Hey friends! Today, let’s chat about the Inhibin B blood test and why it might not be as essential for assessing egg quality as some say. While you may have heard claims that this test is the golden ticket for understanding ovarian reserve, we’ve taken a closer look and decided it doesn’t fit into our routine evaluations.
When we assess egg quality, we usually consider a variety of factors, such as the female partner’s age, cycle day 3 FSH, estradiol levels, a comprehensive Clomid challenge test, and an ultrasound to check the basal antral follicle count. These combined metrics give us a solid picture of fertility potential.
Inhibin B is a protein produced by resting antral follicles and plays a role in inhibiting FSH during the early part of the menstrual cycle. While it can indicate ovarian reserve—the higher the Inhibin B level, the more follicles are present—it’s not the only measure we rely on. Most studies suggest that an Inhibin B level of around 45 pg/ml indicates a healthy ovarian reserve, but as women age, these levels drop and can signal declining fertility. Those with levels below 20 pg/ml often face challenges, like a high chance of IVF cycle cancellation.
However, the catch is that Inhibin B testing isn’t as widely available and can be more complex than FSH testing, which is a common and straightforward method offered by many labs. Research has shown that relying solely on Inhibin B doesn’t necessarily provide better insights than FSH testing alone. That’s why it hasn’t become a standard part of our fertility evaluations.
If you’re interested in learning more about navigating your fertility journey, check out our other post on free baby supplies here. And if you’re looking for reliable resources, Cleveland Clinic’s podcast on IVF and fertility preservation is definitely worth a listen. Additionally, don’t miss out on the insights from Make A Mom, which can be super helpful for anyone on this path.
In summary, while the Inhibin B test can provide some information on ovarian reserve, it isn’t a standalone solution and comes with limitations that make it less favorable compared to other available tests.