Best Lab in UK for MTHFR DNA Test???

[knackersyard]

I’m looking to take a reliable MTHFR DNA Test.

The only tests I can find refer to “Ancestry”. Don’t need that.

Are there any proper Labs who just do the MTHFR Test?

Thanks

[fbirder]

Why do you want to take a MTHFR test?

The only useful information would be if you, like about 700,000,000 other people, including me, are homozygous for C677T. If you are then you can rectify any possible problems by supplementing with methylfolate. You may have read fairy stories about a MTHFR mutation meaning you need to take methylcobalamin. They are not true - b12science.com/B12Science/D...

If you still insist on a test then the ancestry tests are as reliable as any other. A test by ancestry.co.uk will cost £79. In the raw data will be your results for 59 locations on the MTHFR gene, including for the C677T mutation. You can then pay a small fee to somewhere like Promethease or Genetic Lifehacks for them to examine your raw data and tell you what mutations you have on the MTHFR gene. But be aware that almost everybody has at least one mutation.

I still say it's pointless. And it's not just me. The other testing company that you could use are 23andMe. This is what they say about it - 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.

In order for a connection between a genetic variant and a health condition to be considered real and clinically meaningful, well-run scientific studies need to show convincing and consistent evidence for that association. As statements from multiple scientific and medical organizations indicate, that is currently not the case for the common MTHFR variants.

My advice is to safe your money, buy three month's worth of methylfolate - amazon.co.uk/Folate-L-Methy... - and see if they make any difference to you. If they don't then you either do not have the harmful mutation or you aren't affected by it. If they do make a difference then you need to take them forever, but you've saved £80 on the test.

[knackersyard in reply to fbirder]

Thank fbirder

Very interesting & in-line with my own thoughts!

Reason I’m interested in the test :

Over the last 10 years I’ve had blood tests show Folate Deficiency, which I more or less ignored. I’d take Folic Acid for a few weeks, until I forgot.....

I recently read about MTHFR & it rang a bell.

I started taking Methyl Folate 8 days ago, so I’ll see how I get on.

I’ve got a long history of symptoms, which I’d like to get to the bottom of & traits in my Dad & his family make me sure there’s a hereditary link.

....and I’ve got two kids. So obviously anything I can do to save them from struggles I’ve had.

I’m loath to go to any “Ancestry” company. I’d put that sort of thing on a level of Horoscopes.

[fbirder in reply to knackersyard]

I had my DNA tested with three different companies a while ago, to try and get some help filling in half of my family tree (my father's side goes back to the 16th century, but my mother;s barely into the 19th century).

When started looking into genetics and health I found that the interwebs were packed full of people overinterpreting every tiny difference in your genes - mainly in a way that profits them. MTHFR is the worst. At first it was the 9% who were homozygous for C677T who were targeted. Then they invented 'compound heterozygous' for the 20% who had a single mutation in one of two SNPs. Now it seems that anybody with any mutation in that gene is lucky to be alive.

But when you do the calculations it turns out that about 99.96% of the population do have at least one mutation.

But a problem with the MTHFR enzyme cannot affect the results of a folate blood test. Whether you take folic acid or methylfolate you'll still have roughly the same amount of folate in your blood.

So try the methylfolate for a few months, then switch to folic acid. If you don't notice any change then try to stick with the folic acid.

[knackersyard in reply to fbirder]

Thanks again FB

I’ve no time for hearsay, I like facts & numbers. That’s why I wanted a test.

And I definitely don’t do airy fairy, no interest in the past.

I already know I’m Folate deficient. It’s shown in every blood test for 10 years.

And I eat tonnes of greens. Broccoli, Beans, cabbage, salad, you name it. So it would appear likely that I don’t methylate it.

Any idea what dose is recommended for deficiency? Mine are 400mcg, but I notice they’re also sold in 1000.

[fbirder in reply to knackersyard]

No. it doesn't mean you don't methylate it.

If you eat lots of green veg then you eat lots of folate. That will be in the form of methyltetrahydrofolate, dihydrofolate, tetrahydrofolate, methylenetetrahydrofolate and formyltetrahydrofolate. All will have multiple glutamic acid groups attached.

For folates in food the glutamic acid groups have to be removed before they can be absorbed. This is normally done by pancreatic protease enzymes. These need to be activated by acidic conditions.

If you have Pernicious Anaemia then you have low stomach acid, which makes it harder to absorb folates from food.

Folate in pills doesn't have these glutamic acid molecules attached, so they are easier to absorb.

For almost everybody 400 mcg a day of folic acid as a supplement is plenty.

I've written a summary of the science behind folate and B12 here - b12science.com/B12Science/D...

[knackersyard in reply to fbirder]

Wow! That’s interesting & a lot to take in.

I don’t have PA btw. My B12 was low (300), but that’s it.

I do believe I have low Stomach Acid though. I remember years ago buying Betaine HCl tablets & doing some test taking one a minute. Think I took 20 & felt nothing.

I’ve not taken Betaine for ages. Maybe I should start again.