Dr. Amy Myers, MD

Amy Myers, Thou.D. is a functional medicine physician, trained and certified by The Constitute of Functional Medicine. Dr. Myers earned her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) at the LSU Health Science Middle, and completed her Emergency Medicine residency at the Academy of Maryland Medical Center.

Dr. Myers retired from her functional medicine dispensary, Austin UltraHealth, where she served thousands of patients, to empower those who were failed by conventional medicine. She's a 2x New York Times bestselling writer, and the founder and CEO of the wellness & lifestyle e-commerce make, Amy Myers MD®.

In my Part I of MTHFR mutations, I discussed what they are, why they matter, and how they're connected to autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's, Graves', and thyroid dysfunction.

In this article, we dive right into the importance of MTHFR tests. Most importantly, we discuss what you tin do to minimize the impact of any MTHFR mutations on your wellness. This data, in add-on to my top recommendation for anyone with the MTHFR mutation, Methylation Back up® , will help y'all support your methylation and detoxification pathways.

My motto is knowledge is power, and understanding your MTHFR status by taking an MTHFR test is an empowering tool to take dorsum your wellness!

The MTHFR Gene Mutation Exam

I strongly recommend that everyone gets an MTHFR examination, especially women of childbearing historic period. MTHFR has been found to increase the hazard of miscarriage and birth defects, including Spina Bifida. Getting an MTHFR test is equally important if you lot accept a history of Hashimoto's, Graves' or any other autoimmune disease, as MTHFR contributes to those conditions equally well.

Additionally, I encourage those who take newborns or young children to have them tested for MTHFR mutations. Determining which vaccines your child receives and when they receive them is a personal choice. Knowing your child's MTHFR status, and how the vaccines may impact their wellness, is an important part of the decision. As a mother, making certain Elle got an MTHFR test was high on my priority list.

This theoretical analogy of how MTHFR mutations impact your power to detoxify demonstrates why information technology is then of import for you to know your MTHFR status.

Your MTHFR Condition: How Much Mercury Is Detoxified vs. Stored – Infographic – Amy Myers MD® Your MTHFR Status: How Much Mercury Is Detoxified vs. Stored - Infographic - Amy Myers MD® https://www.amymyersmd.com/article/examination-mthfr-mutations/ Your MTHFR Status: How Much Mercury Is Detoxified vs. Stored – Infographic – Amy Myers MD®

Available MTHFR Tests

Lab testing to cheque for MTHFR mutations used to be costly, and required a prescription and a blood sample. However, genetic MTHFR mutation testing is now much more affordable, accessible, and convenient.

23andMe

There is an MTHFR examination from 23andMe that many of the patients from my clinic used. 23andMe tin be ordered online, does non require a doc'southward prescription, and tests for hundreds of SNPs: biological markers that help united states locate genes associated with disease.

Unfortunately, 23andMe's MTHFR test results come up in a raw data format. This means you need another tool or service to become a readout of your MTHFR factor test status and the other SNPs they test for.

Dnalife®

I discovered a company called dnalife ® that offers genetic SNP testing with only a mouth swab instead of saliva samples (which is much easier for babies—it's what I used for Elle). The test checks for fewer SNPs than 23andme notwithstanding delivers all of the data in a format that you or your doctor can easily interpret. This option usually requires a functional medicine physician to order it for you.

As a favor to me, dnalife ® agreed to let you gild your own MTHFR gene test without a doctor's order. If you want additional SNPs, y'all demand to ask your functional medicine physician to social club that for you.

MTHFR Blood Test

You, of course, can e'er ask your primary care physician to order an MTHFR blood test for you lot. Although, nearly insurance companies do non cover this type of MTHFR factor test, and may exit you with an $800-$1,000 neb.

Homocysteine Test

A less expensive MTHFR factor test typically covered past insurance is a homocysteine test. This MTHFR test is run by your doctor, however because a homocysteine exam is less definitive, the results are non as comprehensive.

