MTHFR: Hi I have pa and was wondering... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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MTHFR

Scothyroidy profile image
15 Replies

Hi I have pa and was wondering if it is worth getting MTHFR testing? And where in the UK would be best for this?

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Scothyroidy profile image
Scothyroidy
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15 Replies
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

PA is a problem with absorbing B12

There are a number of genes that control how B12 is used in cells but MTHFR isn't one of them.

MTHFR is a gene that controls methylation in cells - variants don't have a significant effect on processisng of B12 in cells - it has more to do with folate.

Scothyroidy profile image
Scothyroidy in reply toGambit62

Yes of course but as some one who self injects on alternate days I need to take cofactors including 5mg folic acid, which is quite heavy on my insides hence the inquiry.

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator in reply toScothyroidy

5mg is a megadose of folic acid - likely to be more than you need unless you are actually deficient. To much folate can cause problems. The dose you are taking is used in the UK to treat someone who has been identified as having a folate deficiency. A b12 absorption can also affect your ability to absorb folate but as far as I am aware it should be enough to warrant using folic acid at that dose for more than a couple of monts.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toScothyroidy

Injecting B12 frequently does not increase the body's requirements for folate - or anything else.

It's like having an oil leak in your car. It means you have to put oil in much more frequently, but the amount of radiator coolant or windscreen washer fluid doesn't change.

So the standard dose of 400 mcg a day should be fine.

Scothyroidy profile image
Scothyroidy in reply tofbirder

If I don't take 5mg folic acid and a B complex my urine is right orange and I feel ill.

b12deficiency.info/b12-trea...

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toScothyroidy

Does that website you link to say that you need to overdose on folic acid?

No. It says -

If you are B12 deficient it is essential to have your folate (vitamin B9) and ferritin levels (iron storage) monitored

Scothyroidy profile image
Scothyroidy in reply tofbirder

You can't overdose on folic acid it, like b12, is water soluble.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toScothyroidy

Hydrogen cyanide is water soluble.

Scothyroidy profile image
Scothyroidy in reply tofbirder

Pregnant women with diabetes are prescribed 5mg folic acid a day... Overdose?

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toScothyroidy

Only if they are found to be deficient or are in a high-risk group for neural tube defects, and only for a short period of time.

Sorry, I didn't realise you were pregnant.

Scothyroidy profile image
Scothyroidy in reply tofbirder

It's standard practice to put diabetic women on 5mg if they fall pregnant. No ifs no buts. If a pregnant woman and her foetus can tolerate 5mg folic acid it isn't an overdose for anybody.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toScothyroidy

So why do they not continue 5 mg for longer than 12 weeks after birth?

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toScothyroidy

Are you sure you haven't got that the wrong way round?

Bright orange urine can be caused by too much B2.

Scothyroidy profile image
Scothyroidy in reply tofbirder

I take a B complex but the b2 isn't that high.

fbirder profile image
fbirder

One of the biggest genetic test companies in the world are 23andMe. They obviously have a vested interest in getting as many people as possible tested. Here is what they say about MTHFR - blog.23andme.com/health-tra...

Based on the existing data, scientists at 23andMe have concluded that people should not interpret their genotypes at the common MTHFR variants as having an effect on their health.

If you are worried about having the problematic mutation (homozygous C677T) then, rather than spend money on a test, why not try supplementing with methylfolate? If you do have a MTHFR problem then it is totally solved by taking methylfolate.

The only problem with doing so is that it costs more than folic acid (about 10p per capsule instead of 1p). Over a year I spend about £40 a year on methylfolate.

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