Interpretation of 23andme data put through Sterling's app

[FranzFan]

Hi All,

I recently put my 23andme data through Sterling's App to try and get a better picture of my polymorphisms. I've had some interpretation of these results with a doctor (who didn't really know enough to help) and by reading Ben Lynch and Amy Yasko; but it's pretty complicated stuff. I wondered if anyone who knows a bit about interpreting such results would like to comment on what the implications might be? You can see my results here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4Xc1CWjQIiVR1YtUGFTbWJXVXc/edit?usp=sharing

For info on my current symptoms/ supplements: I struggle with energy though am no longer chronically fatigued - i.e. if I keep my diet on track (gluten/ dairy free) I can function. I'm hypothyroid and have very low sex drive. I have been following Fredd's methylation protocol for some time and, in addition to all of the vitamin and mineral support supplements he recommends, I take:

- around 6,000 mcg of solgar metafolin per day, split between morning and evening,
- 10,000 mg of Jarrow b12 and 3,000 mcg of Country Life Active b12 Dibencozide.
- I also take 200mg Doctor's Best SAM-e,
- 2,000mg of Now TMG,
- 500mg of Jarrow L-Carnitine.

I haven't noticed much change in symptoms on this protocol, though through the testing I do with my doctor am aware that I have successfully increased glutathione to almost within the normal range and have decreased my levels of toxicity.

Any thoughts on the implications for my supplement regime based on these test results would be most welcome.

Thanks!

 

[PeterPositive]

I am no expert... but you probably don't need that much folate and B12 according to your profile. Your folate and methionine synthase cycles shouldn't be particularly slowed down.

I am referring mainly to MTHFR, MTR and MTRR mutations. You do have the MTHFS though, but I am not sure if that alone can cause major problems.

I am sure other people here will be able to provide more detailed insights.

Did you start with the described protocol right away? Or did you build the dosage over time? How long have you been on the protocol?

Cheers

 

[Gingergrrl]

@FranzFan What is Sterling's App? I looked at your report and it is so much more detailed than what I got on Genetic Genie! Sorry if this is a dumb question and I am still really new to all this.

 

[FranzFan]

@FranzFan What is Sterling's App? I looked at your report and it is so much more detailed than what I got on Genetic Genie! Sorry if this is a dumb question and I am still really new to all this.

Yeah it's way better right! You need to put your raw 23andme data through the app. You just upload your data here: http://www.mthfrsupport.com/reports-consults/order-reports/ and get a report back like the one I did. It costs $20.

 

[FranzFan]

I am no expert... but you probably don't need that much folate and B12 according to your profile. Your folate and methionine synthase cycles shouldn't be particularly slowed down.

I am referring mainly to MTHFR, MTR and MTRR mutations. You do have the MTHFS though, but I am not sure if that alone can cause major problems.

I am sure other people here will be able to provide more detailed insights.

Did you start with the described protocol right away? Or did you build the dosage over time? How long have you been on the protocol?

Cheers

Thanks for the tips. Yep I built up over time, starting with around 1600mcg of metafolin and 1000-2000mg of b12 and building up over 3 months or so. In all I've been on the protocol for around 6 months. I also tried Rich Vank's protocol for 6 months prior to that, but it didn't really work for me.

 

[PeterPositive]

Thanks for the tips. Yep I built up over time, starting with around 1600mcg of metafolin and 1000-2000mg of b12 and building up over 3 months or so. In all I've been on the protocol for around 6 months. I also tried Rich Vank's protocol for 6 months prior to that, but it didn't really work for me.

The lack of results/changes with both protocols and your genetic profile seem to suggest that your methylation is probably working fine. Also your glutathione levels confirm that. Maybe you should investigate more the causes of the hypothyroidism and try to improve that aspect to balance your energy levels.

Cheers

 

[Lynn_M]

FranzFan is compound heterozygous for the C677T and A1298C MTHFR mutations. This puts him in the classic category of people with impaired methylation. I don't know why anyone could make the assumption that his methylation is probably working fine.

 

[PeterPositive]

FranzFan is compound heterozygous for the C677T and A1298C MTHFR mutations. This puts him in the classic category of people with impaired methylation. I don't know why anyone could make the assumption that his methylation is probably working fine.

