FAQ’s

This acronym stands for Methylene-TetraHydroFolate Reductase. It is an enzyme that converts the folate you eat into the active form that your body needs to use. The 2 main genes involved in this process are MTHFR C677T and A1298C

• You might be suffering from any of the conditions on the conditions page.

• You might have long standing fatigue, and just don’t feel good even though you have had many tests and many doctors/specialists/practitioners have said that there is nothing wrong with you
• You may have female members of your family that have had a miscarriage or multiple miscarriages, or who have given birth to a child with Neural Tube Defects, cleft lip/palate or Down syndrome
• You may have oestrogen dominant conditions like: fibrocystic breasts, fibrocystic ovaries, heavy periods, fibroids, endometriosis, terrible PMS
• You may have family members with issues with their cardiovascular system like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, heart attack, deep vein thrombosis
• You may have a family history of depression, anxiety, bipolar
• You may have allergies, asthma, hives, migraines
• You or your family members may have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD
• You may have had learning difficulties at school / you may find it hard to concentrate
• You may have issues with inflammation
• You may have elevated liver enzymes in blood testing
• You may have elevated red cell folate in blood testing
• You may have chronic constipation or diarrhoea
• You may have low B12 levels
• You may suffer dizziness
• You may have elevated homocysteine levels
• You may be on drugs that deplete your B12 and/or folate levels like antacids, cholestyramine, methotrexate, nitrous oxide, high dose niacin, theophylline, Cyclosporin A, metformin, phenytoin, oral contraceptives, antimalarials, antibiotic Trimethoprim, ethanol, Bactrim, sulfasalazine, triamterene.

Methylation is the process by which your body transfers one set of atoms into a series of amino acids, proteins, enzymes and DNA in each and every cell and tissue in your body. The process of methylation is involved with activities such as:

• Detoxification
• Repairing and building DNA and RNA
• Processing hormones
• Building immune cells
• Producing energy
• Repairing cell membranes
• Turning the stress response on and off
• Supporting neurotransmitters – the brain’s communication chemicals
• Supporting fat metabolism

Methyl groups in your body are the ‘on-off’ switches of the cells activities. As your cells are then responsible for all tissues and organs in the body, it is vital they are healthy and working as optimally as possible.

Anything upwards of 45-50% of the general population have some kind of mutation on one of the MTHFR genes.

If you live in Australia, there are 3 main ways to test and discover your MTHFR gene status:

1. Order and complete an MTHFR Gene Buccal Swab Test Kit via our website.
   • Buccal Swab Test Kit -This is a simple non-invasive saliva swab (cheek swab) test that is ideal for children and can be completed at home. Click here to read more on the testing process and order your kit.
2. Via your doctor/ health practitioner & a pathology lab. In this method, you receive a referral for the MTHFR gene test from your doctor or health practitioner (ie. naturopath), and take this form to your closest pathology collection center. The pathologist will take a blood sample for testing, and your results will be sent to your practitioner to share with you. Remember, it is imperative the pathology lab tests for both variants of the MTHFR gene: A1298C and C677T, as receiving results for one mutation will only possibly present 50% of the picture. Note: If you are completing this test through your doctor and you have a family member who is positive for this mutation and/or you have a history of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism, then you may be able to claim the test through Medicare. Please discuss this with your doctor. All tests completed through naturopaths/ nutritionists etc will not be covered by Medicare. However we are happy to give you the referral directly. The cost is approximately $65.
3. Ancestry DNA – Uncover your ethnic mix, discover distant relatives, and find new details about your unique family history with a simple DNA test. Your DNA raw data is included in your results. Please visit out Resources page.

A positive result means something different for each individual. It is very important to remember that just because you have a mutation does not mean you will necessarily have health issues – known in ‘gene speak’ as expressing. There are many factors that influence genes ranging from stress, to your diet and the environment around you.

If you have chronic disease or you don’t feel well, then it’s likely that various factors have caused an expression of your gene – it is then important for you to seek assistance in understanding your MTHFR mutation and address it.

• Homozygous: Means you have a copy of the gene mutation from both parents
• Heterozygous: Means you have one copy of the gene from one parent plus a normal one from the other parent
• Compound heterozygous: Means you have one copy of the gene mutation and one normal copy for both C677T and A1298C. (You can inherit the copy of the C677T and A1298C gene mutation from the same parent and a normal copy of each from the other parent making the explanation currently showing inaccurate.

The C677T and A1298C mutations cause a down-regulation of the enzyme mentioned above. In the case of the 2 genes this then approximately equates to the following:

• MTHFR C677T heterozygous = 30-40% loss of function
• MTHFR C677T homozygous = 60-70% loss of function
• MTHFR A1298C heterozygous = some % loss of function – Research is NOT clear
• MTHFR A1298C homozygous = 40% loss of function
• Compound heterozygous = 40-50% loss of function

Wrong!

