I cannot take folic acid.

artichoken · October 2013

I have a suspected MTHFR gene mutation and can't take folic acid. I have been taking folate instead. Everything I have read online says that I need to take an increased amount of folic acid while expecting twins, but i cannot find any thing on folate. Does anyone else have to take folate instead? How much are you taking? I talked to my OB about it, but she was pretty dumb to the MTHFR mutation and said it will "not actually harm you" to ingest folic acid when that is just not true.

Thanks!!

caden · October 2013

I suggest you ask a MFM about this b/c MTHFR is pretty controversial, even among those who know a lot about it and the recommendations have changed over the years. I have homozygous MTHFR mutations and I took folic acid daily along with folate. My MFM is considered a MTHFR expert and he never told me to avoid folic acid. But my homocysteine levels were always normal. Have you had blood work to check your homocysteine level?

caden · October 2013

ETA: I took a regular PNV (x1/day) + Folplex 2.2 (x2/day)

PurpleIris30 · October 2013

What do you mean "suspected" MTHFR? Have you been tested?

artichoken · October 2013

PurpleIris30 said:
What do you mean "suspected" MTHFR? Have you been tested?

no I have not been tested yet, when the doctor's became suspicious of it and were going to test my insurance got cancelled. now that I have it again I will be making the appointment to be tested

PurpleIris30 · October 2013

artichoken said:

What do you mean "suspected" MTHFR? Have you been tested?

no I have not been tested yet, when the doctor's became suspicious of it and were going to test my insurance got cancelled. now that I have it again I will be making the appointment to be tested

Sounds like that's your first step - find out which genes and how many copies to see if this is even an issue for you.

artichoken · October 2013

I suggest you ask a MFM about this b/c MTHFR is pretty controversial, even among those who know a lot about it and the recommendations have changed over the years. I have homozygous MTHFR mutations and I took folic acid daily along with folate. My MFM is considered a MTHFR expert and he never told me to avoid folic acid. But my homocysteine levels were always normal. Have you had blood work to check your homocysteine level?

when the folic acid builds up in your system and cant be absorbed it puts you at higher risks for problems.

"The presence of unmetabolized folic acid in the blood is associated with decreased natural killer cytotoxicity. (10) Since natural killer cells play a role in tumor cell destruction, this would suggest another way in which excess folic acid might promote existing premalignant and malignant lesions." https://chriskresser.com/folate-vs-folic-acid

artichoken · October 2013

PurpleIris30 said:

artichoken said:

What do you mean "suspected" MTHFR? Have you been tested?

no I have not been tested yet, when the doctor's became suspicious of it and were going to test my insurance got cancelled. now that I have it again I will be making the appointment to be tested

Sounds like that's your first step - find out which genes and how many copies to see if this is even an issue for you.

Yes thats a good point.

caden · October 2013

artichoken said:
I suggest you ask a MFM about this b/c MTHFR is pretty controversial, even among those who know a lot about it and the recommendations have changed over the years. I have homozygous MTHFR mutations and I took folic acid daily along with folate. My MFM is considered a MTHFR expert and he never told me to avoid folic acid. But my homocysteine levels were always normal. Have you had blood work to check your homocysteine level?

when the folic acid builds up in your system and cant be absorbed it puts you at higher risks for problems.

"The presence of unmetabolized folic acid in the blood is associated with decreased natural killer cytotoxicity. (10) Since natural killer cells play a role in tumor cell destruction, this would suggest another way in which excess folic acid might promote existing premalignant and malignant lesions." https://chriskresser.com/folate-vs-folic-acid

Just because a person has a mutation(s) that does not mean things are building up in your blood. Like I said, I have homozygous mutations and my levels were always normal. Why does someone think you have a MTHFR mutation? Do you have symptoms of something?

artichoken · October 2013

I want implying everyone.

caden · October 2013

??? I don't understand your last post.

jezebel57 · October 2013

i am homozygous MTHFR and it's not that you can't take folic acid, it's that your body does not absorb it properly. i take folgard, which is folic acid, but in a large amount so your body will absorb some of it. my OB said not to worry about it, however my MFM said it is concerning. i am also on a baby aspirin for PAI-1 in addition to the MTHFR which is another clotting issue.

lots of luck to you!

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