MTHFR gene: Hey this is my first post on... - Anxiety Support

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MTHFR gene

9 Replies

Hey this is my first post on here. But I've been dealing with panic attacks and anxiety for years. Each year I get about a month of severe melt downs where I can't sleep and I feel like I'm going to go insane and pretty much in constant panic attack mode. :(

But this year has been the worst year of my life. The last 3 weeks have been the worst. I just can't sleep. And it's terrifying what lack of sleep does to you. On top of that constant panic attacks my body is exhausted.

I decided to see a specialist doctor/naturopath and He asked if I've ever been tested for the MTHFR gene. I got tested straight away and bam I have it. And it's most likely people who suffer from panic attacks and depression have it as well.

It's pretty much when your body can't turn folic acid into folinic acid causing a whole lot of hell for your body. People who suffer are prone to anxiety, depression, migraines, head tension, heart palpitations, heart attacks and blood clots in older age, miscarriages and birth defects (I'm pregnant so this is scary) about 40% of the population have it, but a small percentage feel it's fall effects.

I'm now on folinic acid, B12 and vitamin D eveyday. But it has to be the right vitamins and it needs to be taken properly, hence why seeing a specialist is the way to go.

I've just started and it takes about 3 to 6 weeks to feel the effects. So I'll post here again in a few weeks time to let people know if it's helping me.

I seriously recommend getting this gene tested. My anxiety finally makes sense.

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9 Replies
blossomgirl profile image
blossomgirl

Hi does that show up I a general blood test?

in reply to blossomgirl

no it doesn't. :(

You have clear warning signs in normal blood test like low B12 and high folic acid because your body struggles to convert folic acid into folinic.

I had to get a blood test done specifically to test for MTHFR gene.

in reply to

The Dr I went to see knew what he was talking about and it was a breath of fresh air. It usually takes up to 8 months to get in to see him, but I managed to see him earlier because I'm pregnant. I've heard so many success stories from patients who have gone to see him. He actually looked deeper into my problem instead of a general practitioner who just wants to drug you up with probably the wrong antidepressant. I also know which antidepressant is right one for me now after seeing him.

Anyway I had to post about it because it's like a huge weight has been lifted. :)

Ashley1489 profile image
Ashley1489

May I ask what your symptoms are

in reply to Ashley1489

Of course. When it's bad I get Extreme panic attacks. I get a whole panic go through my body and it's painful and I feel like I'm about to go insane. Insomnia. Sometimes the bad stages last for weeks. I'm currently going through a bad stage and haven't really slept for 3 weeks and I've been to the hospital twice due to severe insomnia and panic attacks.

General anxiety is something I deal with everyday. Some days o feel so out of it and can't concentrate. Some days u can't calm down. Some days my throats tightens up and I feel like I'm choking. I feel dizzy often.

Right now I feel like there's no way out and I'm scared. But I'm holding hope I've found the answer.

Ashley1489 profile image
Ashley1489 in reply to

I'm glad you found a answer too hun.... My main symptoms are dizziness spaced out and feeling like I'm going to pass out

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62

there are a number of MTHFR variants - and some of them are extremely common. They all have different effects on how they affect methylation processes.

In general there is a lot of hype about having to have methylB12 but with most of the variants the impact on B12 is actually negligible, so methyl, which is more expensive and less stable than other artificial forms of B12 may not be necessary. People report very mixed results with methylB12 even when they have the MTHFR gene - some genuinely find that other forms work much better for them. There are some similar caveats around using methylated forms of folate - there are some variants that don't respond that well to methylated folate forms and some people can have variants in other genes that can actually make methylfolate problematic.

To my knowledge MTHFR does not impact on processing of vitamin D but then I'm not an expert - but I can't think of a way that vitamin D would be impacted by the underlying process that is affected.

Glad Hidden that you seem to have found a solution but would warn others that there are a lot of quacks out there. Make sure that you look for someone who genuinely is qualified and has some proper medical background.

Hcfish profile image
Hcfish

I have the same thing! What dosages are you taking?

Hcfish profile image
Hcfish

What dosage are you taking?

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