Jan

20

UPDATE: June 25, 2019

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My wife, Nadia, and baby, Tasman, in a Russian village.

MTHFR and pregnancy is a bigger deal than most doctors want to admit.

It’s not a problem and it’s not scary. It’s something that you need to be aware of and address.

I’m glad you’re here because you are aware that having MTHFR and pregnancy is a big deal.

What’s really awesome is you can do something about it.

Finding out is the hard part.

Let’s address it.

First off –

As a father:

I’m honored with three healthy and beautiful boys (I think so anyway), I know I am very fortunate. I am thankful for this each day and never take it for granted.

As a physician:

I’ve worked with many men and women who had been trying unsuccessfully to have a child. Some call this infertility. I don’t like that label. You’re not infertile. You’re just not ready most likely and we can help you both get your body ready.

I’ve worked with many men and women who have children with significant birth defects or are somewhere on the spectrum. These parents are scared to have a second or third child. They are unsure what to do.

As a soccer coach:

I often have kids on my team who are struggling mentally and physically. It pains me because I know I can do something about it – and so do my boys. Yet the parents have no clue or no desire for alternatives beyond medications. Thankfully, some parents do and I’ve helped a few of these kids fully recover from frequent eye blinking, asthma, eczema, incessant fatigue, seizures, etc. It honestly didn’t take much beyond what I share with you here.

My passion is to reduce the incidence of disease in unborn children.

Phrased another way, my passion is to optimize the lives of unborn children.

That includes your children.

This is what gets me up and out of bed and excited to go to ‘work’.

  • Do you believe it is possible to reduce the incidence of disease or birth defects in unborn children?
  • Have you miscarried in the past or having difficulty with fertility?
  • Did you struggle with preeclampsia? Gallbladder problems? Water break early?
  • Have a child who is on the spectrum, spina bifida, hypospadia, tongue tie, congenital heart defects?

With the right preparation and tools, many of these can be avoided. The issue is you were never informed of this information before. It’s not your fault. It’s actually no ones fault.

What I’m sharing with you right now is literally cutting-edge information.

Many birth defects or significant pediatric conditions, even health problems later in life, are caused by inadequate nutrition before, during and after pregnancy.

This is a massive topic and one of extreme importance.

Before I go on and on about optimizing your pregnancy with the right prenatal vitamins and additional supplements, there are other factors that must be in play that go well beyond just swallowing pills.

Your pregnancy deserves to be optimal.

Here are two absolute must reads:

2 Must Read Books to Optimize MTHFR and Pregnancy

Dirty Genes book by Dr. Ben Lynch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why read Dirty Genes?

  • Pregnancy is a lot about methylation. This is why governments highly recommend folic acid so much. Folic acid is supposed to support methylation. The issue is it’s not the best form of folate to use. The combination of MTHFR and pregnancy really stress the point that you should NOT use folic acid. I discuss this heavily in this book and why.
  • Many women and men have a MTHFR mutation – also called a MTHFR variant. It’s not really a mutation. Your MTHFR gene still functions – just slower and is more susceptible to problems. Learn how to support your MTHFR gene – and again, having a MTHFR variant and being pregnant is very important to address. It’s not hard – it’s just new information and goes against most standards of care.
  • Not many people talk about the importance of other genes during pregnancy. Dirty Genes discusses a few other genes which are absolutely essential to be functioning at their best while pregnancy. PEMT, NOS3, DAO, GST/GPX are essential and I dedicate a chapter to each one. Then add in COMT and MAOA as they are impacting your neurotransmitters – and your hormones. So – essentially, Dirty Genes is a preconception health book.
  • Gallbladder issues during pregnancy – are a common issue and relates to methylation! Prevent it – and resolve it – and keep your gallbladder.
  • Pregnancy isn’t just about supplementation and food. It’s also about your environment, lifestyle and understanding what labs to order and which household products to use and avoid. This gets addressed.

 

Real Food for Pregnancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why read Real Food for Pregnancy?

  • Food is all our ancestors used to have healthy babies – and it worked. We’re here. The difference is our ancestors used Real Food – not the food we have today. Learn which foods are essential to an optimal pregnancy, why and which ones aren’t.
  • Addresses common complaints during pregnancy – nausea, vomiting, weight gain, gestational diabetes, blood pressure
  • How to exercise while pregnant
  • Which chemicals you need to avoid and where they exist
  • Tips on what to do for breastfeeding and postpartum

Your doctor recommend 4 mg of Folic Acid or Folic Acid generally?

This is 100% old school.

