Hi Erin - Congratulations!!! I'm thrilled for you. Your success can give us all hope. Thanks for updating us on where you are. Please keep us posted - it is great to hear about a happy story! And thanks for the links and info. ↑
I do enjoy hearing all of yalls success stories. Also thank you for the good information Erin. Unfortunately I have nothing to report because the receptionist at the Docs office messed up the schedule, so my wife and I will be seeing the doc about our results this upcoming Tuesday. Will keep you all posted. ↑
I was prescribed FOLTX, which is a combined Folic Acid, B6 and B12 supplement. My insurance only covers part of the cost, unfortunately. It contains 2.5 mg folic acid, as opposed to 400 micrograms in over the counter supplements. It is given to anyone who elevated homocystine levels to bring them back down to normal, and now in MTHFR patients so that their homocystine levels don't rise in the first place. My father takes it because although he was never tested for MTHFR (I"m adopted anyway), he did test slightly high for his homocystine levels a few years back. I also take a baby aspirin a day, as back up. The specialist said I could stop it or continue for awhile longer if I wanted. Up to me. You need to stop for a month or two before delivery so you don't bleed too much. ↑
This site shows how much Folic Acid and B vits are in Folgard, Foltx, Folbee and monthly costs. It also shows you how to approximate the dosages with over the counter supplements.
Erin ~ Thanks so much for posting! I've been having some lows, wondering if I should even conceive again based on the "risks" of having MTHFR. I'm so happy to hear you're having a good pregnancy. I'm also adopted and in some ways, I'm thankful that something "good" came out of my miscarriages since I've never known my medical history. Even tho having MTHFR isn't positive, at least I know. I'm a homogenous MTHFR so both my mother and father gave it to me. It's the only link I have to them. Anyway, please keep us posted. I'm getting my homocysteine tested the week of March 7, and hopefully TTC later in March (if all goes well with the test). ~Cheryl ↑
Hello. I'm new to this site. I was told recently, after two mc and extensive blood work, tha tI have a MTHRF gene mutation. I found this site and am surprised to see how many women have been dealing with this. My doctor recommended daily aspirin and 400 mcg of folic acid in addition to the prenatal vitamins until I meet with her to discuss whether my levels are within normal range. It's nice to know I"m not alone. ↑
Hello Ladies, I am a little different than you and I am so lucky to have found all of you though. I am 26 years old and am pregnant. I don't want that to be construed as throwing it in your face I am telling you my story. My cousin has had 6 miscarriages and was tested positive for Leiden V Factor. Her mom and another Aunt also were tested for it and found they had it. I told my Dr. about the family history and he immediately had me tested for it. I do have it so I am on injections of heparin. He sent me to a high risk Dr. and that Dr. told me I also have MTHFR. He put me on the folic acid, B-6, B-12, calcium, and aspirin. I told my cousin who has had the miscarriages and she does not know if she was ever tested for it. The specialist scared me big time with the problems associated with MTHFR. My Dr. told me that he will not let me deliver naturally because there is a chance the baby will have a stroke. I am very scared and my heart goes out to each and every one of you. I am very scared. Has anyone ever heard of a stroke for the baby? ↑
Hi Carlie - Congratuations on your pregnancy. I must admit, stroke at delivery is not one I've ever heard it. My specialists seem very relaxed about MTHFR if you are taking the folic acid/b vitamin supplement, your homocystine levels are normal, and you are taking an aspirin a day. I do know another woman who was homozygous for MTHFR and she was on heperin but delivered naturally. There is still a lot to be learne about MTHFR and what it is associated with. It is definitely associated with an increase in blood clots, stroke, etc... but only in those with high homocystine levels. Homocystine levels can be easily managed with folic acid/b vitamin supplements. ↑
Carlie, it was good hearing your story. I want both my parents to get tested for MTHFR since I have it. I don't think they understand the implications it can have on them (since they aren't trying to get pg and all!). I'm still trying to find out the dosage of b6 and b12 I should be taking. What did your dr. recommend? thx! ↑
Mm - I posted that information in a web link above. It tells you what over-the-counter amouns of folic acid and b vitamins you need to approximate Foltx/Folgard. I want to add that although I am delighted to have been diagnosed and to be treated for MTHFR, I did have a completely normal pregnancy without any clue that I had it and without any meds or special supervision. So, although MTHFR can cause issues that need to be watched carefully, it doesn't always. Hope that gives you all some hope. If you are being treated, odds are you will be just fine. ↑
Hello, (my other info is posted above). Does anyone know what low homocystein levels are from. My regular OB ordered the tests to speed things up since I could not get into a cardiologist until Mar2 and a parinatal Dr until 4/21. I just got the levels back expecting high or even normal and the levels are low. If you have the chromosomal mutations I know high levels of the homocystein are caused by the improper bodily usage of folate. You need more folate and then the levels of homocystein come down. What in the world causes low homocystein levels and is it a problem? Still waiting on parent testing for genetic issues. Mine have got it done but we need my husbands parents tested as well since he has the A and C mutation exactly like I do. They are being sticks in the mud and dragging their feet. I have my cardiologist appt on Thursday. I'll keep you posted. K ↑
