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Link to methylation testing?

determined

Senior Member
Messages
307
Location
USA: Deep South
I'm so sorry to ask, but I can't find the name/link for the testing that Rich recommends for evaluating methylation status. I am hoping to get my physician to write an order this week; has anyone used the testing and if so, can you tell me the name of the tests you had done?

Health Diagnostics, or some similar name.....thanks if you can help.
 

richvank

Senior Member
Messages
2,732
Hi, determined.

Here's the contact information for the Methylation Pathways Panel:

Methylation Pathways Panel

This panel will indicate whether a person has a partial methylation cycle block and/or glutathione depletion. I recommend that this panel be run before deciding whether to consider treatment for lifting the methylation cycle block. I am not associated with the lab that offers this panel.

The panel requires an order from a physician or a chiropractor. The best way to order the panel is by fax, on a clinicians letterhead.


Available from:

Health Diagnostics and Research Institute
540 Bordentown Avenue, Suite 2300
South Amboy, NJ 08879
USA
Phone: (732) 721-1234
Fax: (732) 525-3288

Lab Director: Elizabeth Valentine, M.D.

Dr. Tapan Audhya, Ph.D., is willing to help clinicians with interpretation of the panel by phone, or you can use the interpretive guide below:


May 19, 2011


Interpretation of Results of the Methylation Pathways Panel

by
Richard A. Van Konynenburg, Ph.D.
Independent Researcher
(richvank at aol dot com)


Disclaimer: The Methylation Pathways Panel is offered by the European Laboratory of Nutrients in the Netherlands and the Health Diagnostics and Research Institute in New Jersey, USA. I am not affiliated with these laboratories, but have been a user of this panel, and have written these suggestions at the request of Tapan Audhya, Ph.D., Director of Research for the Health Diagnostics lab, for the benefit of physicians who may not be familiar with this panel. My suggestions for the interpretation of results of the panel are based on my study of the biochemistry involved, on my own experience with interpreting panel results as part of the analysis of a fairly large number of cases of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) over the past four years, and on discussion of some of the issues with Dr. Audhya. I am a researcher, not a licensed physician. Treatment decisions based on the results of applying this panel and its interpretation to individual cases are the responsibility of the treating physician.

Application: In addition to being useful in analyzing cases of ME/CFS, this panel can also be usefully applied to cases of autism and other disorders that involve abnormalities in glutathione, methylation and the folate metabolism.

The panel includes measurement of two forms of glutathione (reduced and oxidized), S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), adenosine, and seven folate derivatives.

According to Dr. Audhya (personal communication), the reference ranges shown on the lab reports for each of these metabolites were derived from measurements on at least 120 healthy male and female volunteer medical students from ages 20 to 40, non-smoking, and with no known chronic diseases. The reference ranges extend to plus and minus two standard deviations from the mean of these measurements.

Glutathione (reduced): This is a measurement of the concentration of the
chemically reduced (active) form of glutathione (abbreviated GSH) in the blood
plasma. The reference range is 3.8 to 5.5 micromoles per liter.

Glutathione plays many important roles in the biochemistry of the body, including serving as the basis of the antioxidant enzyme system, participating in the detoxication system, and supporting the cell-mediated immune response, all of which exhibit deficits in CFS. The level of GSH in the plasma is likely to be more reflective of tissue intracellular glutathione status than the more commonly and more easily measured red blood cell or (essentially equivalent) whole blood glutathione level, which is about three orders of magnitude greater, because red blood cells are normally net producers of glutathione. Also, knowledge of the level of the reduced form, as distinguished from total (reduced plus oxidized) glutathione, which is more commonly measured, is more diagnostic of the status of glutathione function.

In order to be able to approximate the in vivo level of reduced glutathione when blood samples must be shipped to a lab, it is necessary to include special enzyme inhibitors in the sample vials, and these are included in the test kit supplied by these two laboratories.