Homocysteine Levels

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an enzyme that works as a catalyst for important biochemical reactions in your body. Information technology converts vitamin B9 (folate) into methyl-folate, which is essential for a process chosen methylation.

Methylation protects your body by repairing damaged cells and optimizing Deoxyribonucleic acid jail cell function. It also processes toxins and hormones, metabolizes B vitamins, and regulates neurotransmitters. However, 1 of the most important tasks methylation performs is turning homocysteine into methionine. Methionine builds proteins, repairs cells, detoxifies, supports your inflammatory response, and helps your liver process fats.

When you accept an MTHFR cistron mutation, and your homocysteine levels are unbalanced, your ability to methylate is affected. A homocysteine exam will be able to testify how your homocysteine levels compare to optimal levels, which are 6.9 umol/L.

Loftier Homocysteine Levels

Those with high homocysteine levels are at an increased adventure for heart disease. That's because the overproduction of homocysteine can build up in your arteries, damaging your arterial lining and increasing your chances of developing blood clots. High homocysteine levels tin too negatively touch your blood pressure, mental health, and mood, and ability to naturally detoxify.

If your homocysteine test results prove that your homocysteine levels are higher up 10 umol/L, y'all have one MTHFR mutation. If your homocysteine test results are above 18 umol/L, you likely have ii or more gene mutations.

Depression Homocysteine Levels

On the flip side of that, depression homocysteine levels such as 2 or four umol/L tin indicate that yous are not methylating or you lot are over methylating. Both undermethylation and over methylation are problematic.

How to Overcome MTHFR Mutations

So you've taken an MTHFR test and discovered you lot take one or more MTHFR mutations, and you might be feeling equally though your genes command your destiny. I get it, trust me, I do. After taking multiple MTHFR tests, I discovered that I take two mutations at C677T, and my power to methylate based on my genes was cut down to 10%. It's probable i of the reasons I developed Graves' disease. The truth is that by following the same simple steps I used, you too can work around your genes and get your body methylating in an optimal range.

5 Means To Overcome MTHFR Mutations – Infographic – Amy Myers Doc® 5 Ways To Overcome MTHFR Mutations - Infographic - Amy Myers MD® https://world wide web.amymyersmd.com/article/test-mthfr-mutations/ five Ways To Overcome MTHFR Mutations – Infographic – Amy Myers MD®

1. Supplement with Pre-Methylated B Vitamins

MTHFR mutations reduce your ability to methylate, so one of the best things you tin can practice is supplement with the three main vitamins needed for methylation. Folate in its pre-methylated form (5MTHF), B6 in its active class, and B12 in its active form.

I take a supplement chosen Methylation Support® every solar day. It contains all iii of those essential B vitamins. I recommended this supplement to all of my patients with MTHFR mutations. These pre-methylated and active forms of the B vitamins are absorbed optimally, and piece of work to increase folate levels and decrease homocysteine levels.

If an MTHFR examination has revealed that you have one or more MTHFR mutations I recommend supplementing with Methylation Support® daily.

I strongly recommend supplementing with Methylation Support® if you have been prescribed methotrexate as part of your treatment for autoimmunity considering methotrexate blocks folate pathways. If you take 2 mutations, even with a supplement to support methylation, you may desire to consider different medications. My Autoimmune Solution Plan will too help you address the underlying causes of your condition, then you can come off of harsh medications altogether.

2. Avoid Folic Acid (Synthetic B Vitamins)

Equally a reminder, but increasing your folic acrid will not aid with methylation problems because your body is not able to convert it. Taking folic acid, which is constructed and can be found in fortified and processed foods, is harmful because it can stay in your body unconverted. The unconverted folic acid attaches itself to the same receptors used to absorb folate, and 'clogs them upwardly' and then to speak.

three. Swallow Foods Rich in B Vitamins

Get enough of B vitamins naturally through your nutrition. The highest folate-rich foods include asparagus, romaine lettuce, broccoli, avocado, and dark, leafy greens such as spinach and kale. Foods loftier in B6 include poultry, seafood, bananas, and leafy light-green vegetables. Add together more than vitamin B12 to your nutrition with fish, poultry, and meat.

