Fertility / IVF

Fertility testing evaluates reproductive hormone levels and ovarian reserve to guide treatment decisions for those trying to conceive, whether naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.

About 1 in 5 women in the US are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying. Infertility affects both men and women equally.(CDC)

Key Insight

AMH tells you about quantity (how many eggs), but not quality. A woman with low AMH can still conceive, while high AMH doesn't guarantee success. FSH, estradiol, and thyroid function together give the full picture.

1Primary Biomarkers

Core diagnostic markers for fertility / ivf. These are used to diagnose and monitor your condition.

AMH

Anti-Müllerian Hormone reflects ovarian reserve - the number of eggs remaining. Critical for IVF planning and predicting response to stimulation.

1.0-3.5 ng/mL (normal reserve). Below 1.0 suggests diminished reserve. Above 3.5 may indicate PCOS.

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone measured on cycle day 3. High FSH indicates the body is working harder to stimulate ovaries - a sign of diminished reserve.

Below 10 mIU/mL (day 3). Above 10 suggests diminished reserve. Above 25 indicates very low reserve.

LH

Luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation. The LH:FSH ratio matters - elevated LH relative to FSH suggests PCOS.

Similar to FSH (ratio ~1:1). LH:FSH ratio above 2:1 may indicate PCOS.

Estradiol

Estrogen level on cycle day 3. High baseline estradiol can mask elevated FSH and indicates reduced ovarian reserve.

Below 80 pg/mL on day 3. Elevated levels (>80) with normal FSH still suggests diminished reserve.

2Related Biomarkers

Fertility / IVF affects multiple body systems. Monitor these to catch complications early.

Ovulation & Cycle

These hormones confirm ovulation is occurring and support early pregnancy

Progesterone

Measured mid-luteal phase (day 21). Confirms ovulation occurred and corpus luteum is functioning.

Above 3 ng/mL confirms ovulation. Above 10 ng/mL is ideal for conception.

Prolactin

Elevated prolactin suppresses ovulation. Common cause of irregular cycles and infertility.

Below 25 ng/mL. Above this may require treatment.

Thyroid Function

Thyroid dysfunction is a common, treatable cause of infertility and miscarriage. TSH should be optimized before conception.

TSH

Even subclinical hypothyroidism affects fertility. Tighter targets for conception than general population.

Below 2.5 mIU/L for conception (stricter than normal 0.4-4.0 range)

Free T4

Active thyroid hormone. Should be mid-normal range.

0.8-1.8 ng/dL

Anti-TPO

Thyroid antibodies linked to higher miscarriage risk even with normal TSH.

Androgens (PCOS)

Elevated androgens suggest PCOS, a leading cause of ovulatory infertility

Testosterone

Total testosterone elevated in PCOS. Affects egg quality and ovulation.

Below 70 ng/dL for women

DHEA-S

Adrenal androgen. May be supplemented in women with diminished ovarian reserve to improve egg quality.

65-380 μg/dL (reproductive age)

Male Fertility

Male factor contributes to ~40% of infertility cases. Hormone testing complements semen analysis.

Testosterone

Low testosterone affects sperm production. But exogenous testosterone actually suppresses fertility.

300-1000 ng/dL for men

FSH

In men, elevated FSH indicates testicular dysfunction and impaired sperm production.

1.5-12.4 mIU/mL for men

Vitamins & Nutrients

Nutritional status affects egg and sperm quality

Vitamin D

Deficiency linked to lower IVF success rates. Receptors present in ovaries and uterus.

Above 30 ng/mL (some clinics target 40-60)

Vitamin B12

Deficiency can cause ovulatory dysfunction and implantation failure.

Above 300 pg/mL

Ferritin

Iron stores affect egg quality. Low ferritin common in women with heavy periods.

Above 30 ng/mL, ideally 50-100

3The Holistic View

Fertility is not just about one hormone - it's a complex interplay of ovarian reserve (AMH, FSH), ovulation (LH, progesterone), thyroid function, androgen balance, and nutritional status. Both partners matter: male factor accounts for 40% of infertility. A comprehensive workup looks at the whole picture, not just one test.

4Connected Conditions

Understanding how fertility / ivf connects to other conditions helps you see the bigger picture.

Track in LabLi

When you select Fertility / IVF as your health focus, these categories are prioritized in your dashboard:

HormonesThyroidVitamins

Medical References

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This guide is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.