Most people with chronic fatigue syndrome (PWCs), but not all, are found to have values of GSH that are below the reference range*. This means that they are suffering from glutathione depletion. As they undergo treatment to lift the partial methylation cycle block, this value usually rises into the normal range over a period of a few months. I believe that this is very important, because
glutathione normally participates in the intracellular metabolism of vitamin B12, and if it is low, a functional deficiency of vitamin B12 results, and insufficient methylcobalamin is produced to support methionine synthase in the methylation cycle. In my view, this is the mechanism that causes the onset of ME/CFS. This functional deficiency is not detected in a conventional serum B12 test, but will produce elevated methylmalonate in a urine organic acids test. In my opinion, many of the abnormalities and symptoms in ME/CFS can be traced directly to glutathione depletion.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that PWCs who do not have glutathione depletion do have abnormalities in the function of one or more of the enzymes that make use of glutathione, i.e. the glutathione peroxidases and/or glutathione transferases. This may be due to genetic polymorphisms or DNA adducts on the genes that code for these enzymes, or in the case of some of the glutathione peroxidases, to a low selenium status.

Glutathione (oxidized): This is a measurement of the concentration
of the oxidized form of glutathione (abbreviated GSSG) in the blood
plasma. The reference range is 0.16 to 0.50 micromoles per liter.

Normally, oxidized glutathione in the cells is recycled back to reduced glutathione by glutathione reductase, an enzyme that requires vitamin B2 and NADPH. If this reaction is overwhelmed by oxidative stress, the cells export excess GSSG to the plasma. In some (but not all) PWCs, GSSG is elevated above the normal
range, and this represents oxidative stress. It is more common in CFS to see this level in the high-normal range. This value may increase slightly under initial treatment of a partial methylation cycle block.*

Ratio of Glutatione (reduced) to Glutathione (oxidized): This is not shown explicitly on the panel results, but can be calculated from them. It is a measure of the redox potential in the plasma, and reflects the state of the antioxidant system in the cells. The normal mean value is 14. PWCs often have a value slightly more than half this amount, indicating a state of glutathione depletion and oxidative stress. This ratio has been found to increase during treatment of a partial methylation cycle block.*

S-adenosymethionine (RBC): This is a measure of the concentration of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in the red blood cells. The reference range is 221 to 256 micromoles per deciliter.

SAMe is produced in the methylation cycle and is the main supplier of methyl (CH3) groups for a large number of methylation reactions in the body, including the methylation of DNA and the biosynthesis of creatine, carnitine, coenzyme Q10, melatonin and epinephrine. This measurement is made in the red blood cells because the level there reflects an average over a longer time and is less vulnerable to fluctuations than is the plasma level of SAMe.

Most PWCs have values below the reference range, and treatment raises the value.* A low value for SAMe represents a low methylation capacity, and
in CFS, it usually appears to result from an inhibition or partial block of the enzyme methionine synthase in the methylation cycle. Many of the abnormalities in CFS can be tied to lack of sufficient methylation capacity.

S-adenosylhomocysteine (RBC): This is a measure of the
concentration of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) in the red blood cells. The reference range is 38.0 to 49.0 micromoles per deciliter.

SAH is the product of the many methyltransferase reactions that utilize SAMe as a source of methyl groups. In CFS, its value ranges from below the reference range to above the reference range. Values appear to be converging toward the reference range with treatment.

Sum of SAM and SAH: When the sum of SAM and SAH is below about 268
micromoles per deciliter, it appears to suggest the presence of
upregulating polymorphisms in the cystathionine beta synthase (CBS)
enzyme, though this may not be true in every case. For those considering following the Yasko treatment program, this may be useful information.

Ratio of SAM to SAH: A ratio less than about 4.5 represents low
methylation capacity. Both the concentration of SAM and the ratio of
concentrations of SAM to SAH are important in determining the
methylation capacity, because they affect the rates of the methyltransferase reactions.

Adenosine: This is a measure of the concentration of adenosine in the
blood plasma. The reference range is 16.8 to 21.4 x 10(-8) molar.

Adenosine is a product of the reaction that converts SAH to homocysteine. It is also exported to the plasma when mitochondria develop a low energy charge, so that ATP drops down to ADP, AMP, and eventually, adenosine. Adenosine in the plasma is normally broken down to inosine by the enzyme adenosine deaminase.

In some PWCs adenosine is found to be high, in some it is low, and in some it is in the reference range. I don't yet understand what controls the adenosine level in these patients, and I suspect that there is more than one factor involved. In most PWCs who started with abnormal values, the adenosine level appears to be moving into the reference range with methylation cycle treatment, but more data are needed.

