Confused by MTHFR Results and Meaning

Recently had MTHFR testing. Results confuse me, as well as naturopath's short explanation.

Test result: A1298C/A1298C
Interpretation on results: "This individual is homozygous for the MTHFR A1298C varient (two copies). The MTHFR C677T variant was not identified."

The naturopath emailed telling me : "MTHFR means your body does not convert folic acid to folate properly and there could be cardio issues and / or emotional issues.Keep taking the folate and you should be fine."

Not sure what exactly any of this means, other than the obvious - I need to keep taking folate.

Also, if candida albicans is .20, with is just out of the normal (<.10 is negative and .10- .31 is equival/low) what does that show, if anything?

Frustrated with explanation was given and/or not mentioned.

Thanks. This is a new area for me as I was the one who suggested testing those two areas, based on things I had read this site.

Thanks, Astroman. I went online looking for explanations, most of which were very technical in nature. Hopefully, through supplementation, some things can improve with processing.

I found out about 2 years ago that I have homozygous C677T. My OBGYN and my LLMD worked together to figure out my diagnosis/ dosage. They had me slowly build up to taking what is now my current dosage. I almost immediately noticed an energy boost and felt great for about 3 weeks while my body adjusted to actually having what it needed, and then it hit a wall while it briefly freaked out about actually having what it needed--so I just took a short break and started over building up to my dosage. Since then it has been smooth sailing.

There are several good websites that explain MTHFR (mthfrgenehealth.com and dietvsdisease.org both explain it in simple terms). Basically MTHFR is broken into 2 main categories: C677T and A1298C. From the research I have done over the last two years it appears that some people with A1298C can live ordinary lives without ever realizing they have it, and those like you, with homozygous A1298C only have around 40% function loss (ability to process folic acid into folate) so they seem to have an easier time managing it. Like lyme, everyone deals with MTHFR differently so just because something works for me doesn't mean it will for you and vice versa. With my double hit of C677T my function loss is around 70% so I have to take higher doses of l-mythlfolate than someone who was heterozygous or had the A1298C version. I had blamed my poor vitamin levels on lyme but it turns out to be mostly from MTHFR. Good news I found a gummy multi-vitamin (because you are never too old for gummies) that tastes pretty good (Smarty Pants brand) that is actually made for us. This is the first multivitamin I have been able to take so I was pretty excited to stop taking so many different pills. We tend to have a hard time processing B-vitamins so methylated b-vitamins are what you want to look for--this just means that it is already activated/broken down so our bodies can use it. Reading up on the two main types of MTHFR it seems that C677T has a harder time with elevated homocystine levels which can cause heart issues such as strokes, and the A1298C seems to have a harder time producing serotonin which can lead to more mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

In short you want to (1) stay away from folic acid and instead take l-methylfolate--just talk to your doctor about how much you need. I personally alternate between l-methylfolate pill and my multi-vitamin gummies every other day, but you should not need as high a dose as me and the gummies alone may be enough; (2) Use methylated B vitamins; and (3) discuss it with your LLMD.

The good news is that many things you are (probably) already doing to fight lyme are also very helpful dealing with MTHFR :e.g. staying away from processed food and refined sugar, detoxing, using filtered water. So it should not be a big change for you once its all said and done. I wish you all the best and please let me know how things are going

Hey Girlie! As far as I know methylated B's are great for everyone and especially those of us with lyme. The methylated just means that it is ready to use and the body doesn't have to work to process it. This is really good for people who have lower liver function because the liver does not have to work to convert it and can simply absorb the vitamins. naturelo.com talks about this-I know it is a supplement website so they might be a little biased.

Look at all the great information. The details and different ideas/link are appreciated, and it's good to see others getting information from what is provided.

What is shared here by so many is something healthcare providers often do not include - essential information that educates. I look online a lot at different sites/studies, but personal experience those on the Lyme site here provides so much more. Again, thanks as I ask a lot of questions. Just hope some of the answers I try to help with do the same for others.

Girlie- you're mighty welcome

Running Wild-I agree that docs should do better about educating, or at least pointing us towards trusted websites.

JB 1994 - do you mean that your body is naturally processing an elevated amount or are you having a hard time finding the correct dosage?

JB1994- I would check out mentalhealthdaily.com , they have a what appears to be a pretty good breakdown of what exactly over-methylation is and how it effects the body and possible medication reactions. From what I have read it sounds like you might have a genetic polymorphism of MTHFR. Fun fact some studies show that over methylation and being artistic may be linked. I recommend talking to your LLMD about what supplements you should take (e.g. zinc, vitamin B6, C, and E, ect.) and how your over-methylation may effect any current medication you are taking. So in your case, even if you do have a version of MTHFR, I would not recommend taking the methylated B vitamins since your body sounds like it is already doing a good job on that front.

JB1994 - ya, this is where it is so important to have a doctor that understands how medicines interact with each other and with our diagnosis. Sometimes though it still takes a little trail and error to find the right fit. High serotonin can cause reduced motivation. So it is important to remind yourself that it may take a few months for a treatment plan to feel like it is making a difference, but that the results will be worth it. If you have not already been tested for MTHFR I recommend having it done. My LLMD is a big supporter of finding the cause and not just putting a bandaid on the symptom. Once you find out exactly why you have over methylation that should lead you/ your doctor on the right path to treating it.

One thing we must think about is that our body will do whatever it can to live. Living sometimes means altering function (biological pathways) in ways that often appear to be not for the better. In the grand scheme of things, it allows us to live by lowering oxidative stress. The folate and methionine pathways are one way our body can change to make the most out of a bad situation. Epigenetic shifts in people with pathogenic infections often start with MTRR, MTR, or A1298C. This often starts with lower zinc or cobalt levels. You can't make cobalamin if you don't have any cobalt or what you have is quickly oxidized into cobalt+2. Zinc is just a substrate for the reaction. Keeping acid levels down would be a good thing and eating alkaline foods is a start. MTR, or Methionine Synthase can be produced in bacteria like Helicobacter and Campylobacter. IMO, when this happens in large amounts, epigenetic shifts can occur to MTRR or MTR.

Any overmethylater would want to reduce methionine intake. Eating animal protein (which is high in methionine) will increase homocysteine levels. Once homocysteine is formed, it will either be remethylated or undergoes transulfuration. If you don't have adequate CBS function (or B6 or serine levels), then remethylation is the only option. CBS plays a huge role because it shares a similar gene sequence to bacterial cysteine synthase, threonine deaminase, and the Beta chain of Tryptophan synthase. Antibodies against human CBS have been shown to cross react with yeast threonine deaminase. Yeast levels play a huge role in the adequate functioning of the CBS enzyme IMO. Tryptophan and threonine levels are also important. This is very complex with many variables and many unknowns.

Long story short, our own bacteria in disproportions are our own worst enemy and our genes can reflect that.