MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.

MTHFR provides instructions for making methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.

The catalytic activity for MTHFR is 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and NAD(P). NAD(P) stands for Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate.

The cofactor for MTHFR is FAD. FAD is Flavin adenine dinucleotide. This molecule consists of riboflavin found in vitamin B2.

The enzyme regulation for MTHFR is S-adenosylmethionine better known is SAMe. SAMe is a common cosubstrate involved in methyl group transfers.

The most common SNPs (which stands for singular nucleotide polymorphisms) that are tested are C677T and A1298C.

When someone has a defect at one of these enzymes he or she can have an array of problems related to folate deficiency such as neural tube defects, spina bifida, elevated homocysteine, poor methylation issues, miscarriage, cancers and autoimmune diseases.

Find a good support system. There are many support groups on the internet that will assist you with your questions. Also finding a doctor or nutritionist that understands MTHFR and methylation is very important.

Just because you have an MTHFR SNP does not mean it is expressing. Many people have MTHFR but who are the ones in need for L-Methylfolate?
If folic acid levels are high, this is a strong indication that MTHFR is could be compromised. People who have this gene compromised will have trouble converting folic into the more active bioavailable form of folate so in turn you will see folate low if they are not getting folate rich foods like eggs, leafy greens, beans and berries.

The next step would be for your doctor to test whole serum folate. If you are eating a diet rich in natural folate such as leafy greens, beans, eggs and berries and your folate is still low, then your doctor will want to consider giving you a more active bioavailable form of folate.

When folate levels are not extremely low. Many people have done well on just 400mcg-800mcg of folate daily along with a folate (not folic) rich diet. Giving too much L-methylfolate to certain individuals can cause a back up in high folic acid levels for the folate that they are not utilizing. Unmetabolized folic acid is one of the risk factors in colorectal cancer. Excess folic acid (not folate) can then burn out folate receptors. High levels of L-methylfolate can put a burden on people with COMT V158M and H62H who have a hard time breaking down dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. Methyl donors like L-methylfolate can elevate epinephrine and lead to anxiety and panic attacks in individuals when COMT V158M and H62H are compromised.

You should be concerned about autoimmune diseases since folate plays a role in the immune system. Many people with MTHFR compromised have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is not the best test for these individuals. Testing must go much further. T3, T4, reverse T3/ T4, TG (thyroglobulin), TGAF (thyroblobulin antibody) and TPO (thyroid peroxidase).

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Again if you have concern, please find a doctor who will listen and run the proper tests before they say that there is nothing to worry about. When MTHFR is compromised there is much to worry about.

What is your homocysteine? Many doctors and nutritionists that know methylation and MTHFR are saying that a homocysteine between 6-8 is good and others are saying between a 7-9. If your homocysteine is over 9, there is a possibility that MTHFR is compromised and if it is below a 6 MTHFR could be compromised.

Your dosages should coincide with your b12 levels and many doctors that understand methylation can assist with this. Methylcobalamin is the most active form of B12 and the one that most doctors that know about methylation and MTHFR prescribe but it is not a good idea for people with COMT V158M and H62H compromised. Individuals with these COMT genes usually need to do hydroxy and/or adenosyl B12. Methylcobalamin can do more oxidative damage to people with COMT compromised.

Most people who have psoriasis have had pretty bad flare ups when taking L-Methylfolate. First what is causing the hyper reactive immune system should be looked into. What is causing the psoriasis? Diet, gluten,dairy, soy allergy, etc…

When folate is low glutathione will be low. Folate and MTHFR are part of the methylation pathway. Glutathione production is the end result of methylation. Glutathione is Mother Nature’s antioxidant. Without glutathione we cannot detox environmental toxins from the body and disease sets in.

Any disease related to low glutathione.

Yes it is. Folate deficiency, infertility and miscarriage is directly linked to MTHFR. Your OB/GYN should know the difference between folic acid and folate. Folate is what you need and folic is not what you need since people with MTHFR have a hard time converting folic into folate.

Yes. If MTHFR is compromised and your whole serum folate is low, methotrexate inhibits folate production. Low folate can lead to autoimmune diseases.

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Yes. Oral birth control pills have been known to reduce folate.

When oxalates are elevated, oxalic acid can shut off the folate cycle and many times must be addressed before folate supplementation can assist in getting folate levels up.