Recurrent Miscarriage: the MTHFR Gene Mutation

[anz07]

I have been diagnosed with the MTHFR gene mutation (heterozygous c.1286A>C). I am waiting for my clinic to give me advice but, from what I’ve read, I should switch from folic acid to folate as my body won’t absorb the former properly?

If anyone has advice about this I would greatly appreciate it. I am thinking to buy this to take instead of my Pregnacare folic acid and multivitamins: hollandandbarrett.com/shop/...

Is this the right kind of folate?! Also, from what I’ve read, people with this mutation are put on blood thinners. I’m confused as to why this is the case? Any help or advice is welcome!

[Mellyboo111]

Sorry to hear that you are diagnosed with that MTHFR gene mutation. But honestly i think no matter what mutation you are diagnosed with they recommend the same solution. I was diagnosed with a MTHFR mutation that can make me have kids with spina bifida. The solution was L-Methylfolate(7.5g) and I am also doing blood thinner(Heparin). I dont know how long i have to take it. I also never really question the blood thinner i just thought they know what they are doing. Good luck

[anz07 in reply to Mellyboo111]

Hi Mellyboo111, thank you for sharing your experience, that is really helpful. My clinic have said that I need to up my dose of folic acid to 5mg (I assume by this they mean folate?); they are adding it to my prescription. I've been told I can stay on baby aspirin but don't need to take the Clexane blood thinner injections anymore as all my thrombosis tests came back clear. Fingers crossed this increase in folic acid makes the necessary difference xx

[Mellyboo111 in reply to anz07]

Great news. I dont know if you did transfer already (embryo) but i have been on it before transfer the folate plus baby asprin. Then after my transfer they add the blood thinner. So now i am ** Sensitive ** 5 weeks pregnant and i am wondering if after my release to a regular doctor if it will stop. I am going April 1st for my first scan so will ask when i will stop these medications. Honestly I am over these medication i am literally sick of it.

[anz07 in reply to Mellyboo111]

That's amazing news, congratulations! Well your story gives me much needed hope! The blood thinners are awful - they were the worst injections I've ever taken (and I think I've taken them all now...even the intramuscular ones were nowhere near as bad!). I hope you are able to come off the blood thinners soon. Wishing you all the best for the rest of your pregnancy xxx

[Hidden]

Hey anz07, look up Carolyn Ledowsky, she has a wealth of information on MTHFR, recurrent miscarriage and folate. She did a webinar in January which I found really interesting, I'll post the link, hopefully it still works. Yes you are definitely right, folic acid will not be helpful in your case as your body won't be able to properly metabolise it. Also the blood thinners come into sometimes because due to this metabolism issue it can lead to a build up of homocysteine in the blood which can cause clotting. Carolyn explains it much better and in a lot of detail on some of her webinars! This isn't always the case though and supplementing with folate will help. The Holland and Barrett stuff does look like the right type of folate which I'm suprised at because it's normally a bit more expensive that this but great! I also have a heterozygous gene mutation so have been supplementing with higher doses as well. Hopefully you find it useful. mthfrfertility.com/falling-...

[anz07 in reply to Hidden]

Hi axel13, thank you for your response. I will definitely check out Carolyn Ledowsky's webinar - that will keep me entertained this weekend! My clinic have recommended I up my dose of folic acid to 5mg. I assume they mean Methylfolate (their communication skills are rather poor!). They said they will add it to my prescription so fingers crossed it helps. They also said I don't need the Clexane blood thinning injections as my thrombosis tests came back clear, but they did say I can still take baby aspirin just in case. Thank you for your advice and for the link to the webinar, it is greatly appreciated! (P.S. your name is the name I want to call my future child but shhhh...don't tell anyone!!) xx

[Hidden in reply to anz07]

Great name! It was actually my work login of my first and last initial and they didn't know my middle one so they put an x in so I became AXL! She's a wealth of information so I hope you find it useful. I wouldn't imagine with a heterozygous mutation that clotting would be a problem but good to have it confirmed. Enjoy your weekend viewing!