5-CH3-THF: This is a measure of the concentration of 5L-methyl
tetrahydrofolate in the blood plasma. The reference range is 8.4 to 72.6 nanomoles per liter.

This form of folate is present in natural foods, and is normally the most abundant form of folate in the blood plasma. It is the form that serves as a reactant for the enzyme methionine synthase, and is thus the important form for the methylation cycle. It is also the only form of folate that normally can enter the brain. Its only known reactions are the methionine synthase reaction and reaction with the oxidant peroxynitrite.

When there is a partial block in methionine synthase, 5L-CH3-THF drains from the cells into the blood plasma by the so-called methyl trap mechanism. As other forms of folate are converted to 5L-CH3-THF, this mechanism depletes the cells of folates in general.

Many PWCs have a low value of 5L-CH3-THF, consistent with a partial block in the methylation cycle. Most methylation treatment protocols include supplementation with 5L-CH3-THF, which is sold over-the-counter as Metafolin, FolaPro, or MethylMate B (trademarks), and in the prescription medical foods supplied by PamLab, including Deplin, CerefolinNAC and Metanx. There are some others on the market that include both racemic forms (5L and 5R) of this folate.

When methylation treatment is used, the level of 5-CH3-THF rises in nearly every PWC. If the concentration of 5-CH3-THF is within the reference range, but either SAM or the ratio of SAM to SAH is below the reference values, it suggests that there is a partial methylation cycle block and that it is caused by inavailability of sufficient bioactive B12, rather than inavailability of sufficient folate. A urine organic acids panel will show elevated methylmalonate if there is a functional deficiency of B12. I have seen this combination frequently, and I think it demonstrates that the functional deficiency of B12 is the immediate root cause of most cases of partial methylation cycle block. Usually glutathione is low in these cases, which is consistent with such a functional deficiency. As the activity of the methylation cycle becomes more normal, the demand for 5-CH3-THF will likely increase, so including it in the treatment protocol, even if not initially low, will likely be beneficial.

10-Formyl-THF: This is a measure of the concentration of 10-formyl
tetrahydrofolate in the blood plasma. The reference range is 1.5 to 8.2 nanomoles per liter.

This form of folate is involved in reactions to form purines, which form part of RNA and DNA as well as ATP. It is usually on the low side in PWCs, likely as a result of the methyl trap mechanism mentioned above. This deficiency is likely the reason for some elevation of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) often seen in PWCs. This deficit may also impact replacement of cells lining the gut, as well as white blood cells.

5-Formyl-THF: This is a measure of the concentration of 5-formyl
tetrahydrofolate (also called folinic acid) in the blood plasma. The reference range is 1.2 to 11.7 nanomoles per liter.

This form is not used directly as a substrate in one-carbon transfer reactions, but it can be converted into other forms of folate, and may serve as a buffer form of folate. Most but not all PWCs have a value on the low side. It is one of the
supplements in some methylation protocols. It can be converted to 5L-CH3-THF in the body by a series of three reactions, one of which requires NADPH, and it may also help to supply other forms of folate until the methionine synthase reaction comes up to more normal activity.

THF: This is a measure of the concentration of tetrahydrofolate in
the blood plasma. The reference range is 0.6 to 6.8 nanomoles per liter.

This is the fundamental chemically reduced form of folate from which several other reduced folate forms are synthesized, and thus serves as the hub of the folate metabolism. THF is also a product of the methionine synthase reaction, and participates in the reaction that converts formiminoglutamate (figlu) into glutamate in the metabolism of histidine. If figlu is found to be elevated in a urine organic acids panel, it usually indicates that THF is low. In PWCs it is lower than the mean normal value of 3.7 nanomoles per liter in most but not all PWCs.

Folic acid: This is a measure of the concentration of folic acid in
the blood plasma. The reference range is 8.9 to 24.6 nanomoles per liter.

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, not found in nature. It is added to food grains in the U.S. and some other countries in order to lower the incidence of neural tube birth defects, including spina bifida. It is the oxidized form of folate, and therefore has a long shelf life and is the most common commercial folate supplement. It is normally converted into THF by two sequential reactions catalyzed by dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), using NADPH as the reductant. However, some people are not able to carry out this reaction well for genetic reasons, and PWCs may be depleted in NADPH, so folic acid is not the best supplemental form of folate for these people.