Yes, it is the current standard of care but do you want the standard of care or do you want better?

I want better and there is better – and it’s not that hard at all to do better!

The standard of care does NOT address the combination of MTHFR and pregnancy.

If it did, the standards would change – or at least – they should change. They should change anyway as we have far superior forms of folate available.

In the video below, I share scientific evidence of why folic acid is inferior and give you alternatives to use and why you want to use them.

You’ll need to dedicate 27 minutes to watching this video. If you don’t have time now, share this to your Facebook page, Instagram or email it to yourself.

 

QUICK FACT: Only 15% of pregnant women have adequate choline levels!

If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, you 100% have low choline levels.

This is shocking and must change.

This is why I highly recommend Optimal PC and Optimal Prenatal.

Choline is found in both.

Choline is a MAJOR methyl donor and used HEAVILY during pregnancy – and breastfeeding!

Prenatal Vitamins for MTHFR and Generally

There are very few prenatals that meet a high enough standard for me to recommend.

I had to formulate my own and it took me 3 years of research to do it.

Optimal Prenatal is the result.

Why did I have to formulate a new prenatal vitamin when there are already tons of prenatal vitamins?

  • Most use synthetic folic acid. This is NOT supportive for women having genetic problems in the folate pathway. In fact, it’s potentially harmful.
  • If not using folic acid, they use only methylfolate. It’s awesome finding prenatals that don’t use folic acid at all! Truly! They use methylfolate instead. This is a step in the right direction! However, we have to do better. Having only methylfolate is not effective for those with methylation blockages. Methylfolate is needed to bypass the MTHFR mutation and support methylation. Folinic acid is needed to support DNA base production, DNA repair, ATP (energy) production, neurotransmitter formation. While methylfolate can turn into folinic acid, it’s not that easy. Why? There are many environmental issues that can slow the conversion of methylfolate to folinic acid – and the conversion of folinic acid to methylfolate. So – use both.
  • Tablets. I am not a fan of tablets as they do not dissolve well in the digestive system. This means that the nutrients packed into tablets are typically not that bioavailable. When a manufacturing facility produces tablets, it literally sounds like a jackhammer. The force used to compress the nutrients into the stone-like tablet is tremendous. This is far from ideal when the goal is delivering nutrients.
  • Insufficient. The one-a-day prenatal or prenatal ‘gummy’ are great marketing schemes for women who dislike taking pills during pregnancy. I totally understand. My wife and I have three boys. I heard her mention MANY times that she didn’t like taking the pills as they made her nauseated or were hard to swallow. (This is why I made the Optimal Prenatal Protein Powder. Only wish I made it 13 years ago…). The problem with too few capsules is the pregnant woman is not going to obtain adequate nutrition for HER and the developing BABY. Pregnancy is an extremely demanding time and demanding times require more nutrition. Period.
  • Vitamin and mineral forms are weak to worthless. There are certain forms which are more available than others. Folic acid is one such example. Why use folic acid when there are more bioavailable forms now – folinic acid and methylfolate? Price. That’s the only reason. Using chelated minerals is way more effective than using minerals that are not bound to an amino acid. These chelated minerals are easier on the digestive system which means less constipation, less stomach aches, less nausea and more absorption in the blood. I could go on and on here but I will stop.

Proof Why Prenatal Vitamins Must Use Both Methylfolate and Folinic Acid

Prenatal vitamins and MTHFR

What you are seeing:

  • This is a slide from one of my conference presentations where I presented to a large group of health professionals. I informed them of the genetic and epigenetic issues surrounding pregnancy.
  • Folic acid is at the very top – and it has to go through ALL these genes in order to be turned into methylfolate.
  • The ‘bubbles’ are genes
  • Most of these researched genes are researched with neural tube defects and pregnancy complications.
  • Most of these researched genes have SNPs – like MTHFR
  • The green circles are pointing out the types of folate your body primarily uses. 5-FormylTHF = folinic acid and 5-MTHF = methylfolate.
  • If you have genetic or epigenetic issues, which many of us do, don’t use folic acid.
  • Take a prenatal that combines these active folates – both of them. This is not a slight recommendation. It’s a massive one.

Genetic SNPs in your Folate Pathway

Here are examples of 3 real people.

They first ordered a genetic test from Ancestry or 23andme. Then they took their raw data and ran it into StrateGene which then generated this report.

They found out which Folate SNPs they have.

Is this scary information?

No. It’s not.

It’s information that really informs you of how careful you need to be about avoiding folic acid, your susceptibilities and how you should focus food choices.

