Methylation issues with faulty MTHFR ... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

32,617 members23,974 posts

Methylation issues with faulty MTHFR gene

NorfolkRose profile image
13 Replies

So I've received my genetic results from 23andme, and according to livewello, I have issues with my MTHFR gene and with methylation (amongst other things).

Where is the best place to get the results interpreted, and get advice re diet/treatment?

Btw, I'm in the UK.

Written by
NorfolkRose profile image
NorfolkRose
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
13 Replies
fbirder profile image
fbirder

Genetic Genie geneticgenie.org/methylatio... do a very good analysis for methylation problems.

Although I'm not a doctor, I can offer some advice if you do have methylation problems. The MTHFR protein processes the final step in the production of methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF). MTHF is what is used to activate B12 by methylating it. If you don't have enough MTHF then your B12 can't do its job properly. Taking MTHF (called methyl folate or Metafolin) can create the MTHF that you're lacking.

Dietary advice is the same for everybody - eat a balanced diet. If you suspect some foods cause problems then remove them from your diet for a few weeks, then slowly reintroduce them. Resist the temptation to believe woo-woo fads. Anybody who says that 'x-superfood' can fix your problems is a snake-oil-selling con artist (or somebody who has already been conned by one).

NorfolkRose profile image
NorfolkRose in reply tofbirder

"If you don't have enough MTHF then your B12 can't do its job properly. Taking MTHF (called methyl folate or Metafolin) can create the MTHF that you're lacking"

Thank you. I've also used GeneticGenie, but the MTHF doesn't show up in the report.

Kinda related; I'm ok with COMs, but not with VDR Taq. Supposed to effect dopamine regulation, etc (causes low moods). How did yours come out?

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toNorfolkRose

MTHF won't show up at n the genetic genie results because it's not a gene. It's the product of the enzyme MTHFR, which is encoded by the MTHFR gene.

I'm still waiting for my 23andMe results. I've used my FTDNA results, but they're not as comprehensive.

deniseinmilden profile image
deniseinmilden in reply tofbirder

Thank you very much for making this clear.

May I ask where you get your methylfolate from, please?

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply todeniseinmilden

Like almost everything I buy nowadays, I get methyl folate from Amazon. amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Formula...

deniseinmilden profile image
deniseinmilden in reply tofbirder

Thank you!

Allyson1 profile image
Allyson1

healthtipsfromtheprofessor....

A good video about methylfolate.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toAllyson1

Very interesting. I would summarise it by saying...

For most people folic acid is just as good as methyl folate. However, a small percentage of people do benefit from supplementing with methyl folate rather than folic acid.

So, why take the risk? If you've been tested as positive for known methylation problems why not take methyl folate? Yes, it may not work any better than folic acid, but there's a chance that it will. And it won't work any worse. The only downside is that it's a little more expensive.

Allyson1 profile image
Allyson1 in reply tofbirder

Methylfolate may have huge side effects in some people. It did for me. Lots of people are reporting pretty scary side effects. And we can't assume it's completely safe for everyone.

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

There are at least 40 genetic variations that can cause methylation problems, though there are two variations that are particularly common - some more details on the most common are below

I'm not an expert by any means - don't know if it is a factor for me or not.

ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MTHFR

Because the gene could come from either one or two parents so you could have a single copy or a double copy of the variation that can also impact on exactly what issues you might have with the methylation process. Knowing that you have genetic variations that affect methylation is part of the process but - as allyson's response indicates - you really need to know exactly which genes, and hence which problems you are likely to encounter.

This article gives some advice on diet and supplementation that you may find useful, if it is C677t that is affecting you - the other genetic variation is

mthfr.net/mthfr-c677t-mutat...

NorfolkRose profile image
NorfolkRose in reply toGambit62

Thank you Gambit for the links. I do have elevated homocysteine (sp?) and also B12 (tested at St Thomas), so I'm thinking that the body isn't utilizing the B12 very well.

deniseinmilden profile image
deniseinmilden

By chance I have come across the following site:

annepemberton.co.uk/vitamin...

I have no experience of it/her but you could try posting your questions at the end of the article and see what you get.

Has anyone else seen this? (My apologies if you have posted it before and I haven't seen it). I found the things she says clear and simple to understand.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply todeniseinmilden

Not seen that before, but I wouldn't trust anything from somebody who doesn't even know the difference between 'wild type' and 'wildcard' when discussing genetics, as well as numerous other errors.

This seems a good example of the sort of thing that the video liked to by Allyson1 warns about.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

MTHFR / Methylation Pathways Testing & B12 Query

Hi All Firstly thanks again to everyone who kindly took the time to respond with help and advice...

Faulty Gene?

I had a gene test at 23andme. The MTHFR A1298c rs1801131 GG +/+ gene seems faulty. Could this be...
pom01326 profile image

MTHFR gene

Does anyone else have MTHFR gene mutation? How does it affect your PA treatment? And Diet?...
CW12 profile image

MTHFR gene Over/Undermethylation

Hi Everyone, I had a follow-up interview with the GP (not in Canada) who says he doesn't see any...
terrybraden profile image

MTHFR

I'm fairly new here and this is my first post. Has anyone had genetic testing for MTHFR...

Moderation team

See all
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator
Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator
taka profile image
takaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.