, but not zero. Some clinics may recommend donor eggs when AMH is below 0.1 ng/mL and the patient is over 42, but this decision is highly individual. What matters more than the absolute AMH number is the response to stimulation: if you consistently produce 1-2 eggs per cycle that fertilize and develop normally, continuing with your own eggs may be reasonable. At Luohu Hospital, our specialists will give you an honest assessment based on your complete fertility profile — not just a single number.