So I was literally looking to book gene testing re MTHFR, and then found 23andme where you get raw genetic data and go off and get it translated. I thought, why not get the full data that includes the MTHFR tests rather than pay lots for thia test independently plus possible other gene tests in future. It would save money to go the 23andme route. So then I did a lot of researching into 23andme and was about to buy their genetic test when I found this article...
PS the reason I was going to have the gene test was because I have folate deficiency. I was prescribed 5mg folic acid and couldn't tolerate it. Someone here mentioned about MTHFR testing. But now I feel I'm chasing my tail again. Since the blood tests showing folate deficiency I've just been trying to increase my folate naturally with diet changes.
I'm thinking now I should forget this whole MTHFR thing and just focus on diet adjustments to improve folate??
I take B12,B6 & folate in the methyl form.They are not expensive.I also take NAC to combat possible high homocysteine as a result of doing the 23&me test.
very relieved to read the article you have posted & stop worrying & leave it at that.
I think the article is reassuring for people in good health, who are worried about the implications of MTHFR mutations. At a glance, it doesn't refer to people who may have good reasons for testing, e.g. they are already ill and have Pernicious Anaemia, or other suspected B12 malabsorption like hypo-T. Such people may need to know if their methylation is compromised.
Edit: if you are only interested in MTHFR mutations, maybe just take methylfolate instrad?
My doctor ordered this test because of a suspected deficiency and it was covered by my Care First insurance plan. My test was positive and I now take B vitamins specific for this condition. There are natural sources of Folate that you may want to explore: healthaliciousness.com/arti...
I think all of this is rubbish. If the situation would be as bad as its made out to be, you wouldn't even be here asking questions. You would have stalled out in your infancy.
Best is to look up 'foods that contain folate' and decide which ones you are willing to add to your diet on a very regular basis. Pulses (beans) contain loads of folate. More than green leaves ounce for ounce, but leaves and mushrooms are good too.
Same with looking up food sources of B12. Except for whatever reason, today's woman goes 'oooo, yuk' at the mention of liver which is THE B12 Bomb. Liver also contains iron, copper, vitamin A (as opposed to beta carotene) and a panoply of B vitamins. Must everything people eat these days be bland or worse yet, sweet?
Pork kidneys are The Selenium Bomb except many people don't know how to cook them. And really, they can be prepared in a way that no one would know they are eating kidneys. Big hint: T4 is stored in the kidneys. That's why kidneys contain selenium: so they provide the enzyme to convert T4 into active T3. Then the T3 goes into the bloodstream. There is something to the traditional Chinese medicine advice to eat the organs we need to improve our own.
Oysters are the Zinc and vitamin K2 bomb.
I really do not understand why it is that especially women are so adverse to precisely those foods which would provide them with the necessary vitamins and minerals to maintain health. Why is this the case? The best part about cooking organ meats is they are inexpensive and a person doesn't need to eat huge heaping portions.
Pills will never fully replace getting nutrition from whole foods. They can be used as a stopgap until a person is feeling energetic enough to fetch and carry for themselves. Healthy eating needs planning because all the junkfood out there is ubiquitous in most people's diets these days. When I was growing up there were no 'convenience foods'. We had to cook from ingredients. This convenience food, fast food industry spawns nutritional deficiencies and excess calories. We can't permit these big corporations that produce what is supposedly food to determine what it is we need to maintain our health. With the exception of Heinz beans in tomato sauce and tinned fish.
There are some excellent cookbooks out there these days. I saw one today for 365 recipes for soup. For example. I checked it out, and it looks excellent. Just I don't need yet another cookbook.
As an endnote: we are having a particularly nasty H3N2 influenza epidemic. It's official. I don't know about you Brits, but over here in North America, emergency rooms in hospitals are chock a block with people having the pneumonia. Vitamin D3 is DA BOMB for the immune system to prevent susceptibility to viruses like influenza, rhinovirus etc. We need to get our levels up and unless you are willing to consume entire little fishies twice a day, go for the supplement. Cod liver contains way more Vitamin A than D. But fish skin does contain vitamin D3. Please bear in mind that all tinned fish is wildcaught not farmed. So it's good stuff.
