MTHFR and/or Factor V ladies

sarahandeddiejune212008

I'm hetero for both MTHFR and Factor V.  I just found out I'm expecting #2 and I can't remember how much extra folic acid to take.  What are you taking?  I'll be starting lovenox today, so I don't have to take BA any more.

mrsp+3

Hmmm I have FVL and take Lovenox, but I don't know the answer to this.  I just take my prescription prenatal (NeevoDHA), but my ob and MFM haven't said anything about taking extra folic acid as a result of the FVL.  

fignewt74

I am homozygous for MTHFR and I take Neevo and also an additional 1 mg of folic acid.

HTH! 

Punken13

I am hetero FVL and I take Prednisone for a neuromuscular condition...I take a PNV plus 4mg Folic acid...I do not take Lovenox until after delivery

baloneydisc

I'm hetero MTHFR.  I was just told to take extra Folic Acid, I was never prescribed anything in particular.  I take an extra 1600mg a day (plus what's in my prenatal).

Holly TH

Sara,

Congratulations on the pregnancy!  Because you are heterozygous for the MTHFR polymorphism, you have a limited ability to break down folic acid into its active form, L-methylfolate.  This puts you at risk for folate deficiency related pregnancy complications.  

I work with NeevoDHA, the prenatal that many of the women in this thread are on.  It is specifically indicated for women with MTHFR and contains L-methylfolate as an alternative to synthetic folic acid.  L-methylfolate bypasses the MTHFR mutation.  It increases blood folate levels and decreases homocysteine levels  more effectively than folic acid.  You might want to ask your doctor about it.  

Best of luck for a happy and healthy pregnancy!

Holly TH

That means you are homozygous which is the most severe form of the polymorphism.  You might want to ask your new hematologist about L-methylfolate.  You have a very limited ability to metabolize synthetic folic acid.  

gringa78

I'm hetero for MTHFR and take Elite OB with DHA (like Neevo) and 1mg extra folic acid.

kaybee10

I have FVL and still learning about this as I am pregnant with my first -can anyone tell me what MTHFR is?  Would they have already tested me for that in my regular bloodwork at the beginning?  They didn't tell me that I had that nor have a heard of it, so I was just wondering if FVL and MTHFR run together? Thanks ladies.

Holly TH

Kaybee,

How were you diagnosed with FVL?  The MTHFR test is usually done in a repeat pregnancy loss panel after women have had multiple miscarriages.  It is also done in thrombophilia panels.  They are two different things, although there are women who have both conditions.  

Women with MTHFR have a limited ability to break down synthetic folic acid into its active and usable form, L-methylfolate.  This puts them at risk for folate deficiency related pregnancy complications.  Increased blood homocysteine levels can also be associated with MTHFR which can cause clotting.  It is a common mutation affecting approximately 40% of the population but there are severe and less severe forms.  The most severe form, homozygous, is much less common.  

Best of luck with your pregnancy.  I hope it is happy and healthy.  A first baby is so very exciting!