3 replies to this topic

[DarkRiver]

I found out recently that I have the MTHFR mutation. My report says: "This individual is heterozygous for the C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene." Apparently, being heterozygous is not as bad as being homozygous.

 

The standard recommended course of action for this mutation is to supplement with folic acid, folinic acid, or folate (supposedly the latter two are preferable).

 

However, during the past year I have had my B12 and folate levels checked and they have been good:

 

Vitamin B12, 638 PG/ML (180-914), March 2016

Vitamin B12, 801 PG/ML (200-1100), May 2017

 

Folate, 15.9 NG/ML (>4.0), March 2016

Folate, 17.0 NG/ML (>5.4), May 2017

 

What's odd is that despite only occasionally taking a multivitamin, my Vitamin B6 levels keep coming back high:

 

Vitamin B6, 47.6 NG/ML (2.1 - 21.7), July 2016 - High

Vitamin B6, 27.8 NG/ML (2.1 - 21.7), May 2017 - High

 

So my questions based on the above are:

 

1. Should I still take a daily or frequent B12+folate supplement? The one I have contains "folate (as Metafolin®, L-5-MTHF) 800 mcg, and vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) 800 mcg".

 

2. Should I not take my multivitamin anymore to help bring down my B6 level? The vitamin which I take 2-3 times weekly contains 4.16 mg of B6 as pyridoxine HCI, or 208% of the daily recommended value. Should I switch to pyridoxal-5-phospate (activated B6) instead?

 

My primary symptoms are depression, brain fog and cognitive impairment which you can read about here if you choose. Searches on Pub Med have found some links between MTHFR C677T and depression. Thanks so much for any advice you can provide.

 

 

 

 

 

[pamojja]

A homocysteine test would tell you more which way to go.

 

The problem for example with serum folate, to a lesser degree with B6 and B12, is that total folates including unmetabolized folic acid is tested. Folic acid - which we get too much of through fortified foods - has still to be metabolized in a multi-step reaction to active methylfolate. Now unmetabolized folic acid at too high doses could even block B9 receptors, effectively making you deficient despite accurate serum levels or additional supplementation in the right form.

 

Therefore again, a homocysteine would tell you more.

[DarkRiver]

A homocysteine test would tell you more which way to go.

 

Okay, here are my two homocysteine results. Thanks.

 

Homocysteine, 8.9 (<11.4 umol/L), May 2017

Homocysteine, 9.7 (<11.4 umol/L), November 2016

[pamojja]

Homocysteine, 8.9 (<11.4 umol/L), May 2017
Homocysteine, 9.7 (<11.4 umol/L), November 2016

 
Looks not bad. Normal with my lab is < 10, optimal would be between 4 to 8. Not far to go. In my case with an avg. of 10 additional supplemented B6, B9 and B12 didn't helped with that as much as TMG at above 2 g/d.
 
However, within these 8 years I tested I also saw large fluctuations, like from 6.4 to 14.1. So it pays to keep attention long term, to see how different supplemental amounts influence your metabolism.
 
By the way, my serum levels have been in average much higher: 1600 pg/ml B12, 22 ng/ml B9 and 160 µg/L B6 (16.8-45 normal range).