Hi gabkad, not sure what you mean by this... "I think all of this is rubbish. If the situation would be as bad as its made out to be, you wouldn't even be here asking questions. You would have stalled out in your infancy." ?
If these genes result in a super duper deficiency situation, then you would have been a terribly sickly little child. It would have been apparent a long time ago that something was 'off'. Failure to thrive is a good description. If you weren't then this all is something that's come about through not eating a good diet.
Even pernicious anemia, as an autoimmune disease as is Hashimoto starts in the gut. Lots of people do better when they eliminate gluten from the diet in re: Hashimoto. Not everyone. The gut microbiome must be maintained in good health because our health depends on those bacteria. Feed them what they need and they'll make sure you get what you need.
How do you know that I wasn't ill as a child?? I'm sorry but I'm finding what you're saying very upsetting. I am already trying to prove to drs that I am unwell. We all know here surely how hard that is? I feel attacked. Thanks! Like I need to prove here too that I'm not well. I feel like leaving this forum now thanks so much gabkad
I'm not attacking you. You asked what do people think of all the MTHFR stuff and I gave you my opinion. Which doesn't vary from the 23 and me site. Do you feel attacked by the information on the website?
Don't leave the forum, just take what some people say with a pinch of salt. I know what you mean, when I read the reply I was shocked, she certainly seemed to be venting her spleen at you, but maybe that's down to her being an American -- British English and American English at times may as well be different languages. I've received replies in the past to queries which came across as personal attacks, including one which kept creeping into block capitals. I'm sure it wasn't meant that way, it was just the wording used wasn't very tactful and the lady replying was a little over zealous with her phraseology!
Actually, gabkad is Canadian, and there was no venting of spleen in her reply. She was just giving her opinion, as requested. People shouldn't ask for opinions if they're going to take offence at any opinion that doesn't agree with theirs. What's the point?
tinkerbell22 it may be worth posting this question on the Pernicious Anaemia forum here on health unlocked. They have some very informed and wise people who may be able to give you some advice. ☺️
I'm studying nutritional therapy and was diagnosed 3.5 yrs ago with ME. At my very first lecture weekend, the lecturer (also qualified nutritional therapist) shared she also had ME, had the MTHFR gene and took active/methyl B12 and folate and felt significantly better. I did a bit of research myself but didn't take it any further at the time.
A few wks later I was looking at some blood tests from a year ago as I was about to have some more, and was reminded I had high b12 and high folate without supplementation. I googled 'high b12 high folate cfs' and lo and behold lots of info came up about MTHFR, dr axe (?) I think was useful. So I thought should I get the generic test or try the vitamins and see what happens? I did the latter after looking at this and checking with my complementary therapist. Another thing convinced me I have the MTHFR gene is apparently it also expresses as a tongue tie, my mum, sister, niece, daughter and myself have this!
Basically after taking the supps I felt better after 3 days, it literally felt like I had been plugged back in, I felt better than I had in years.
Regarding the comments about genetics, it needs to be remembered that it only shows genetic predisposition to issues, those genes need to be switched on by something, usually lifestyle and infections. Mine was likely to have been glandular fever as a teenager, which may well have triggered hypothyroidism as well, and ME as some source believe.
I might well get my genetics tested at some point given the others issues I have (also gluten intolerant, hypo has just gone to hashimotos, for my daughter etc) but as you say, you do need to get any results 'translated' which will cost extra. Have a look at Tim Spector's work for easy to understand genetics, I saw him at a conference recently and he's great.
So if I were you I'd take the vits and see how you feel. Interestingly I have low ferritin and I'm now wondering if that is a conversion issue too given I have food diet, next thing on the list to fix!
Finally, we know so much more now than we ever did, research is moving on so quickly (gut bacteria anyone?!) so we'll need to keep learning.
Forgot to mention, the theory for the reason I had high folate and high b12 before taking the methyl forms is that I was getting it from my diet but my body wasn't activating it and using it, therefore high levels showing in blood test
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