MTHFR follow-up

[hedgehog]

The MTHFR gene is connected with the metabolism of B-vitamins. There are two known mutations of this gene. It is known that people who receive mutated genes from both parents have specific problems. What happens to people who receive a single bad gene (I.e. they are carriers of the gene) isn't as clear cut, but there are indications that having a single bad gene can be a problem in some cases. From what I can make out, a single bad gene may or may not interact with other genetic and environmental factors to be an issue.

So -

my sister has had intractable migraine for 50 years. I told her about this gene, and that one of my kids is a carrier. The gene has a link to migraine, and migraine runs through my father's family like the red hair we all have.

So -

my sister started taking Vitamin B supplements- nothing outlandish, just the OTC supplement. Her headaches are much better.

Could be a coincidence, could be a connection. :shrug: This is a single anecdote, not peer reviewed research! It's something to talk with your doctor about.

http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MTHFR
http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Condition/8230/QnA/23718/Homocysteinemia.aspx


Be careful - the research is just starting and may never produce clear cut results because of all the variables involved. Just about everything that can be connected to this gene can also be caused by other factors. There are people out there who will gladly take your money to tell you anything you want to hear about this gene. I'm already seeing sites featuring MTHFR gurus which weren't there a few months ago when I first looked into this.

[MADem]

1. Fascinating stuff--I often think that a simple tweak can do more than all sorts of expensive meds.

I gotta say, though--who named this thing MTHFR? It looks not unlike a "text-speak" abbreviation for muthaf--r!!

[hedgehog]

2. The name follows typical medical short hand - it's short for “methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (

My husband and i refer to it as the "Samuel Jackson gene".

[MADem]

3. .....!!!

Snakes on a methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase plane!!!


:rofl:

[grasswire]

4. a family member was diagnosed this year with the MTHFR deficiency.

It took several doctors and a lot of testing to find this. Her symptoms were overwhelming fatigue, and she is treated with folate supplement.

Surprise! Now she is pregnant with twins, at age 47. It has been 19 years since she bore her latest child. Now she is in a high-risk pregnancy.

Apparently folate treatment can increase fertility or somethin' like that.