homozygous A1298C and mental health?

[sunflowerjean]

I am 31 and have had chronic fatigue for the last 2 years and ongoing depression and anxiety for as long as i can remember. I just tested positive for the homozygous A1298C, and have borderline hyperthyroid and developed an ectopic heart beat 3 months ago that i experience as heart palpitations. The doctor says the palpitations are a harmless arrythmia and not to worry about it and take some zoloft. I wasn't happy with this and saw a naturopath to get the mthfr test. I'm now taking Kava and magnesium to try to manage the anxiety, and am about to fail the semester at uni because i feel ill all the time, sore muscles, fatigue, sore throat, headaches, mood swings, etc.. Any advice would be appreciated?

[sunflowerjean]

Thanks for the great info  :)
Do you know why we can't get methyl folate in Australia?

I'll ask the doctor for the TSH receptor antibodies test..

[Red_Star]

I can highly recommend a US company called Life Extension. I use my load and go visa prepaid card (from Australia Post) to buy online. Life Extension sells Folate (L-Methylfolate) for $25.20 USD (current exchange rate - $27.20 AUD). I paid an additional $7.50 for postage.

I requested the TSI test but found out the hard way that the test to request here in Australia is called TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb).

[sunflowerjean]

Hi Barb,

I had the Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab) tested, but not the Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin?

Do you think i should have the Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin tested aswell?

thanks for your help

[Barb135]

Which antibody tests did you have?  

[sunflowerjean]

I haven't started supplementing yet, i'm a bit confused about the form of folate and the dose i should take, my doctor doesn't know about the MTHFR polymorphisms, and i have read the methyl folate (active form) is the best one to take but isn't available in Australia which is curious? and folic acid can accumulate and increase the risk of cancer and can't get across the blood brain barrier.. i'm about to research how folinic acid which is available here is metabolised and see if it is the solution?

[sunflowerjean]

Thank you for your post, i had the antibodies tested for autoimmune causes of  thyroid conditions and am glad to be able to rule it out. Not too sure where to next with it all, but feel like i am starting to uncover and narrow down my health issues to an underlying predisposition..?

TSH = 0.97 (reference range is 0.35-4.94)
free T3 = 5.7 (reference range is 2.6-5.7)
free T4 = 14 (reference range is 9-19)

[sunflowerjean]

Thank you for your post, i will have the homocysteine checked..

[Red_Star]

The MTHFR A1298C mutation reduces MTHFR activity and you may develop high homocysteine levels. Recommended to test your homocysteine levels.

Excerpt from Health Newsletter Pasio - Homocysteine:

"Homocysteine is an intermediate in between methionine (an essential amino acid) and SAM-e or glutathione. Normally, homocysteine gets converted into SAM-e and glutathione. Both SAMe and glutathione have health-promoting effects. SAMe helps to prevent depression, arthritis, and liver damage. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant and detoxifying agent that helps to slow down aging.

Under certain circumstances, homocysteine doesn't get converted to either SAM-e or glutathione due to lack of B-vitamins, like B2 (riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid) and vitamin B12 (methylcobalamine), minerals as magnesium and zinc as well as trimethylglycine (from choline)."

Excerpt from Ladd McNamara, M.D Understanding Your Homocysteine lab test:

"A healthy homocysteine level is less than 7.0, and ideally less than 6.5.   And, for every 3 points above 6.5 there is a 33 to 35% increase risk of heart disease!  So, if you’re told that your 9.5 homocysteine level is “fine,” think again!

However, homocysteine should not considered the end all, be all blood test to assess your risk of heart disease.  It is just one indicator of several to take into consideration.  The homocysteine should be viewed in light of the C Reactive Protein, HDL, LDL, VLDL, and in particularly the Oxidized LDL-to-HDL ratio!"

[Barb135]

What are the results of your most recent thyroid blood tests?  Please post them and be sure to include reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.

Have you been tested for either Graves Disease or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis? Graves Disease is always associated with hyperthyroidism, but not all hyperthyroidism is Graves Disease.  The definitive test for Graves Disease is Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin.

While Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is, typically, associated with hypothyroidism, early stages can be characterized by periods of hyperthyroidism, which can swing to either normal or hypo, then back.  The tests you need to diagnose Hashimoto's are Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab).  You need both tests, because some people have one or the other, some have both.  Without both tests you run the risk of being misdiagnoses.

I'm not familiar with homozygous A1298C, but from what I understand it's an inability to produce folate from food.  From the little I've read, symptoms can be relieved with folate supplements. Are you supplementing?