The assumption is made on 3 elements:

1- not responding to Rich's and Freddd's protocols (most poor methylators get some improvements)
2- having good levels of glutathione (undoubtedly a marker of proper methylation function)
3- there's no way to know if the C677T and A1298C are really compound heterozygous from a 23andMe test. It doesn't indicate if the two mutations are on different strands, so there's a 50/50 chance of compound heterozygous status for those who are heterozygous for both SNPs.

cheers

 

[FranzFan]

The assumption is made on 3 elements:

1- not responding to Rich's and Freddd's protocols (most poor methylators get some improvements)
2- having good levels of glutathione (undoubtedly a marker of proper methylation function)
3- there's no way to know if the C677T and A1298C are really compound heterozygous from a 23andMe test. It doesn't indicate if the two mutations are on different strands, so there's a 50/50 chance of compound heterozygous status for those who are heterozygous for both SNPs.

cheers

Thanks for your comments. I do feel it's worth highlighting that my glutathione isn't in the normal range (I just said it's almost within the normal range), but even if it was, it would be right at the bottom end of 'normal', which is not where I'd want it to be. Also my glutathione was tested after having done Fredd's protocol for some months, which I suspect is why it increased from a rock-bottom level to something slightly more positive. But given that i'm not in the normal range yet, and I don't even trust the way in which 'normal' ranges are defined for most blood tests, I feel I have a long way to go in terms of further increasing glutathione levels. Given that i'm not within the normal range of glutahione, I wouldn't say that I have good levels of glutathione yet.

 

[PeterPositive]

Thanks for your comments. I do feel it's worth highlighting that my glutathione isn't in the normal range (I just said it's almost within the normal range), but even if it was, it would be right at the bottom end of 'normal', which is not where I'd want it to be. Also my glutathione was tested after having done Fredd's protocol for some months, which I suspect is why it increased from a rock-bottom level to something slightly more positive. But given that i'm not in the normal range yet, and I don't even trust the way in which 'normal' ranges are defined for most blood tests, I feel I have a long way to go in terms of further increasing glutathione levels. Given that i'm not within the normal range of glutahione, I wouldn't say that I have good levels of glutathione yet.

Good point. I am sorry I misunderstood your comment on glutathione. Many methylation specialists do indeed question the "normal" ranges of those tests. I am in a similar situation with below range levels of GSH and too high GSSG. Have you ever tested your levels of homocysteine? An elevated value paired with the low GSH may indeed suggest the compound MTHFR defect.

Cheers

 

[Critterina]

FranzFan is compound heterozygous for the C677T and A1298C MTHFR mutations. This puts him in the classic category of people with impaired methylation. I don't know why anyone could make the assumption that his methylation is probably working fine.

@Lynn_M ,

Compound heterozygous means that there is one mutation on each strand of DNA, something that you can't tell from 23andMe because they report results alphabetically. As I understand, people with both mutations on the same strand have much better functionality in their folate cycle than people with on mutation on each. I think that @PeterPositive taking into consideration lab results is entirely appropriate here.

Critterina

 

[PeterPositive]

I am in a similar situation with below range levels of GSH and too high GSSG. Have you ever tested your levels of homocysteine? An elevated value paired with the low GSH may indeed suggest the compound MTHFR defect.

Speaking of normal ranges of GSH and GSSG I think all the lab results I have seen posted here follow the same pattern, too low GSH, too high GSSG. Has anyone actually seen a test within range? I suppose people doing a methylation test are probably chronically ill and the chances of impaired methylation are probably higher.

 

[FranzFan]

Thanks all for your comments. I can see there is no simple explanation for what these results mean (I hadn't really expected there would be!) so I guess the next step will be to book an appointment with a practitioner. I don't suppose anyone can recommend a good practitioner who is able to interpret 23andme results? I feel that is what I will need to do to take things to the next level :-(

 

[Phred]

@FranzFan I know nothing about your SNPs, but have comments about your supplements:

1) Jarrow's mb12 went wonky about 2 or 3 years ago and is now ineffective. Fred recommends Enzymatic Therapy 1mg mb12.
2) Country Life dibencozide contains folic acid and should be avoided. The favoured brand now is Annabol.
3) Not sure if your carnitine is the one Fred recommends which is L-Carnitine Fumarate. Some people respond to ALCAR, but only really those two kinds of carnitine seem to work.

Again I know nothing about your SNPs, but I can tell you the 200mcg of folic acid in the Country Life would make me sick. At the very least getting away from that supplement might help.

Good luck.

 

[FranzFan]

@FranzFan I know nothing about your SNPs, but have comments about your supplements:

1) Jarrow's mb12 went wonky about 2 or 3 years ago and is now ineffective. Fred recommends Enzymatic Therapy 1mg mb12.
2) Country Life dibencozide contains folic acid and should be avoided. The favoured brand now is Annabol.
3) Not sure if your carnitine is the one Fred recommends which is L-Carnitine Fumarate. Some people respond to ALCAR, but only really those two kinds of carnitine seem to work.

Again I know nothing about your SNPs, but I can tell you the 200mcg of folic acid in the Country Life would make me sick. At the very least getting away from that supplement might help.

Good luck.

Thanks very much! Funnily enough I just ordered a new batch of supplements and have changed brands as you suggest in your post. I read that Fredd's latest advice had changed and changed by order subsequently. Maybe that will make a difference; hopefully it will

 

[Phred]

Thanks very much! Funnily enough I just ordered a new batch of supplements and have changed brands as you suggest in your post. I read that Fredd's latest advice had changed and changed by order subsequently. Maybe that will make a difference; hopefully it will

You might find those few minor changes make a huge difference. Let us know how it goes.