Faulty Gene?

[pom01326]

I had a gene test at 23andme. The MTHFR A1298c rs1801131 GG +/+ gene seems faulty. Could this be the cause of my Vitamin B12 deficiency? I have been taking Xantac for a number of years.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

MTHFR variants have more to do with metabolisation of folate than B12 - it can have a minor impact on metabolising B12 but this is metabolising it after it has got into cells rather than affecting your ability to absorb it from food, so would be unlikely to have an impact on levels in your blood - if it had any impact at all on blood levels it would probably be to raise them rather than lower them.

Zantac appears to be a PPI - used to reduce production of stomach acidity - as B12 absorption needs a certain amount of acidity PPIs are known to cause problems with the absorption of B12 - more likely that this is the reason for a B12 deficiency than any MTHFR variant.

Suggest you talk to your GP about how you are using zantac - particularly if it was a prescription medication - and if you could stop/how you could stop.

Please note though that heartburn and acid reflux are also symptoms of low stomach acidity so may be possible, if you were prescribed it for these conditions that your underlying problem was low stomach acidity - in which case that would be the underlying cause of your absorption problem and deficiency.

[pom01326 in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you, I was originally on Omeprazole for a Haitus hernia, I swapped to xantac and peptac when my hair was falling out a couple of years ago. I am on 3 monthly injections, last one 1/8, I am now getting all the symptoms again, including my hair falling out. I take folic acid daily.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to pom01326]

well, does sound as if it is the PPI that is the problem - suggest you follow up with your doctor

[coisty1971 in reply to pom01326]

Hi, are you taking folic acid or methyl folate? You should definitely speak to your doctor. Years of living with unknown low b12 due to those gene defects could have been the reason you were given antacids for your stomach. In my case I believe my hiatus hernia could have been avoided if I started b12 sooner. Anyone with suspected b12 issues alongside stomach and anxiety problems should be tested for low stomach acid before taking antacids as these will only make the low b12 worse. In my case my stomach issues were the first sign noticed in my late teens.

[pom01326]

Folic acid.

[coisty1971 in reply to pom01326]

Please don't take my advice but speak to your doctor or others on here with more knowledge but people with mthfr gene defects are usually advised not to take folic acid but to take methyl folate instead.