I would not worry and count yourself lucky. Low homocystine levels are not a problem. You might have an excellent diet (do you eat fortified cereals, green veggies?). OR, according to some studies I have read, some people, including homozygotes, just don't appear to be affected by MTHFR issues, or not always. Sometimes age is a contributing factor. I would just take precautionary measures and discuss with your doctor. Low homocystein is good! ↑
Hi. I am wondering if anyone will share their thoughts with me. I had a early m/c when I was 24..then a healthy normal pregnacy at 25 and delivered a healthy, full -term baby boy. I am now 27 and experienced another early m/c with a twin pregnancy. My OB ran some tests and I came back + for a MTHFR mutation on one alle. He prescribed a folic acid supplement....Do I need the baby aspirin and other B vitiam supplements? Can anybody offer knowledge on what they know about one mutation on one alle. What does that mean for future pregnancies? ↑
If you only have one mutation on one allele (heterozygous) it is unlikely that MTHFR is causing your problem, although some studies have shown that heterozygotes can sometimes have higher homocysteine levels. Have the doctor check your homocystein levels, but don't rule out other possibilities for the mc's just yet. ↑
Thanks for the info...just peeling through what I can find on the web...it is somewhat confusing. Sorry for the misspelling. Any suggestions on where I can go to read more about MTHFR? So is my OB just being proactive with the folic acid supplement?...Thanks again! ↑
I just checked the dosage on my supplement....it is only 1 MG compared to the 5 MG I see most people posting. Do you think it should be 5 MG or not since you don't think the MTHFR is the cause of the m/cs? I am interested in any thoughts. Thanks! ↑
Hi everyone...I am so happy to find this forum. I have had a tough history as many of you have experienced as well. I have a 3 year old little boy..and through that pregnancy everything was great. I delivered him C-section and was pregnant 10 months later. Unfortunately, that endedwith an ectopic pregnancy. It was a disaster becuase it had fallen out of my tube and attached to the ovary and bowel. Needless tosay I needed laproscopic surgery and a shot if metholtrexate. The D and E did not work bc there was nothing in my uterus. Following that, I waited about 7 months and got pregnant again. this time and for 3 consecuove pregnancies, I miscarried. All seemed to have different reasons. 1- blighted ovem, 1- no reason 3- triploidy. The last one was followed by fertility. Just recently, I switched to a new fertility doctor and had tons and tons of bloodwork done as well as a hysteroscopy. Ends up that I did have scar tissue in my uterus which was removed and found out that I have MTHFR also. The doctor said that it is compund heterozygous (C667T and A1298C). My homocysteine levels are normal. I have been proactively taking additional folic acid, my regular prenatal (Vitafol), baby aspirin, and Vitamin B compound. The doctor suggested that I continue this and once pregnancy is confirmed begin levonox shots as a precautionary due to my history. He said through the first trimester. I am so confused and scared. At one point, I thought I should just forget everything and adopt. We really want another child. I have to also say that I was worried about chromosomal abnormalities, tobal defects, etc. Is there reason for concern? I work in special education and can't help but think and wonder about that. What does anyone think? ↑
Well I told yall I'd keep in touch with what happend with my wife and I after our appointment to discuss our results. I have to say I was really disappointed with the information we did or did not receive. Honestly, thanks to you ladies, I feel we were more prepared with information about MTHFR than the doc was. Long story short, he didn't recommend any folic or b medicines or even baby aspirin. He basically just said bad luck and keep trying. So I had to bring up with him that I've been on this forum and have heard that the folic, and b vitamins could be of help. He agreed that it might and said we could try it if we wanted. That was about it. So we went and bought all the supplaments ourselves and had to talk to the pharmacist at Target to find out more about dosages. Out of curiousity...do any of yall have a more informed doctor on MTHFR that live in the Northern Virginia area? I'm thinking about getting a second opinion. Thanks. ↑
Hi Nate~ My name is Amy & I have posted a few entries about. To sum up quickly, I have had 2 mc's and have the A1298C mutation. I am seeing Drs. Lantz and Sweeney at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, and my husband and I are pretty happy with them so far. Also, I have some info. on the Genetics and IVF Institute in Fairfax; I have heard that they are pretty good if you feel like you want to go that route (our doctors say that we don't quite need to try that yet). Also, one of my friends told me that Shady Grove Fertility in Rockville is pretty good. I hope that this helps!! ↑
I did go to Genetics and IVF just for a consult on MTHFR. They were GREAT! I'm planning on trying again without help (except the vitamins that everyone else has mentioned). They do give you a complete analysis of the mutation and how to handle it for pregnancy and for the rest of your life. ↑
Hi all. I just got good news - My homocysteine levels are normal. This has been the barometer for me on whether we try this month. Anyone else TTCing around the end of March?? ↑
I just came across this site while searching about MTHFR. I was informed yesterday that I have both c677t and a1298c. I am about 7 weeks pregnant.
