Anybody test positve for MTHFR?

I just spoke to my RE and all my blood work came back negative except for the MTHFR test.  He said he is going to give me a script get filled.  I really didn't understand all the chemistry stuff he mentioned.  Can anybody explain it in a nut shell?

[YvetteY]

do you have one bad gene or two?    I was told I had to take folic acid and I have on gene mutation.   ONe bad gene mutation is okay though.  Sorry can't explain in nut shell.  I read more about it on the internet.  

[ashort]

Hmmmmm...I think just one...but I'm not really sure... he mentioned getting genetic counseling if we wanted but he said he will give me a prescription of some sort.  He didn't seem to concerned though...

[brandy26]

I tested positive for 2 copies and my husband tested positive for 1 copy,the doctor tested me after having 2 early m/c.I was prescribed Prenate Elite.My doc explained that my blood is too thick to get vitamins to the uterus so I need a special kind of folic acid that is in the Prenate Elite.

[ashort]

Oh...you know what they actually gave me Prenate Elite as a sample at my OB's office when I was pregnant.  They gave me like 5 differnt samples and I chose to take the Citrical.  I bet I have the prenate under my bathroom sink.  I guess I'll see what he gives me tomorrow.  He said he wants me to start taking it before I get pregnant.  Boy am I glad I insisted on having the m/c screening tests.  I had one m/c at 7 weeks and I really wanted to get the blood work done as a precaution.  I'm sorry to hear about your loss... Do they think that was the reason you m/c?  I tried to read up on it but it's very complicated to understand...is it a blood clotting disorder?

Thanks for you help everybody!

[orphanannie59]

MTHFR was explained to me like this by my neice who also has it.

It is an enzyme that attaches itself to your red blood cells and causes your blood to be too thick to get through the veins in your uterus(since they are are small vessels).  When you take the extra (like 2mg) folic acid, the enzyme attaches itself to it and not your red blood cells, so your blood stays normal and gets where it needs to go.  My neice was diagnosed after 2 m/c and has carried two pregnancies, both beautiful boys and both very healthy with absolutely no complications.  Her sister's numbers on the bloodwork shows she has it also and her numbers are higher, so when she gets pregnant, she will have to take heparin shots along with the folic acid. I hope this helps you understand a bit better (and I hope I remembered it correctly).  SSBD!!

[ashort]

thank you gurls so much for the info....

Orphan...your story makes me feel good...I only had one m/c but insisted that they test my blood.  I just can't do another one....it's been so hard.  You really explained it nicely and I understand perfectly thank you...sounds like I shouldn't be too worried....

He said we can do genetic counseling if we want....I guess a counselor would explain it??

Thanks again!

[dainsey]

Hi there,
I have 2 mutations of the MTHFR gene.  My first RE put me on high folic acid and a vitamin B complex...I still had 3 mc's and when they tested the fetus, they came back chromosonally normal.  So I insisted on being given Heparin as I read somewhere online that women with mutations of the MTHFR gene who have had multiple miscarriages sometimes benefit from Heparin...So a new OB I went to gave it to me and now I'm pregnant with my 4th and I'm at 12 weeks.  My new OB swears it is the Heparin....A lot of other doctors will disagree but I don't care...it's the only think we changed and it turned out good...You may want to ask about it.

[ashort]

Thank you...I am actually going to switch OB's once I get pregnant.  I wasn't happy with my old one.  I went this morning and the RE gave me Folbic.  It is supposed to help keep your homocysteine down to help you absord the B vitamins and the folic acid.  I will ask my OB about Heparin.  My RE said my homo. levels are good right now which he was surprised about.  Do they monitor yours when you are preg?  I'm sooooooo glad to hear you are 12 weeks...almost out of the first trimester.  Did you m/c early before?  All my other testing came back fine so I'm thinking it was the MTHFR with me too.  I'm so glad I found this out now.  Congrats to you and thanks for your help!

[dainsey]

No, my homocysteine wasn't elevated so thats why the RE wouldn't give me the Heparin...But a doctor on the SIRM board told me that the Heparin at the low dose I'm taking (5000 2 times a day) wouldn't hurt me so why not give it a try.  So that's when I went to an OB and insisted on it and he agreed...MY OB also said that it is important that you take the Heparin before you get pregnant...I read Dr. Beers Book "Is Your body Baby Friendly" and he also recommends starting it on day 6 of your cycle and that is what I did. I really hope this helps you and I'll be praying for ya!!

[vsentz]

Sweetie, i am sorry i can't be much help in this topic, but I wanted to say i am SOOOOOOOO SOOOO GLAD you found your answers!!!!!!!!!!!! that is what we need! it's like the bottom of the situation! from here is all the way up to a happy pregnancy hun!!!!

yeepeee for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so happy!!!! BIG HUGZ!!! =))

[ashort]

AWWWWW thanks Vsentz...I'm so glad your appointment went well....yes, I think this was my answer...it may have been why I had the m/c...I started Folbic today...so we'll see...

Dainsey...hmmmm my RE is going to call me today and I think I will ask about it...if it can't hurt why not try.  Do you have to give yourself the shots or is it a pill?

[ntaylor]

Hey, I tested positive for heterozygous mtfhr when I underwent recurrent miscarriage testing, I've had 3 in the past year, no babies yet.. I'm on 4grams folic acid and a baby aspirin. My homocysteine levels were normal. My RE said no to heparin, I know it can definately be a miracle for those who need it, but it comes with a lot of risks in pregnancy if you don't need it. Good luck! I was glad to at least have found some reason for 3 miscarriages at the age of 24, it's so frustrating. I'm trying to be hopeful this time around, with metformin, clomid, aspirin and folic acid. I'm trying a lot of new things! Good luck to you...May we be blessed with many babies!

[ntaylor]

Oh! They also sent me to genetic counseling. Kind of a big waste of time for me! But it's good to have someone that can explain everything for you well. I just had done so much research I already knew everything they told me. They just told me to try again, miscarriages happen... I hate hearing that!

[ashort]

I hate hearing that too and I have only had one.  It's like they see it so often they don't think it's a big deal...to us it's a HUGE deal...."just try again" they say...I had one and decided that I was going to see an RE on my own.  My insurance doesn't require that I have referrals.  I am VERY glad I went.  If I hadn't gone this could've happened again (and it still could).  I got pregnant pretty easily the first time so he doesn't want to do anything right now for me.  He said for me to just try.  This will be the first month I can.  I had a m/c in June and just had my af for the first time this week...needless to say it's been a LONG summer.  I told my dh that we are going to bd every other day no matter what the OPK's say.  I have also done a lot of research but it's hard to understand....SD scientist and orphanannie explained it very well to me though....

[ashort]

I emailed my RE...didn't know I could do that until today...I have heterozygous MTHFR...he gave me a script for Folbic...it's supposed to lower my homocysteine and give me extra folic acid and B vitamins.  He said I should have my homo. levels checked when I am pregnant.  They are good now though.