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A fertility blood test checks your reproductive health to rule out infertility issues. It involves testing various hormones from your blood sample to determine the underlying cause and, thus, suggest treatments. The test is also helpful in tracking your fertility treatment progress by checking hormone levels at various stages.
It is best to let your doctor interpret your blood test results, but you can stay informed to gain a better understanding.
Blood Tests for Advanced Fertility
Blood tests for advanced fertility involve testing various hormone levels in your blood to check your ovarian function. It also helps in determining the success of your fertility treatments.An advanced fertility blood test detects follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), and inhibin B levels in your blood. The antral follicle count (AFC) is also crucial in fertility assessment. It requires a transvaginal ultrasound.
- FSH: This hormone is important in understanding the egg growth in your follicles.
- Estradiol: This is an estrogen type produced by your ovaries. Estradiol normally suppresses FSH as part of the hormonal regulation cycle. However, abnormally high estradiol levels at certain times, such as the early follicular phase during fertility testing, may be a concern for conception. The level also fluctuates during your menstrual cycle, making it an unreliable indicator of fertility.
- AMH: This hormone test is the most reliable during fertility testing. The levels indicate the egg count in your ovaries. With a higher number of eggs, you have a better chance of conception.
- Inhibin B: Both males and females produce this hormone in their respective reproductive organs. It helps assess your ovarian function and fertility. In males, it assesses their testicular function.
What is Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)?
The health of your ovarian reserve and its functioning are detected by the presence of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH). Your ovaries produce AMH during your most reproductive years.The AMH levels rise in girls from birth and reach their peak around 25 years of age. The AMH level then decreases with age due to a reduction in the number of eggs. It becomes undetectable after menopause.
AMH levels also help predict the success of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the menopausal age.
What is Inhibin B?
Inhibin B hormone determines the overall reproductive health and function of both males and females. Inhibin B regulates FSH secretion through negative feedback, helping to maintain hormonal balance.Inhibin B’s clinical relevance is primarily related to pubertal and adult reproductive function, and its levels during infancy are generally not a focus in clinical assessments. The level remains low until puberty, and then it reaches another peak around 20 to 30 years of age. It then continues to reduce with age.
Inhibin B levels change throughout your menstrual cycle, reaching the highest levels in your early follicular phase. The higher level reflects a good number of ovarian follicles.
AMH and Inhibin B Test for Fertility
Together, AMH and inhibin B provide a picture of your ovarian reserve and are used alongside FSH and estradiol to evaluate fertility.As you age, the number and quality of your eggs decline, impacting fertility. These hormone levels help indicate that decline and monitor response to fertility treatments. Both hormones are commonly tested when couples face difficulty conceiving.
In males, inhibin B testing complements FSH and semen analysis for accurate fertility assessment.
Interpretation of Fertility Blood Tests
When you are trying to conceive or start IVF, the high or low levels of AMH and inhibin B can indicate your fertility.Interpretation of AMH Levels
The normal range of AMH levels in reproductive years is between 1.0 and 4.0 ng/mL, and for successful in vitro fertilisation (IVF), it is typically between 1.0 and 3.5 ng/mL. The normal AMH levels only show the health of your ovaries and do not guarantee a successful pregnancy.Low levels indicate fewer eggs or declining ovarian function, resulting in reduced fertility. This also means that you may likely not respond well to the IVF procedure.
High levels: It indicates an excessive response to IVF procedures, requiring a treatment plan to suit your condition.
Undetectable or very low levels: It is common for female infants and women after menopause.
Interpretation of Inhibin B Levels
The inhibin B levels have different normal ranges based on age and sex. If you have low inhibin levels in your reproductive years, the chances of conceiving are low. For females, it is normal to have inhibin B levels between 2.91 and 341 ng/L.A lower inhibin B level in males is linked to problems with sperm production. The normal range is between 25 and 325 ng/l.
However, the inhibin levels alone cannot determine that you are infertile. It just shows an issue, and you may require other tests to rule out infertility.
The blood test for fertility is a crucial aspect that reveals your overall reproductive health. They also help your doctor understand your body’s responsiveness to advanced fertility treatments when you need them. The AMH and inhibin B hormones in your blood help identify issues with your ovarian function. The normal ranges of these hormones are crucial for your fertility. However, you may need other hormonal tests to rule out infertility.
FAQs on How to Interpret Advanced Fertility Blood Tests (like AMH, Inhibin B)
- How do you interpret AMH results?
A high level of AMH in your blood gives you a better chance of conception because of the available egg count. The low levels indicate that viable eggs are present, which can lead to difficulty in conception. In some cases, the high AMH levels may indicate polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). - What is the normal range for the inhibin B test?
For males above 18 years of age, the inhibin B levels should be less than 325 ng/l. For females aged 18 years and above, reference ranges may vary between laboratories and depend on factors such as age, menstrual cycle phase, and clinical context. Therefore, values should be interpreted accordingly rather than using a fixed cutoff.
