I have been curious on all I have read on mhtfr defects, I doubt i will be able to test for this, insurance I doubt will cover it... But like us all, I am willing to try things that might help, but do no harm.
Is there any danger in taking this supplement if you don't have a defect? Would I take it with methyl b12 or instead?
Is it ok to take it with a multi with regular folate? I only take a multi a few times a week.
Posted by Hopeny (Member # 35984) on :
Insurance covered this test for us via Quest
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
If one does not have MTHFR or any other methylation cycle genomic mutations, then methylfolate is perfectly safe to take.
It is simply the form of Folate that is "active" or biologically available for use in the methylation cycle, and the body (if no MTHFR mutations) will convert Folic Acid into methylfolate anyway...so no harm done skipping the conversion step.
That said, if you DO have certain specific other methylation defects, and/or are over-methylated, then methylfolate may not be the best thing to take.
Least expensive option is to find someone who can muscle-test you on the methylfolate to see if it is ok for you.
And, if for sure you do not have MTHFR, are not over-methylated, and do not have other methylation genomic mutations/variants, then yes it is safe to take regular Folic Acid in addition to methylfolate.
Posted by jwall (Member # 22999) on :
I do have the genetic mutation and I have a really hard time with methyfolate. It gives me really bad brain fog, anxiety, severe body pain issues.
My LLMD put me on deplin to correct this issue, but I literally sat in my room all day screaming in pain, brain totally out of it, super anxiety and could not sleep. It was AWFUL!
I finally linked deplin to that feeling and so he said some people with the genetic mutation do have problems with it.
he advised me to take methylfolate (metafolin) starting with 400mcg and working my way up to 800 mcg. I still can't really even handle that, so he advised me to take it once every 3 days.
Just be aware if you do have the genetic mutation, it can be hard to take and you'd probably notice problems right after taking it.
go to the mthfr web site. There is a really good one that talks about everything including people having negative reactions to it.
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
Thanks for the guidance everyone.
Posted by LymeMom Kellye (Member # 24807) on :
As for ramping up my daughter started with 1mcg wo day and built up to 8 daily. When she first started she started at full dose and crashed. If she would have taken a whole Deplin even 1 time she would have had severe brain fog and pain for a week.
She is doing much better now and detoxes just fine.
Posted by jwall (Member # 22999) on :
I was the exact same way on deplin - total misery.
Where do you get your methylfolate/which brand LymeMom?
My LLMD now has told me to take it once every 3 days. I still have a hard time with it.
Posted by Annelet (Member # 13503) on :
The symptoms you are describing when starting too high a dose of 5MTHF are due to Folate trapping. You HAVE to start with making sure you have enough B12 on board first.... either Methyl- or Hydroxy-. Adding in Folate alone will mask a B12 deficiency. The B12 is essential to facilitate the de-methylation of 5MTHF and complete the Folate cycle. If you don't have enough B12, the Folate ( although you are taking it ) gets 'trapped' and can't be used. Stop all 5MTHF products. get back to base line... start in with the B12 and later add in the 5MTHF. If you have had a previous bad reaction, start very, very low and slow.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
Good thread Kudz.
Annelet - interesting post. I am homozygous for MTHFR.
When I have bloodwork done, my folate is very high (I hear this is not good, but I'm not sure why). Could this be the "trapping" you are talking of? That perhaps I don't have enough B12 on board?
I'm also still trying to figure out if I have an allergy to colbalt. I have an awful feeling every time I take a B12 shot, no matter if it's methyl or hydroxy. But I seem to do okay with Thorne's Basic B complex.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
High Folic Acid is an indication of MTHFR defect - the inability to convert Folic Acid to methyl-folate (5-methyltetrahydrofolate).
Posted by nonna05 (Member # 33557) on :