MTHFR Gene testing / Homocysteine levels

[Needleandthread44]

Hi all

Has anyone done the test to see if they have the MTHFR gene or had their Homocysteine levels checked?

Is it worth doing?

Thanks

Clare

[Eternalwarrior]

Yes, I had it done after my baby boy was born sleeping and I suffer from recurrent miscarriages. There is also a history of stroke in my family. That was part of the investigations they did. I also have Graves' disease. Do you mind me asking why you are considering having those tests done?

[Needleandthread44 in reply to Eternalwarrior]

I am so sorry to hear about your baby boy and the difficult time you have been through.

I was considering it for my Dad. He is hypothyroid but also has a lot of inflammation and there is a history of stroke in my family too.

I don't know whether it is possible to request through GP or if it has to be done privately?

[Eternalwarrior in reply to Needleandthread44]

Thank you for your nice words!

I had it done on the NHS and if there is a history of stroke in your family (like in mine), I would highly recommend some blood clotting screening. I had those tests and some more done. I have a lot of inflammation too and a few autoinmune conditions (including an overactive thyroid due to Graves) and was diagnosed with APS (antiphospholipid syndrome) thanks to that blood clotting screening.

I wish your dad all the best

[Marz in reply to Eternalwarrior]

So sad reading about your baby boy x

[Eternalwarrior in reply to Marz]

Thank you xx

[Marz]

Yes I had Homocysteine checked when I lived in Crete having read about it many years ago. It seems when they were researching atherosclerosis they found Hcy along with Cholesterol. Sadly statins were in development so the Hcy results were hidden as resolving raised levels only needed a good B Complex. Nothing to see - move along to the $$ machine !

My results were in double figures and soon reduced when treated. Raised levels are more of an indicator for heart attacks and strokes and also low levels of B12 in the cells.

Apologies for the ramble ! MTHFR - sorry no experience of this test and have read mixed reports. Sometimes it's the the things we cannot see or feel going on that are important 🌻

[Needleandthread44 in reply to Marz]

Thank you! So would you say it was a good B complex that has helped you the most? I have actually just ordered my dad Thorne B Basic complex

[Marz in reply to Needleandthread44]

I take Thorne Research B Complex to keep B vits in balance as I self-inject B12 weekly. Which in turn must have helped the reduction of Hcy. So on that issue I would say yes. The best overall help had been adding T3 to T4 and then going T3 only.

I see you have ordered Thorne for your Dad. Did your Dad test B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD ? When all are optimal thyroid hormones work better ....

[Needleandthread44 in reply to Marz]

Thank you! Yes here is my post about my dad's latest results healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Marz in reply to Needleandthread44]

Apologies - have just this minute read your earlier post ! VitD is fat soluble so Doctors Best VitD made with Olive Oil so cuts out the need to take D tablets from Doc with a fat containing meal ! Around 4000 iu's would work well if tolerated.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I already had genealogy results from Ancestry DNA so paid a small amount (under £15) to have them analyzed for genes on a site mentioned here. Turns out I have 1 copy each of 2 MTHFR genes making me compound heterozygous.

I'm not sure your GP will know what you're talking about. Seems fertility/pregnancy loss clinics now test for it but it's a very specialised area and not widely known. Sadly my late miscarriages happened before this discovery.

In all honesty, if you do suspect it might be an issue the dietary changes are simple, as is the supplementation. Remove gluten from the diet (may be causing your fathers inflammation?) some also need to remove dairy and soy, eat non processed, whole foods and avoid toxins in your water and environment. The active B complex will help a lot but if he has this gene he may need more than the B complex. Check by blood results. Can top up with occassional 1mg separate methylfolate capsules. Getting to a good dose can be tricky as once you start taking folate and your body starts to detox then it can make you feel ill/anxious etc. If that happens then just pause for a day or so then restart. It's called pulsing.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

look at DNA testing

mthfr-genetics.co.uk/

Or same company can evaluate Ancestry or 23andme results

Homocysteine test

Not currently available by post

Need to go there

nutris.viapath.co.uk/pages/...