What hormone tests do I need as part of an infertility evaluation?

Helping to characterize ovarian reserve through bloodwork is the single most time-sensitive test to pursue when struggling to conceive. Most often this consists of measuring anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) but sometimes a basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level can provide additional insight (ultrasound can also be informative). Besides ovarian reserve testing, endocrine (hormone) problems that can interfere with fertility include PCOS (elevated androgens), underactive (or overactive) thyroid function and inappropriately elevated prolactin (the hormone responsible for breast milk production which can be raised outside of pregnancy). These tests are traditionally ordered as indicated.