New blood test to help women assess their potential for getting pregnant

New Zealand fertility specialists, Repromed, are making a new blood test available which benefits women wanting a more accurate assessment of their potential fertility.

The Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) test has two major advantages. It allows clinicians to best assess the fertility of the remaining eggs in a woman’s ovaries (ovarian reserve), and it also assists women undergoing IVF fertility treatment as a predictor of their likely response to the fertility drugs given. The information AMH provides for women doing IVF means the potential for those at risk of severe Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is reduced because the clinician can more accurately adjust the drug dosage designed to stimulate their ovaries.

Internationally, Repromed is a world leader in published research on AMH testing. The group recently completed its alliance with two New Zealand clinics, Repromed Auckland and Repromed Christchurch, enabling them to introduce the test and a specific reference standard which helps the clinicians assess patients’ results.

Repromed Auckland Medical Director, Guy Gudex says the AMH test gives women vital information about the biological age of the eggs in their ovaries. “The biological age of a woman’s eggs may well differ from her chronological age. AMH is a more sensitive test to predict a woman’s likely chances of conceiving, particularly when used with the standard follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) test. FSH only lets us know if the woman has poor ovarian reserve when the quality of her eggs has already deteriorated significantly.

“As clinicians, once we know where a woman’s AMH levels sit on our reference range, we can give her some options which help manage her expectations around conceiving. If her AMH result is low we might encourage a couple to start planning their family earlier, rather than putting it off. Conversely, if the AMH result is normal or high, they know they have a bit more time if they want to put other priorities first.

AMH research recently conducted by Repromed in Australia, is the first in the world to show the AMH test is also a predictor of the risk of miscarriage in women.

Dr Kelton Tremellen, Deputy Medical Director of Repromed, Adelaide, says “We are finalising research, some of which has already been published[1], linking a low AMH level with an increased risk of miscarriage. This link between low AMH and miscarriage is especially apparent in young women aged under 35 years. An AMH test will give some women who have experienced recurrent miscarriage vital information on why this is occurring. It will also forewarn others that they may be more at risk of miscarriage, so their expectations can be managed, and they can exercise more caution.”

An AMH blood test requested by Repromed, can be collected by local designated laboratories. Repromed clinicians then assess result against the reference range, interpreting what this means for the patient.

Ends

Released on behalf of Repromed, by Network PR contact Clare England on (09) 306 5808 or 021 615 915

Dr Guy Gudex, Medical Director Dr Peter Benny, Medical Director
Repromed Auckland Repromed Christchurch
Ph: (09) 524 1222 or 021 752 679 Ph: (03) 375 4000 or 027 436 4245

Dr Kelton Tremellen
Deputy Medical Director
Repromed Adelaide
Mobile 61 0411297281
Office (Adelaide): 61 8 83338111

 

 

[1] Vol 14. No 5. 2007 602-610 Reproductive BioMedicine Online; www.rbmonline.com/Article/2720  on web 23 March 2007