Folate pathway SNPs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do these mean and what to do about it:

In short, it means avoid folic acid and use real folates.

It also means that one cannot use folic acid in their prenatal vitamins.

It also means that you cannot just use methylfolate in your prenatal vitamins.

Here’s what it means specifically:

  • Reduced ability to transport folate due to SLC genetic variation. If taking folic acid, then their folate binding proteins may be gummed up and lead to issues. Solution: Avoid folic acid seriously, consume leafy greens, liver and supplement with real folates as needed.
  • Reduced ability to convert an early form of folate into active folates. Solution: more important to avoid folic acid, consume leafy greens, liver and supplement with real folates as needed.
  • Reduced ability to make methylfolate due to MTHFR variation. Solution: avoid folic acid, consume more folate rich foods like leafy greens, liver and supplement as needed.

The following are the prenatal vitamins I formulated based on my years of research.

To give you some perspective, it took me three years to formulate these. I did not rush it. A prenatal is far too important to rush.

  • Optimal Prenatal: provides 800 mcg of combined methylfolate and folinic acid for best folate support. Using only methylfolate in a prenatal is not recommended. This is iron-free. It is iron-free because iron competes with calcium and also many women need varying amounts of iron during pregnancy. Some need none and some need quite a bit. Use Optimal Iron Chewable for a well-tolerated iron supplement. I designed this for my wife as she couldn’t tolerate any iron. Thankfully this one she does.
  • Optimal Prenatal with Plant-Based Protein: provides the same nutrients as above in a complete protein smoothie. Simply add a scoop of this to your morning smoothie and you’re done with your prenatal. It takes more than vitamins and minerals to have a healthy pregnancy. It also requires adequate protein. This prenatal protein powder also provides additional nutrients such as L-carnitine (which the capsules do not).
threeboys

My three boys: Theodor, Tasman and Mathew

MTHFR and Pregnancy is not just about Prenatal Vitamins

Both men and women must prepare not only with vitamins and minerals – but also fish oil, probiotics, vitamin D, iron (amount varies), electrolytes and choline.

Here is The Optimal Way to support preconception, pregnancy and breastfeeding:

  • Optimal Prenatal or Optimal Prenatal Protein Powder.
    • I prefer the Optimal Prenatal Protein Powder because it is so comprehensive, easy to make and one is more likely to get all their vitamins and minerals for the day in a single smoothie.
    • The Optimal Prenatal capsules are great, too, but more work to remember.
  • Optimal PC or Optimal PC Liquid 
    • Since only 15% of pregnant women have adequate choline levels, I truly believe all women need to be supplementing with choline. This is VERY important to take all throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. Use the liquid form if you are vegan or vegetarian as the capsules are made from gelatin.
  • Optimal Fish Oil
    • EPA and DHA are critical for healthy membranes. Again, I believe this one is critical as most people are deficient in these nutrients.
  • Optimal Vitamin D Drops
    • This is still a major deficiency for most people. During pregnancy and breast feeding, it is recommended to take a minimum of 6,000 IU a day and up to 10,000 IU a day. Optimal Vitamin D provides 2,000 IU per DROP and may be taken once a week. You can take 3 drops x 7 days = 21 drops once a week and then not take it again until end of next week. Of course, you need to discuss this with your physician – along with all the other recommendations.
  • ProBiota HistaminX
    • Supporting the microbiome is key for both baby and mother. Research is proving over and over that a healthy microbiome is supportive to the developing baby in many ways. It’s not just with any probiotics but ideally those that support a reduction in histamine. Pregnancy is a time when histamine levels must be low as high histamine levels are associated with pregnancy complications. ProBiota HistaminX uses strains of probiotics which are known to break down histamine and also do not increase levels of histamine. Some probiotics actually increase histamine and these should be avoided during pregnancy.
  • Optimal Iron Chewable
    • Iron is not included in the prenatal vitamins because women vary in the amount of iron they need and when they need it. Taking too much iron during pregnancy is a common risk factor for gestational diabetes or other pregnancy related complications.

These 6 supplements are the most critical for MTHFR and pregnancy and pregnancy in general.

Keep in mind that prenatal supplementation is also needed during breastfeeding.

Why?

You are still nourishing yourself and your beautiful baby.

If you stop nourishing yourself, you will become depleted, possibly depressed and baby will potentially have methylation dysfunction.

These are things we must avoid.

