MTHFR Mutation -- When and How To Treat?

Hi Kelly -

YES... many pieces to this puzzle.

First, just know that nearly all of us treating Lyme have some type of MTHFR mutation and others that interefere with methylation, detoxing. And nearly all people have some type of mutation. So it's not anything to be too worried about.

Heterogenous, which is having one copy of the mutated gene is better than homogenous, which is two copies. Generally, for MTHFR, heterogenous means roughly 30% reduction in whatever function is being regulated by that mutated gene... homogenous is generally 60% reduction in whatever function, etc. But this also varies depending on which gene and function you're talking about.

And it's great that you have only one of the two mutations. There are actually...gee - I don't know... hundreds of mutations you could have that might affect methylation or detoxing or digestion or immune function, which could affect your Lyme & Co tx.

The best way to discover what these are is to do DNA testing (like w/ 23andme.com) and then have your data evaluated through programs that can identify the mutations for you. The challenge with all that is - there can be countless combinations amongst all these and it is really trial-and-error to figure out what your combination requires.

There is a great website www.MTHFR.net that might offer some good help for you regarding the C677T and what might help support it.

One thing that you can count on, though, is that you do probably need to pay a little closer to detoxing and helping your body accomplish this a little better. But what I see mostly is people have to test out different supplementation to figure out what might work best for you. There are many conversations on this forum if you'd like to look them up and read through them.

Hope this is helpful - if not just keep asking questions!

-p

I wouldn't let a fear of herxing get in the way of treatment. Its a part of the process and great feedback re: going to fast with something. Keep us posted Kelly. I wish I knew more to share. I have a mutation that makes processing B difficult so I incorporated a methyl B. I didn't notice much of a difference.

I agree with multifacedme -

Better to treat. Sometimes treating is as much about healing other body systems before or while you treat the Lyme & Co infections. We certainly have to support a lot while treating and this includes detoxing.

Being hetero for only one of the most common MTHFR mutations suggests to me that you likely won't be one of those people with really complex methylation and detoxing issues, although there really is a lot more to it than just those two that MDs generally look for - if they even know about MTHFR. There's no guarantee but I think you should feel rather confident to proceed.

Try out the support your LLMD provided (I've not heard of them so maybe others will post and share thoughts). And there are many other ways to support detoxing that you should try.

Regardless of what support you take, herxing is likely part of the journey for some--many people. Often, it's just a surge of related symptoms or an intensification. Sometimes it's a lot and you have the option to reduce the treatment volume a bit to allow yourself to acclimate to it a little better, and/or increase detox.

Mfm is also correct - herxing has always helped provide me information about what I'm treating with and whether or not it's hitting what it should, based on how I react to it. As long as the symptom reaction eventually does something - get worse or better - you have info to work with. Sometimes it's 2 steps forward, 3 steps back...

Please let us know how you're doing along the way!

-p

Rikky and cakegirl -

Here's a bunch of research - over 4000 articles/studies. Enjoy ;)
mthfr.net/mthfr-research/2012/01/27/

Don't confuse sites promoting the testing with actual support. And the 23andme are always CYA for one thing or another. People get tested but don't understand what they're testing or what the results mean. How common is that in nearly every other aspect of Lyme life?

There are countless combinations of genetic mutations. It's fairly easy to find out what your unique mutation quilt looks like. It's not easy to figure out how to respond, or if you even need to.

Some people have mutations they don't need to do anything about. For some people it provides invaluable information. Just like with everything else - it all comes down to what you do with the information... there are "a number" of folks that report scary side effects to drugs and herbs, too!

I think it requires experimentation and that always comes with some risk--especially if you're supplementing for one mutation without knowing anything else about other mutations you might have or what they need. Taking meds is never without risk. Driving a car is never without risks.

While I learned so much with my testing and learning about all the mutations and the associated "issues I may be susceptible to" it also painted an incredibly accurate picture of my family health history.

I'm also one of those people who had trouble supplementing for adrenal and neurotransmitter imbalances. I spent a TON of time and money trying to get balanced - it was very unsuccessful. I later learned with the DNA mutation testing that I have some genetic mutations that probably complicate how I need to approach supplementation. Some of my detoxing protocols are VERY impactful, others not so much.

So while I know that my approach is going to be more complex in some areas, we have had many people post over the 3 yrs I've been on this forum, that they have had success with learning about possible methylation and detoxing pathway blocks and circumventing them.

Like everything else with Lyme & co treatment, there are few blanket assumptions to be made...about anything.

-p

thanks y'all. my wife is homozygous for the mthfr gene and they've tried all sorts of things to 'supplement' its functioning (or lack thereof). the only outcome is a year of spending lots of $$$ and getting nothing out of it.

even given all the studies i'm becoming more leery of what many naturopaths push as issues which end up being nothing. i've personally been down the road of trying/addressing mold, gene mutations, muscle testing, all sort of inflammation remedies, etc. etc and none of them have done squat so color me a skeptic ;) i guess it all comes down to cause and effect which we've both have had none from all these things.

Good post, GH - thanks, as always.

Rikky -

I get your frustration. I've been there. I spent $20k and two years endlessly cycling through adrenal and neurotransmitter support and getting nowhere. The reason why? I have DNA mutations that screw up my methylation, detox pathways and multiple other functions. I don't remember my exact number but my issues sound a lot like GH's.

I like GH's articulation - the body wants to help you with "work-arounds" but you gott know the formula and it will take a lot of time and effort to figure it all out. I haven't solved all mine yet, either - the unique combination of all of them require a unique approach. I have things "manageable" right now and hopefully I'll get to a point where I'm able to make more progress at some point in the future.

However, just because this is complex doesn't mean it isn't real. That doesn't even make any sense! ;)

-p