question/MTHFR lab results

[Tammy]

I recently got some lab results back and my GP says I don't have to worry about taking methylfolate. I just want to make sure I am not missing something. Under comments section it says:
....This patient has the normal or wild-type genotype for the MTHFR polymorphisms C677T (C/C) and MTHFR A1298C (A/A). Patients with this genotype combination are expected to have normal enzyme activity. My homocysteine levels are also good.

Is it this simple or am I to look into other things?

 

[PeterPositive]

It means that both sections of the MTHFR genes have no anomalies and therefore they are functioning well.

 

[Tammy]

It means that both sections of the MTHFR genes have no anomalies and therefore they are functioning well.

I know that probably sounded like a stupid question.......and I admit that I really have not studied any of this at all...........it just seemed like whenever I was reading posts about MTHFR.......nothing seemed cut and dry and people were talking about all kinds of different things....................I don't recall anyone saying they didn't need methylfolate because their MTHFR was fine.............that's why I thought I might be missing something.

 

[PeterPositive]

I know that probably sounded like a stupid question.......and I admit that I really have not studied any of this at all...........it just seemed like whenever I was reading posts about MTHFR.......nothing seemed cut and dry and people were talking about all kinds of different things

Well, if your diet is lacking folate you may still get some help from supplements, but that's a different story. I'd go with diet first, and supplements only if needed.

People with MTHFR enzyme impairments (typically homozygous C677T, like I am) have reduced ability to convert dietary folate into the biologically active form (methylfolate), hence the need to take supplements. Just taking it from the diet may not be sufficient.

I don't recall anyone saying they didn't need methylfolate because their MTHFR was fine

Actually if your genes are ok and your homocysteine levels are in check, as you said, you don't seem in need of extra folate.

In contrast, my homocysteine was though the roof the first time I tested it, and it proved very stubborn to lower. To this day it's still not optimal, but it's orders of magnitude better. When I discovered the MTHFR problem it all made sense.

Cheers

 

[Tammy]

Thank you for taking the time to reply..............I'm sure the members who are more knowledgable on this subject get tired of answering everyones questions and I understand that. I'm glad that you found a piece of your own puzzle concerning this.

 

[caledonia]

That's great that your MTHFR genes are normal. I've seen only a handful of people on here who didn't have MTHFR mutations.

However, if you're on this forum and investigating methylation, I assume you're pretty sick with ME or some chronic illness. So there has to be some cause, and it could be worthwhile to keep digging.

You could still have MTR and MTRR (B12 mutations). You could still have GST (glutathione) mutations which would lower your glutathione (the body's major antioxidant and detoxifier of chemicals, etc.). The best way to raise glutathione is to do a methylation protocol.

You could also have toxic metals such as lead or mercury which also impact the function of MTHFR (folate) and MTR (B12) SNPs - so basically as bad as having mutations there. In that case, you would want to chelate those out.

You can find out about B12 and glutathione genes by getting a 23andme gene test (unfortunately they just raised the price from $99 to $199). You can interpret that by running the raw data through GeneticGenie.org, and interpreting it with the SNPs Interpretation Guide linked in my signature link.

You can find out about lead and mercury by doing the hair metals and elements test used by the Cutler protocol and getting that interpreted by the Frequent Dose Chelation Yahoo group.

You can also do a methylation panel, which is a functional panel looking at how your body's methylation cycle is actually operating. If it's operating badly, then investigate what the cause could be.

There is the HDRI Methylation Panel which RichVank wrote an interpretation for, and the Doctors Data Methylation Panel which Ben Lynch has published an interpretation for - https://seekinghealth.org/resource/...t-analysis-how-to-interpret-the-test-results/

Then also look at your history - have you been vegetarian or vegan, had exposure to chemicals, pesticides or toxins, had mercury amalgams, vaccines, eat a lot of fish, renovated old houses, etc.? Have you been tested for B12 deficiency or have many symptoms of that?

So as you can see, MTHFR is only one part of the puzzle.

 

[Tammy]

@caledonia.............thanks for all the info............I've researched a lot over the last 19 years I've been ill......(diagnosed with cfs in 1996 by cfs specialist).......but admit..I have never really studied in depth methylation or genetics, snp's, mutations, etc.etc.

I am presently on a protocol addressing, EBV, metals, thyroid, and adrenals (generally speaking) ..........4th month into protocol and am seeing improvements .....hard to keep up the hope sometimes......but I am going to stick with this protocol for awhile as I have never stuck with any given protocol longer than 3-4 months.

One of the supplements I have been taking is liquid B12 ( mixture of 80%Methyl and 20%)

The first thing I noticed with this new protocol is I started to feel significantly less fluey.........there are other improvements also and I thought I would start a thread later and report if I continue to see progress.

Thanks again for the reply