Big Breastfeeding Tip:

If you struggle with mastitis or pains when breastfeeding, it may be due to low choline levels. By supplementing with Optimal PC, you increase your phosphatidylcholine levels which allow your milk to flow much easier. So many women report a complete resolution in painful breastfeeding when using choline or lecithin. Phosphatidylcholine is superior to lecithin so using Optimal PC while breastfeeding is key!

DOES THIS MTHFR and PREGNANCY PROTOCOL WORK?

Yes! For many.

I would LOVE to hear how this prenatal supplementation protocol has helped you throughout pregnancy and during breast feeding.

I received this amazing comment today via Facebook:

I used this protocol after 4 miscarriages and am now 32 weeks pregnant with our little angel! Your work is inspiring and amazing!

How has it worked for you? Please do comment and share!

Others need to experience a healthy and rewarding pregnancy – and the little stinkers after they are born!

Disclaimer: The information and product suggestions presented here are merely suggestions for you to consider. This information is not a prescription, treatment or diagnosis. Follow the suggestions and use the suggested supplements at your own risk. It is highly recommended that you discuss this information with your physician. Always seek the advice from your healthcare professional.

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[…] Mthfr.net gives a pretty good list of the pathology associated with folic acid use. And the nutrition that optimized well-being: https://mthfr.net/prenatal-supplementation-optimizing-your-future-child/2012/01/20/ […]

Adriana
10 years ago

Hello Dr. Ben,

I have been tested positive for MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C both heterozygous. I’ve lost 3 pregnancies. My doctor gave me Femibion which contains folic acid, Metafolin, vitamins and iodine. I also take 1000 mg Omega 3 per day. He said that I should also take 1 Clexane injection per day as soon as the pregnancy test turns positive until I give birth. Please be so kind and tell me your opinion about the treatment. Should I also take vitamin C and magnesium or anything else considering my problems? Thank you very much for your time and answer.

Maria
9 years ago
Reply to  Adriana

Hi Adriana,

I want to give you some hope 🙂 I have suffered 2 miscarriages and been diagnosed as homozygous for MTHFR C677T (they checked for many other things but everything else was ok). I am 36 weeks pregnant now (very healthy so far) and i have been taken Femibion and low-molecular-weight heparin (as Clexane) the whole pregnancy. I also take 2000 mg Omega 3 per day. I am not a doctor, but i think the Femibion contains vitamin C and magnesium enough so you don´t need to supplement.

Best of lucks with your next pregnancy!

Julie
10 years ago

In your audio I heard you say for calcium could also take moringa. I was reading on this website: http://moringatreeoflife.com/About_Moringa.html to not use moringa flowers during pregnancy. I wasn’t sure if you had heard that.
Anyway thank you for all of the valuable information!

Erin
10 years ago

Hello Dr. Ben,

I am homozygous C667T. Had 3 miscarriages before being diagnosed. I currently have 2 little ones and I’m nursing my baby. They gave me Folbic and VitaMed MD during my pregnancy but from one of your responses above I see that Folbic is insufficient. What should I be taking as a nursing mother? Thank you!

Erin

Heather
10 years ago

Dear Dr. Ben,

I was recently diagnosed with heterozygous A1298C MTHFR mutation. I am guessing the supplements you list above will be helpful for me, though my current OB only told me to take one baby aspirin daily (I am in the process of making an appointment with an RE as I have suffered a miscarriage and cannot emotionally go through that again). I am wondering what your suggestion is about how long I should be on this regimin before trying to conceive. This same OB told me we could conceive right away, as I am on my first cycle since the miscarriage. However, I am worried my body hasn’t built up all the nutrients it seems to be not absoring and/or missing. What is your recommendation? Thank you so much.

Nicole Oldfather
10 years ago

Dr. Ben
I had a healthy baby in 2001, but he was induced early d/t pre-eclampsia. Then in March 2005 I miscarried at 23 weeks, however they said the baby measured at 17 weeks. Again in Nov 2005 I miscarried at 16 weeks, baby measure 13 weeks. I was then tested for clotting disorders and had genetic testing done. The only thing found was MTHFR, but I don’t know what type. In Feb 2006 I got pregnant with my daughter and saw a perinatologist who put me on Lovenox, but said MTHFR had nothing to do with my losses and my ob/gyn believed the same thing. She was born healthy and no pre eclampsia that time. Then in Nov 2013 I was 18 weeks and lost the baby. I had been taking Heparin since I found out I was pregnant. That time I was seeing a maternal fetal medicine specialist who also did not believe that MTHFR had anything to do with my losses and she didn’t even want me to take the Heparin, but my ob doc agreed to keep prescribing it for me anyway. After the loss my ob/gyn told that if I got pregnant again she would not prescribe the Heparin since I miscarried even though I was taking it. Could you comment on blood thinners and still miscarrying? Also, I would like to have another child, I’m 37, but every doctor I have been to thinks that MTHFR is nothing to be concerned about, it’s very frustrating. I am just now really educating myself through your website. I think I saw mentioned that you do phone consultations, is that correct?