Low values suggest folic acid deficiency in the current diet. High values, especially in the presence of low values for THF, may be associated with inability to convert folic acid into reduced folate readily, such as because of a genetic polymorphism in the DHFR enzyme. They may also be due to high supplementation of folic acid.

Folinic acid (WB): This is a measure of the concentration of folinic acid in the whole blood. The reference range is 9.0 to 35.5 nanomoles per liter.

See comments on 5-formyl-THF above. Whole blood folinic acid usually tracks with the plasma 5-formyl-THF concentration.

Folic acid (RBC): This is a measure of the concentration of folic acid in the red blood cells. The reference range is 400 to 1500 nanomoles per liter.

The red blood cells import folic acid when they are initially being formed, but during most of their lifetime, they do not normally import, export, or use it. They simply serve as reservoirs for it, giving it up when they are broken down.

Many PWCs have low values of this parameter. This can be caused by a low folic acid status in the diet over the previous few months, since the population of RBCs at any time has ages ranging from zero to about four months. However, in CFS it can also be caused by oxidative damage to the cell membranes, which allows folic acid to leak out of the cells. Dr. Audhya reports that treatment with omega-3 fatty acids has been found to raise this value over time in one cohort.

If anyone finds errors in the above suggestions, I would appreciate being notified at richvank@aol.com.

* Nathan, N., and Van Konynenburg, R.A., Treatment Study of Methylation Cycle Support in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, poster paper, 9th International IACFS/ME Conference, Reno, Nevada, March 12-15, 2009. (http://www.mecfs-vic.org.au/sites/w...Article-2009VanKonynenburg-TrtMethylStudy.pdf)

Best regards,

Rich
 

Sasha

Fine, thank you
Messages
17,863
Location
UK
Thanks, Rich - I'm about to get this and someone has suggested I get my test done by the US lab rather than the Netherlands one because it's cheaper, even with the cost of mailing. The Netherlands charges 300 Euros - anybody know how much the New Jersey lab charges? They don't have a website with a list of charges.
 
Messages
66
Hi Sasha I suggest you give fed ex a ring once you have the US address and ensure you can get overnight shipping there and a quote - I'm just assuming overnight won't be a problem! From my enquiries Fed ex seemed the only company who would ship blood samples from a person (not a doctors office).
 

richvank

Senior Member
Messages
2,732
Thanks, Rich - I'm about to get this and someone has suggested I get my test done by the US lab rather than the Netherlands one because it's cheaper, even with the cost of mailing. The Netherlands charges 300 Euros - anybody know how much the New Jersey lab charges? They don't have a website with a list of charges.

Hi, Sasha.

They charge 295 U.S. dollars. That includes shipping the samples from within the U.S., but not from outside the U.S.

Best regards,

Rich
 

Sasha

Fine, thank you
Messages
17,863
Location
UK
Hi, Sasha.

They charge 295 U.S. dollars. That includes shipping the samples from within the U.S., but not from outside the U.S.

Best regards,

Rich

So that's 195 from the US lab and 246 from the Netherlands lab. Depending on shipping, that could be a saving. Thanks!
 

HowToEscape?

Senior Member
Messages
626
Slightly off topic, what is the procedure to conduct sample collection? Is it easily done on oneself, or does one need a 2nd person to properly draw enough blood?
I visit Dr Enlander on a regular basis, should it be done in the office?
 

Sushi

Moderation Resource Albuquerque
Messages
19,935
Location
Albuquerque
Slightly off topic, what is the procedure to conduct sample collection? Is it easily done on oneself, or does one need a 2nd person to properly draw enough blood?
I visit Dr Enlander on a regular basis, should it be done in the office?

You have to have it drawn by a doctor or a nurse. So if Enlander's office is set up to draw blood, that should work. I needs to be shipped immediately, so you might want to take it to a FedEx or Kinko's office yourself.

Best Sushi
 

richvank

Senior Member
Messages
2,732
Slightly off topic, what is the procedure to conduct sample collection? Is it easily done on oneself, or does one need a 2nd person to properly draw enough blood?
I visit Dr Enlander on a regular basis, should it be done in the office?

