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The MTHFR Factor in Chronic Infection

8/31/2013

8 Comments

 
Having a chronic infection can lead to many complications, especially if one's body is sensitive to toxins, medications chemicals, etc and becomes overloaded easily. Many people do not know this about their own system unless something impacts their body in such a way that they can not recover easily. In many benign ways, this can be seen as a low tolerance to alcohol or high propensity for hangovers, or it could be a history of being sensitive to medications or even having an adverse reaction to drugs. Scientists have found the gene mutations MTHFR 677 and 1298 and say these speak to why this may happen in adults and children alike. 


Why is this important with people who have chronic infection? Many Lyme and PANDAS literate doctors are now looking for the MTHFR  gene mutations in their patients. When one has Lyme disease or PANDAS the body is working hard to kill off infection and then help it and the toxins produced, exit the body. If a patient has one or two of these mutations, the body has to work that much harder to clean out the infection and often can not do it without specific targeted help that aid the methylation pathways to work more efficiently.

I read a study that Dr Jones posted on his website about children on the autistic spectrum. This study noted that 98% of the children they studied, who were on the spectrum, had both of these gene mutations. This is interesting to me, especially because many mothers will say their child was fine until immunizations. It is curious how important efficient methylation pathways can be. 

Recently I saw a teenage boy who in addition to physical symptoms (joint pain, fatigue, insomnia), was cutting, socially isolated and depressed. He began dabbling in pot and started skipping school. After a Lyme assessment, the doctor found this and other co-infections. The treatment helped his physical symptoms, but did not seem to touch any of the depression. In fact, the depression seemed to be worsening AND he developed paranoia and suicidal thoughts. This teen seemed to be on the path for self destruction. One day, as if spontaneously, the darkness lifted and he seemed like a happy adjusted adolescent. Curious, I asked mom what treatment protocol changed. The only change was the discovery of the MTHFR gene mutation. After a month of liposomal methyl B 12, liposomal methyl folate and B6, he was worlds different. In fact, shortly after this, he was able to cut back on therapy sessions and graduate!

This gene mutation is not only important in chronic infection, but also in those without disease. Countless clients of mine have found relief from depression, isolation, sensitivity to alcohol or medication, miscarriages and more. If a loved one's symptoms do not make sense, research and see if asking your doctor to test for the MTHFR gene mutations may be a good idea. A simple lab test can help you determine whether or not MTHFR is effecting you or someone you love.


Please feel free to comment or post questions to this blog. We welcome your ideas and perspectives. 



8 Comments
Gabrielle
9/6/2013 04:46:35 am

Your comments are welcome. Please reply!

Reply
Laura
9/17/2013 08:49:33 am

I found this so interesting! I'd never heard of MTHFR gene mutations until my kids and I were diagnosed with Lyme and didn't really know how it factored in with Lyme and all of our symptoms. This post really helped me to process all of the ways the different aspects of our health are related to one another. Thanks!

Reply
Billie Jean Perkins
1/5/2014 10:58:29 am

I found this article most helpful in the understanding of some of the mutations that can happen. It took me a few times to read and understand because I can rarely keep 2 things at a time straight, let alone 1.
My LLMD is stumped at the moment. She believes I have Bartonella along with 5 or 6 other coinfections and I did have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which cleared up on the Doxycicline. I still take this along with Azithromyacin but the test she thought would prove Baronella, did not. I was devastated. The money is running out and I am relapsing into things I had forgotten about. I also had another bout of what the original (family doctors) thought was shingles. This outbreak was my 14th or 15th, and it is now traveling. My new family doctor took 3 biopsies from 3 separate lesions, pustules, or there is another name for the Bartonella sores and I can't remember it right now but I did take pictures to show her when I see her again the end of the month.

One of my sister's also called today, from Virginia and told me about an article she had read last year that said there is a mutation of some sort in Virginia only. I want so much to find out what this is. I have been to Virginia quite a few times to see my son and his family so I am almost certain that is where I was originally bitten by a tick. Just never had the bulls eye rash.
If there is any information you can help me with, please do. Please, please, please. I almost feel like I am going crazy sometimes.
Sincerely,
Billie Jean Perkins

Reply
Gabrielle
1/6/2014 06:32:05 am

Billie Jean, please email me directly Gabrielle@FamilyTherapyNova.com I hope I can help point you in a good direction

Reply
Amber C
7/10/2014 12:43:59 pm

I had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever as a child. I am now 32yrs old. When I was 25 I had some genetic testing done after one of many failed pregnancies. MTHFR was one of the things that was found. Since then I have had two lumbar discectomy surgeries without fusion. The surgeries have helped with my symptoms but I have unexplained muscle spasms, weakness, & pain. My neurological symptoms are not localized to areas typically affected by lumber disc herniations. They seem to come & go without any set pattern. I'm desperate for answers! Can my history with RMSF & having MTHFR cause these unexplainable neurological issues? Where can I turn for help?!?!

Reply
Jen Kanaba
2/21/2017 03:15:11 pm

Thank you for this article. My son has PANDAS and a single MTHFR mutation. I have read that you need to be careful of the type of Vitamin B6 and B12 that you give, because they can have bad effects on people. Doe you find any truth to that statement. Thank you very much for your time!

Reply
Gabrielle Anderson
2/21/2017 03:23:43 pm

Hi Jen. Since this article, more testing has become available to see if methyl b-12 and methyl folate are right or if another option is better. I recommend talking to the doctor who diagnosed the MTHFR what to do next because they should have follow up recommendations for you. I am glad the article spoke to you.

Reply
Recipe Spooning link
2/27/2021 11:33:30 am

Very nice postt

Reply



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    Author 

    Unless specified, Gabrielle Anderson, lmft is the author of these posts. Gabrielle is a Therapist and the Director at FTC. She is a married mother of 2 and has experienced chronic infection in the practice, herself and in her family.



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  • Us
    • Meet the Team >
      • What is an Intern?
      • What is a Resident?
    • Blog: Varied Topics by Our Clinicians
    • Blog: Lyme, PANDAS & Other Infections in Children & Adults
  • Adults & Teens
    • Individual Therapy
    • Couples Therapy
    • Family Therapy
    • In Crisis?
  • Child/Tween
    • Play Therapy Explained
    • Issues We Treat
    • Playful Tele-Health
    • In Crisis?
  • Meditation
    • 8 Week Stress Series
  • Admin & Contact Info
    • Paperwork for Chloe Cook Clients
  • For Other Therapists
    • Play Therapy Trainings >
      • Play Therapy Training
      • Play Training: Jan 22, 2021
      • Play Training: March 19, 2021
      • Grievances & Refunds
    • CE Trainings
    • Supervision: RPT