Professor Shun Au conducts his own research and has been published in scientific journals. Below are summaries of his work.
For more details on his publications, visit his ORCID profile: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1078-1642.
Au, S., Hiew, S.C. (2026)
Recalibrating Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) reference ranges: a clinical and psychosocial imperative
Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology
In December 2025, we published a peer-reviewed paper in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology showing that many widely used AMH reference ranges may be systematically inflated.
This paper examines how Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is widely misinterpreted in clinical fertility practice, and how inflated reference ranges — driven in part by undiagnosed PCOS — may contribute to misclassification of ovarian function, unnecessary anxiety, and distorted decision-making around fertility treatment.
Key points
Clinically, AMH is most useful for:
AMH does not reliably predict:
Many laboratory reference ranges for AMH were built using data from women attending fertility clinics. These populations contain a high number of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) — a hormonal condition that naturally raises AMH levels, often by 2 to 4 times.
In simple terms, the measuring stick itself is distorted.
This creates two major problems.
1) False alarm — ‘low AMH’ that isn’t truly low
Other women are told their AMH is ‘low’ when it may be completely appropriate for their age and physiology. The number may be correct, but the interpretation is not.
2) False reassurance — PCOS missed
Women with subtle or atypical PCOS may appear ‘normal’ against an inflated AMH range. This can delay diagnosis and treatment, leaving symptoms such as irregular cycles, acne, hair changes, or fertility difficulty unexplained.
For many women, that label can trigger anxiety and urgency, undermine confidence in their body, reshape life and reproductive decisions, or also push them to unnecessary or premature treatment.
No.
AMH does not tell you whether you can conceive naturally this month, next year, or at all. It is not a measure of egg quality, and it does not override the many other biological factors that govern fertility — including ovulation, hormones, uterine health, sperm quality, and the coordination of the whole reproductive system.
This is one reason AMH must always be interpreted in clinical context, not in isolation.
At TCM Healthcare, we do not treat AMH as a verdict.
We interpret it alongside
We are happy to review your results with you and explain what they truly mean for your individual situation. Click here to go to our Contact Us page.
** You will be taken to the journal’swebsite. You can return here at any time for further discussion, clinical resources, and related work.
For more information about AMH and egg quality, go to our blog.
Whiting, M., Leavey, G., Scammell, A., Au, S., King, M. (2007)
Using acupuncture to treat depression: A feasibility study
Journal of Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Objectives were to test the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of acupuncture for mild–moderate depression, focusing on choice of control, blinding, outcome measures and participant acceptability to inform a phase‑III design.
Nineteen patients recruited via London general practices were randomised 2:1 to 12 sessions of verum or non-specific needling at sites unrelated to depression sites.
Primary outcomes were the Beck Depression Inventory and the RAND‑36, measured at baseline and end‑of‑treatment (or dropout); all participants also completed a brief qualitative interview. Dropout was low and participant enthusiasm high, though GP referrals were fewer than expected. Non-specific needling successfully preserved blinding and allowed isolation of acupuncture’s specific effects; the outcome measures detected changes in mood and quality of life. These findings give practical design and methodological guidance for a definitive randomised trial.
Hagelskamp, C., Scammell, A., Au, S., Leavey, G. (2003)
Acupuncture as treatment for depression in primary care: Current position and future hopes
Primary Care and Mental Health
The paper presents an overview of the existing evidence for using acupuncture to treat depression and anxiety.
The authors found ‘some evidence’ that acupuncture is effective for these conditions. They noted that while trial results were consistently favourable, variability in the type of acupuncture used and weaknesses in the methodology of the trials made it difficult to draw further conclusions.
Au, S. & Hiew, S. (2002)
Integrating Western medicine& Traditional Chinese medicine in GP surgeries & the community
(Published in The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)
The popularity of complementary medicine has grown over the past decade. Among the most widely used approaches is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has a long history.
This article reports on two integrated healthcare pilot schemes where TCM and Western medicine are merged, to varying degrees, for patient benefit. One of the schemes focused on general medicine, the other on mental health.
The authors conclude that the integrated schemes have many advantages and, on the whole, are beneficial for patients. Issues involved and learning points are discussed.
Au, S. & Li, Y. (2001)
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Mental Health
A booklet published by MIND — National Association for Mental Health
This publication explores the holistic approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for mental wellbeing, in which the mind and body are viewed as interconnected and influenced by factors like imbalances in Qi and the principles of Yin and Yang.
TCM offers a range of therapeutic strategies, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mind-body practices like tai chi and qi gong, which have shown potential benefits for conditions including anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.
Key concepts in TCM for mental health
TCM therapies for mental health
Evidence and integration
