“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say “My tooth is aching” than to say “My heart is broken.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
What is the MTHFR mutation?
I don't want to make your mind explode so let's simplify this. MTHFR stands for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (methyl-ene-tetra-hydro-folate-reductase). The MTHFR gene is responsible for making a functional MTHFR enzyme. If the MTHFR gene is slightly altered (mutated), the MTHFR enzyme’s shape becomes distorted. Enzyme function depends a lot on shape. It is similar to the grooves on a key. If the grooves on a key are slightly different than the lock, the key may fit and turn the lock a little but it does not unlock the door. The genetic code of the MTHFR enzyme must be perfect in order for it to function properly. A dysfunctional MTHFR enzyme may lead to a slew of health problems. I would personally describe it as your body trying to destroy anything and everything possible but still maintaining it's basic functions.
Symptoms, syndromes and conditions
MTHFR gene mutations can cause absolutely no symptoms at all. They can also cause severe irreversible health conditions such as Down’s syndrome.
This is a very basic list. You can find more information at mthfr.net:
Diagnostic tests
You can go to your doctor or any blood draw center such as Lab Corp. The test ranges from $150-$250 and takes about 2 weeks on average to get your results. If you already know you have a MTHFR mutation, especially more than one copy (homozygous or compound heterozygous), then I believe you should be notifying all your siblings and relatives – and parents – and children. They need to test for MTHFR – again – especially if homozygous or compound heterozygous. A single copy is very common and not very severe in many cases – in some cases, a single MTHFR mutation can contribute to many health problems.
Treatment
You can bring your results to you doctor and see what they can do for you. Many doctors do not understand the MTHFR mutation and the effects it can cause; however, more and more are slowly waking up to the seriousness of MTHFR mutations. Now – the supplement recommendations need to be tailored to the individual regardless of which genetic variants you have. Working with a physician trained in this area of medicine is key. I would recommend visiting mthfr.net for good advice on medications, diet, lifestyle and environment but having a physician to monitor your health is best way to go.
Honestly, just having a community of people with like struggles can be just as healing.
Educate yourself. Find out more...
MTHFR.net
Beyondmthfr.com
Support:
Mthfrsupport.com
Diet and exercise:
Nutritiondata.self.com
Mthfrliving.com
Find a doctor in Utah:
I have not been treated by these doctors. This is a source list copied from MTHFR.org. Be sure that if you decided to be treated for this condition, that your doctor is well educated for your specific problem.
Nancy Foster, APRN/PHD
Therapeutic Lifestyle Center of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
www.healthgrades.com
Thad Jacobs, ND/LAc
Summit Integrative Medicine
Salt Lake City, UT
www.summitintegrative.com
Thad Jacobs, ND/LAc
Summit Integrative Medicine
Park City, UT
www.summitintegrative.com
Jeff Wright, ND
Utah Valley Health Clinic
Provo, UT
www.utahvalleyhealthclinic.com
I don't want to make your mind explode so let's simplify this. MTHFR stands for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (methyl-ene-tetra-hydro-folate-reductase). The MTHFR gene is responsible for making a functional MTHFR enzyme. If the MTHFR gene is slightly altered (mutated), the MTHFR enzyme’s shape becomes distorted. Enzyme function depends a lot on shape. It is similar to the grooves on a key. If the grooves on a key are slightly different than the lock, the key may fit and turn the lock a little but it does not unlock the door. The genetic code of the MTHFR enzyme must be perfect in order for it to function properly. A dysfunctional MTHFR enzyme may lead to a slew of health problems. I would personally describe it as your body trying to destroy anything and everything possible but still maintaining it's basic functions.
Symptoms, syndromes and conditions
MTHFR gene mutations can cause absolutely no symptoms at all. They can also cause severe irreversible health conditions such as Down’s syndrome.
This is a very basic list. You can find more information at mthfr.net:
- Endometriosis
- PCOD
- Autism
- Addictions: smoking, drugs, alcohol
- Down syndrome
- Miscarriages
- Pulmonary embolisms
- Depression in Post-Menopausal Women
- Schizophrenia
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Chemical Sensitivity
- Parkinson’s
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Pre-eclampsia
- Stroke
- Spina bifida
- Esophageal Squamous cell carcinoma
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
- Vascular Dementia
- Bipolar disorder
- Colorectal Adenoma
- Idiopathic male infertility
- Blood clots
- Rectal cancer
- Meningioma
- Glioma
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Infant depression via epigenetic processes caused by maternal depression
- Deficits in childhood cognitive development
- Gastric Cancer
- Migraines with aura
- Low HDL
- High homocysteine
- Post-menopausal breast cancer
- Atherosclerosis
- Oral Clefts
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Primary Closed Angle Glaucoma
- Alzheimer’s
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Decreased telomere length
- Potential drug toxicities: methotrexate, anti-epileptics
- Cervical dysplasia
- Increased bone fracture risk in post-menopausal women
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Essential Hypertension
- Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
- Prostate Cancer
- Premature Death
- Placental Abruption
- Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
- Methotrexate Toxicity
- Nitrous Oxide Toxicity
- Heart Murmurs
- Tight Anal Sphincters
- Tongue Tie
- Midline Defects (many are listed above)
- Behcet’s Disease
- Ischemic Stroke in Children
- Unexplained Neurologic Disease
- Asthma
- Shortness of Breath
- Bladder Cancer
- Anecephaly
Diagnostic tests
You can go to your doctor or any blood draw center such as Lab Corp. The test ranges from $150-$250 and takes about 2 weeks on average to get your results. If you already know you have a MTHFR mutation, especially more than one copy (homozygous or compound heterozygous), then I believe you should be notifying all your siblings and relatives – and parents – and children. They need to test for MTHFR – again – especially if homozygous or compound heterozygous. A single copy is very common and not very severe in many cases – in some cases, a single MTHFR mutation can contribute to many health problems.
Treatment
You can bring your results to you doctor and see what they can do for you. Many doctors do not understand the MTHFR mutation and the effects it can cause; however, more and more are slowly waking up to the seriousness of MTHFR mutations. Now – the supplement recommendations need to be tailored to the individual regardless of which genetic variants you have. Working with a physician trained in this area of medicine is key. I would recommend visiting mthfr.net for good advice on medications, diet, lifestyle and environment but having a physician to monitor your health is best way to go.
Honestly, just having a community of people with like struggles can be just as healing.
Educate yourself. Find out more...
MTHFR.net
Beyondmthfr.com
Support:
Mthfrsupport.com
Diet and exercise:
Nutritiondata.self.com
Mthfrliving.com
Find a doctor in Utah:
I have not been treated by these doctors. This is a source list copied from MTHFR.org. Be sure that if you decided to be treated for this condition, that your doctor is well educated for your specific problem.
Nancy Foster, APRN/PHD
Therapeutic Lifestyle Center of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
www.healthgrades.com
Thad Jacobs, ND/LAc
Summit Integrative Medicine
Salt Lake City, UT
www.summitintegrative.com
Thad Jacobs, ND/LAc
Summit Integrative Medicine
Park City, UT
www.summitintegrative.com
Jeff Wright, ND
Utah Valley Health Clinic
Provo, UT
www.utahvalleyhealthclinic.com
Sources:
MTHFR.net
beyondmthfr.com
MTHFR.net
beyondmthfr.com