Background....I have a 26 mo and a 13 mo. I had the start of preeclampsia with my first and had an emergency induction, but I was 38 weeks, so the baby was ready. My blood pressure did not go back to normal right away, as in most cases, but was high for several weeks after the birth. No medical reason why. No problems with my second child, except that she was footling breech and had to be delivered via csec. I did have a pregnancy before my first child was born that ended at about 7 weeks in miscarriage.
In the meantime, my middle sister, who had her baby about a year before my oldest had a miscarriage. Her doctor decided to run a bunch of tests and found that she had the MTHFR c677t mutation. They sent her to a specialist who put her on Lovenox for her entire pregnancy. She gave birth to her baby girl a couple weeks ago with no complications. Interestingly, with her first pregnancy, she was on bedrest from 4 mos on for high blood pressure and when baby was born (she made it almost full-term) the placenta was about 1/3 of the size it should have been and her amniotic fluid was barely a trickle. We were lucky that she was not harmed.
I also have another sister who was tested and she also has the MTHFR c677t. She had a normal pregnancy and birth with her daughter as well, though her daughter had a minor birth defect. When she was born, a piece of skin just under her chin was actually attached to her chest. Like if you bend your head forward and connect it. Fortunately they were able to just cut the piece and sewed it up and she was fine (there was some concern that there could have been important veins or tissues inside the connection, but there was not).
So, interesting information. Is this disorder the cause of these strange episodes, or were they caused by something else?
What people need to remember is that DNA has only been known about for 10 years or so now and researchers have only BEGUN to understand all the facets.
It is possible that this mutation is the cause of so many problems. It is also possible that it has nothing to do with it. I figure that if there is a possibility that my child or I will be harmed and I can help that not to happen, I will do everything I can. For those out there who doubt the science or even the theories, I say believe what you will, but allow others to believe what they will.
Ya know, my mom smoked while she was pregnant with my sisters and I and we are fine. That is not a good enough reason for me...I quit to have babies (after 10 years of smoking). If there is ANY chance that smoking could harm my child, I will not risk it. Which is why I will take medication, as recommended by my doctor. Because what if my child is born with a neural tube defect and I refused the medication. I will always blame myself for not doing everything I could to avoid something like that..
Anyway, just wanted to share my story and my opinion.
Dear.Want1more. I will be trying to conceive at the end of March. We tried on our own this month as the fertility Dr's weren't going to be in on Wed when I would have been ovulating to do the insemenation. I doubt that I will get pregnant as it has been a long time since we got pregnant on our own and that ended in a m/c. I have homo...mthfr with an elevated homocystine level. I'm taking 4mg of Folic Acid 25mg of B6, 500mcg of B12 and baby aspirin. We are hoping for the best but the last IUI failed. Good luck to you and keep posting. ↑
Hi all!! I have 2 children(15 and 2 3/4), i've had 3 miscarriages in a year and a half(the last one just last week confirmed two days ago. I also found out that I have MTHFR. I only have the single one, but my doctor says he doesn't think this is what is causing my m/c's. he said I can start Flolic, B6 and B12 right away. The last m/c i was on progesterone supp. and baby aspirin and m/c anyway. Each m/c was at week 4, 4.4 and 4.6. I'm at a loss and can't understand why this(MTHFR) couln't be causing this and that this just happens becuase it wasn't meant to be? ↑
Dear Want1More...I hope that my wife and I will be starting at the end of this month or beginning of next. Basically since we aren't taking any more tests before we try again, we're gonna let the folic/b6/b12 do its thing for about a month, pray and try again. Will keep yall posted. ↑
Nate and Gigismith ~ I should have signed my name since my screen name doesn't give it away. It's Cheryl. I'm TTC #3 after 2 m/cs. I look forward to hearing your updates. I'm hoping to ovulate around March 24. Just got the go ahead from my ob today to go for it. Take care. ↑