However, if an MTHFR exam has revealed that you have two mutations similar me, diet alone may not become you plenty B vitamins to methylate optimally, and you may desire to consider supplementing with Methylation Support® .

4. Reduce Your Toxic Burden

Because MTHFR mutations reduce your ability to detoxify heavy metals, you lot want to minimize your exposure to toxins. Here are steps y'all can take to limit your exposure to heavy metals:

  • Filter your air – Mercury can be in the air most coal-burning plants. Avert breathing it in past using a HEPA filter in your habitation and part.
  • Filter your h2o -Due to pollution and runoff, mercury tin be found in our water supply. To protect your water I recommend installing water filters on all of your taps and showerheads. The skin absorbs chemicals too!
  • Remove amalgam fillings safely – Amalgam fillings contain mercury and emit a mercury vapor that can leach into your bloodstream. For more information on the risks of constructing fillings and how to remove them safely, check out my interview with biological dentist, Stuart Nunnally, in which we discuss best practices of holistic dentistry.
  • Choose fish that are not high in mercury – The Environmental Defense Fund has a list of fish that are typically high in mercury and should be avoided. There is also a preferred list of those that are depression in mercury.

You lot tin can acquire more almost reducing your toxic burden in this article about Taming the Toxins, and in my books, The Autoimmune Solution and The Thyroid Connectedness .

5. Affluent Out Toxins Safely

In addition to preventing toxins from coming into your torso, focus on supporting your detox pathways to affluent toxins out safely.

  • Eat cruciferous vegetables – These vegetables, including arugula, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and collard greens, are rich in antioxidants and support safe detoxification.
  • Excrete the toxins – Drink plenty of water, optimize your digestion, and practise activities that aid yous sweat, such every bit exercise or using an infrared sauna .
  • Add in Glutathione – This is your body's almost important detoxifier, and it plays a big role in reducing your risk for developing an autoimmune disease. Your ability to produce glutathione diminishes if yous are not methylating properly. I have this every solar day and recommended information technology to all of my patients with autoimmunity and MTHFR mutations.
  • Take a Liver Support Supplement – The one I offering contains N-acetyl, 50-cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, milk thistle, and selenium. It supports antioxidant activity and promotes a salubrious allowed arrangement. In improver, Liver Back up helps your body'southward glutathione product.
  • Increment Your Magnesium – Magnesium supports the detoxification procedure through its major role in the production of energy as ATP. This provides cells with what they require to pump out toxins earlier, during, and after they accumulate.
  • Don't forget the Methylation Support® – As I mentioned above, you desire to exist sure y'all're taking a methylation support supplement. This and glutathione are the two absolute go-to supplements that I accept daily no matter what.

Remember knowledge is power, so getting an MTHFR exam and knowing your MTHFR condition is a huge first step in taking control of your health! Even if life dealt a certain genetic mitt, remember the unlimited choices every bit to how you play that hand.

MTHFR Exam FAQs

What is an MTHFR Examination?

Everyone has MTHFR genes. An MTHFR exam looks at any mutations that can occur as a effect of over- or under-producing homocysteine levels. An MTHFR exam determines if you lot have one, two, or multiple MTHFR gene mutations.

What does the MTHFR gene practise?

The MTHFR gene is one of the 20,000 genes in the homo body. Information technology is a "master instruction canvass" for the production of the MTHFR enzyme, which works as a catalyst for important biochemical reactions in your body such every bit converting vitamin B9 into methyl-folate, which is essential for a procedure called methylation.

What are the symptoms of an MTHFR gene mutation?

Symptoms vary from person to person and from mutation to mutation. Atmospheric condition that may exist associated with an MTHFR factor mutation include cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, chronic pain and fatigue, and spina bifida.