Hi, How.

Unfortunately, the Health Diagnostics lab is not certified to accept samples from New York state, where Dr. Enlander is located. New Jersey and Connecticut are O.K., and some people from New York visit physicians there or in other states to run the methylation pathways panel. You could phone the lab and ask for referrals to physicians there who order this panel. Their phone number is (732) 721-1234.

Best regards,

Rich
 

Nielk

Senior Member
Messages
6,970
Hi, How.

Unfortunately, the Health Diagnostics lab is not certified to accept samples from New York state, where Dr. Enlander is located. New Jersey and Connecticut are O.K., and some people from New York visit physicians there or in other states to run the methylation pathways panel. You could phone the lab and ask for referrals to physicians there who order this panel. Their phone number is (732) 721-1234.

Best regards,

Rich

I can never understand this. Why is it illegal to order a blood test from a specific state? It is not harmful to the body. there is no danger involved. I don't get it.
It makes it so hard for me to get this done. I don't travel easily. It would be so much easier if i can just send it from Dr enlander's office. Why won't the lab accept it.
Is this another trick from the CDC? or the NIH? playng with my brain? and future?
 

richvank

Senior Member
Messages
2,732
I can never understand this. Why is it illegal to order a blood test from a specific state? It is not harmful to the body. there is no danger involved. I don't get it.
It makes it so hard for me to get this done. I don't travel easily. It would be so much easier if i can just send it from Dr enlander's office. Why won't the lab accept it.
Is this another trick from the CDC? or the NIH? playng with my brain? and future?

Hi, Neilk.

Here's the story as I understand it. Some years ago, the state of New York wanted to set up some state laboratories, and they needed to find a source of funding for them. Somebody got the great idea of requiring any lab that runs human samples that originate in the state of New York to get separate certification from the state. This is in addition to the federal CLIA certification that all labs in the U.S. that run human samples are required to pay for and get.

To get the New York state certification, the labs have to pay a fee and submit to inspection by state examiners. Some of the things these examiners require do not make much sense, and often cost more money, such as requiring that equipment be replaced with new equipment, even though it is operating according to standards. Because of this, some specialty lab managements decide that the additional business they would get from New York would not be worth the cost and the hassle, so they opt out. If they accept a sample from someone in New York, but don't have New York certification, they can be fined heavily. Even if they accept a sample from another lab that is sourced out to them, if it came from someone with a New York address, they can be fined.

I think this situation is very unfortunate, because it means that people in New York state cannot easily get quite a few tests offered only by certain specialty labs. The New York state government is responsible for this. Contact your state representatives and senators if you want to encourage them to change it. Good luck!
Best regards,

Rich
 

Nielk

Senior Member
Messages
6,970
Hi, Neilk.

Here's the story as I understand it. Some years ago, the state of New York wanted to set up some state laboratories, and they needed to find a source of funding for them. Somebody got the great idea of requiring any lab that runs human samples that originate in the state of New York to get separate certification from the state. This is in addition to the federal CLIA certification that all labs in the U.S. that run human samples are required to pay for and get.

To get the New York state certification, the labs have to pay a fee and submit to inspection by state examiners. Some of the things these examiners require do not make much sense, and often cost more money, such as requiring that equipment be replaced with new equipment, even though it is operating according to standards. Because of this, some specialty lab managements decide that the additional business they would get from New York would not be worth the cost and the hassle, so they opt out. If they accept a sample from someone in New York, but don't have New York certification, they can be fined heavily. Even if they accept a sample from another lab that is sourced out to them, if it came from someone with a New York address, they can be fined.

I think this situation is very unfortunate, because it means that people in New York state cannot easily get quite a few tests offered only by certain specialty labs. The New York state government is responsible for this. Contact your state representatives and senators if you want to encourage them to change it. Good luck!
Best regards,

Rich

I read what you wrote as far as the reason why these labs are not situated in New York but why can't my doctor in NY prescribe it and send it to NJ? He has sent out labwork to Belgium with no proble.
I will contact my State Representative - good idea.
It infringes on my rights of pursuit of happiness. (getting healthier)

Thanks Rich for the reply:)