In addition to the MTHFR gene, there are a multitude of genes involved in the methylation pathway. Yes, MTHFR is a vitally important gene to start with, but many people can’t cope with methylfolate initially as the body may have issues in other areas and pathways, ie. inflammation, gut health, detoxification or hormonal balance. Introducing methylfolate to the body whilst these issues are still occurring can lead to side effects and/or make your symptoms worse.

It is therefore important to see a professional that knows and understands how to address methylation issues. Some people have no problem with methylfolate, but others have terrible side effects.

If you do begin methylfolate supplementation, below is a list of its related side effects to monitor for:

• irritability
• insomnia
• sore muscles
• achy joints
• acne
• rash
• severe anxiety
• palpitations
• nausea
• headaches
• migraines
• depression
• suicidal thoughts

Any period of rapid growth increases the need for healthy DNA production. Increased demand for the production of healthy DNA is huge during pregnancy due to the intense growth of the foetus.

This DNA production is largely governed by adequate folate levels and therefore, the MTHFR gene.

Impaired methylation is linked with many disease states (e.g. Neural Tube Defects, cardiovascular disease and cancers)

It is thought these diseases result from:

1. Impaired DNA synthesis and repair
2. Changes in methylation that negatively change gene expression
3. If there is a mutated MTHFR gene, the availability of active methyl folate is decreased, then DNA production and gene expression cannot happen as abundantly as required for the growing baby
4. This is when developmental disorders occur in offspring, such as neural tube defects, congenital heart disease, Down’s Syndrome and cleft lip/palate

Pre-conception and pregnancy have many layers of complexity and consideration, so the information we are able to provide here is limited. For more information on how MTHFR can affect pregnancy, please read the list of blog posts listed below, and consider booking an appointment with one of our experienced team at the clinic to support you T: +61 02 9908 1888 (if calling internationally drop the 0).

MTHFR & Pregnancy/ Preconception articles:

Could MTHFR be the Reason for your Pregnancy Complications?

Why is MTHFR important in preconception and pregnancy?

Top 5 Action Steps for MTHFR in Preconception

Yes absolutely. The MTHFR team works with many specialists, doctors and other health practitioners around Australia. We have a collaborative approach to health care and believe that your GP and other healthcare practitioners should be across MTHFR and methylation issues.

MTHFR Support Australia has developed a practitioner log in section on this website, enabling your health professional access to detailed information, research, patient handouts and a space to request further information and appointments for patients. We all need to be looking after your health together

You can contact us at:

• Email us: info@mthfrsupport.com.au
• Call us: + 61 02 9908 1888

We will endeavour to reply to all enquiries within a 24-48hr period.

Stay up to date by:

• Sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest research, recipes for keeping your folate level high, tips, ideas and strategies to keep well.
• Read our basic run down on the blog
• View our webinars

Yes. We offer appointments with our expert team at MTHFR Support Australia. We are located at: 229 Miller Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060

If you are regional or interstate, please request a Skype appointment by emailing info@mthfrsupport.com.au or calling + 61 02 9908 1888 (for international callers drop the 0)

As Of April 1, 2019 The Federal Government has stopped the rebate of naturopathy services so rebates will not be available after this date. Some health funds do still rebate Nutrition appointments. Please speak to your Private Health Fund for information.

Our treatment is highly individualised and it is therefore extremely difficult to say. A good way to look at it is, for every year you have a condition allow a month to address it. So if you have been sick for 10 years, it will take 10 months for you to see results. However many of our patients will see results within weeks.

As of early 2016, methylfolate and methylcobalamin have now been cleared for use by the TGA.

MTHFR Support Australia now has its own dedicated products that have been designed specifically for you in mind. Please see our shop page for details.

Most cereal grains contain toxic proteins called prolamines. These are tough proteins that humans can’t digest – we are just not equipped to break down them down into small enough entities to be absorbed. Therefore, these proteins irritate the gut lining and sneak their way past the intestinal wall causing inflammatory and autoimmune reactions. Prolamines include:

• Gliadin in wheat
• Zein in corn
• Avenin in oats

Plant lectins are the other nasty in grains. These toxic, sugar-binding proteins don’t get digested either, and they bind to the cells on the gut wall (enterocytes) and prevent them from completing their normal healing processes (causing them to die).

To understand how going gluten free positively impacts your genetic health, please watch our free webinar recording on Going Gluten Free by clicking here.

The other inflammatory and potentially allergenic food is dairy – especially cow’s milk.

The link to MTHFR – with an MTHFR genetic mutation your body has issues converting and handling certain nutrients – and the harder they are to handle, the more stress it puts on your body. So if you have a positive MTHFR mutation, you have a higher chance of your immune function and detoxification pathways not functioning at 100%.

As such, eliminating gluten and dairy – which as we’ve mentioned, put your body under stress to digest – will help reduce inflammation and the burden on your detox pathways and systems of elimination

• Low processed food – reduce inflammation and burden on detox pathways and systems of elimination
• Low alcohol
• No smoking
• Maintain a healthy weight
• High in vegetables – alkalising, natural folate and anti-inflammatory action
• Modulate stress – uses up methyl groups and cortisol shuts off reproductive function
• Remove all environmental and household toxins
• Eat organic where possible