MTHFR gene

[SurferDude]

Anyone else have the MTHFR gene mutation? If you have done 23 and Me or similar gene tracking you can check. I have 2 "T" in mine which means that I only absorb maybe 20% of the folate that people without this genetic marker have. It also means that folic acid (common addition to procesed bread and found in cheaper B vitamin supplements) is toxic. Curious if this is common in the IPT group.

[kathleenp]

I would like to hear more as I take vitamin c

[Catou142]

Good morning,

I am very interested in what you are saying as I have recently had results for my folate levels from Medichecks and it was low (3).

I also have been trying to analyse my 23andme genome by entering it into Livewello.

I was: 'MTHFR A1298C rs1801131 - GT' which might mean: 'This phenotype has reduced MTHFR enzyme activity, due to GT genotype for rs1801131 compared to people with other genotypes. Other clinical, genetic or environmental factors may influence this outcome.

Reduced function of this gene prevents people from converting dietary folate or supplemental folic acid into active forms. It also causes higher levels of homocysteine which is associated with diseases such as stroke, vascular dementia and coronary artery disease.

Supplementation with L5-Methyl Folate has been shown to lower homocysteine by 15% in those affected by MTHFR C677T rs1801133.

Supplementation with Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B2 are also useful because, Methyl cobalamin (a form of Vitamin B12) is a cofactor of methionine synthetase which converts homocysteine to methionine. RIboflavin (Vitamin B2) is a cofactor of MTHFR, stabilizing the enzyme and increasing its efficiency.'

(please bear in mind that Livewello's health data and information need careful studying to be able to fully understand and safely use them)

I would like to understand this a lot more as I am looking for the root cause(s) of my hypothyroidism. I don't want to take lots of potentially toxic vitamin supplements either.

Have you heard much about the 'active form' of vit. B9, which would be less toxic? I looked up Pure Encapsulations as it is recommended by Dr. Wentz but wondering if there are others, more available in the UK.

[SurferDude in reply to Catou142]

I am experimenting with TMG (betaine) to lower homosystine levels,. ( In addition to daily leafy greens, B12 and methyl folate). It's all experimentation at this point and I have no definitive results. I am getting TMG in bulk from bulk supplements which makes it affordable. I recently went from 1/2 teaspoon once a day to 1/2 teaspoon twice a day.