Elizabeth Carter
5 months ago

Nicole, did you go on to have a successful pregnancy after adding in the supplements suggested above?

Stephanie
10 years ago

What is a good iron supplement since the Optimal Prenatal doesn’t have any? The one I took while pregnant with my daughter was Mega Food and has folate and vitamin b-12 in it. My iron levels during both my pregnancies have been low so I know I need extra. Thank you!

Kimberly
10 years ago

You stated with regards to Sublingual B12: “Sublingual Active B12 with Methylfolate: provides 1 mg of methylfolate and 800 mcg of methylfolate in a small sublingual tablet.

I think you meant to said 1mg methylcobalamin and 800mcg methylfolate. 🙂

Michelle
9 years ago

Dear Dr. Lynch,

After being diagnosed with MTHFR heterozygous C677T with ACE deletion homozygous the hematologist I went to advised me that he didn’t think it would be possible for me to get pregnant. The fertility doctor I was seeing thought by implanting the embryo she could circumvent the issue, but after undergoing a failed IVF cycle and then trying on my own, I can tell that the embryo is trying to attach, but haven’t been able to obtain a positive test and end up losing it after being a week late in my cycle. Through all of this, I’ve also discovered that I can’t take baby aspirin, Lovenox or the other typically prescribed blood thinners, due to my allergy to NSAIDS. I tried Vitamin E, but broke out in red spots on my face. I saw Nattokinnase on one of your lists, but I’m unsure of how much I should take and if there are any associated risks. I feel like the Nattokinnase may be my last hope. I have been taking Neevo, Glutathione, DHEA and COQ10 for over 6 months now as recommended by the fertility dr. I also take Zyrtec-D and Zantac for my allergies and get allergy shots every 3-4 weeks, which my doctors seemed to think it would be ok to continue if I were to get pregnant. Any suggestions you could make would be greatly appreciated.

Cassie
9 years ago

Michelle,
Have you tried Arixtra? It is a synthetic LMWH that people take when they are allergic to Lovenox.

I take nattokinase regularly. I was taking it at the beginning of my last pregnancy along with Lovenox. I emailed a doctor who had done research on natto and felt like it was safe for pregnancy. If you look way back thru the history of it, it has been used thousands of years in eastern medicine for pregnancy, the real natto food that is.
I was still nervous about taking too much so I cut out the natto and stayed on the Lovenox. Exactly a week later I had a superficial clot in my leg ( I have FVL in addition to MTHFR). I ended up on a triple dose of Lovenox as a result.

Cassie

Lauren
9 years ago

Hello, I am quite nervous after finding your past writings. I had 2 miscarriages last year, one @ about 6 weeks and one @ 9 weeks after the heart had developed and we had seen the baby, however the heart was never strong. I was tested for the standard bloodworm at my OB and discovered I had the A1298C mutation. I then went to my wellness dr and had a ton of blood work done. My serum folate was >24.0, vitamin b-12 996, homocysteine 6.0.
I am currently taking 200 mg progesterone, raw prenatal vitamins (contain .8 folic acid) and Nordic naturals fish oil. I have been taking 1mg folic acid since week 3 – I believe now it was a blind prescpition writing – meaning – you have mthfr- and I don’t know much about it- so here is folic acid. I’m 6.5 weeks and haven’t taken my folic acid this am. I’m scared to take it- after reading this page & other info re autism and excess folic acid…
Thoughts? Please help!
Thank you, Lauren

Lauren
9 years ago
Reply to  Lauren

Correction – my prenatal is 800 mcg folate

Maria
9 years ago

Hi Dr Lynch,

I am a 29 years-old that has suffered 2 early miscarriages (after seeing healthy heart beat). After my second miscarriage i was diagnosed homozygous C677T for MTHFR. I live in Spain and I am currently pregnant, I am taking Femibion 2 (with Metafolin) and low-molecular-weight heparin. I am soon moving to Australia, and I’ve seen that i will not be able to buy Femibion there. Could you advice me what prenatal multivitamin or just what metafolin supplement could i buy in Australia? I´d appreciate advice from people from Australia too 🙂

Thanks you for a wonderful webpage!

Ronald
9 years ago

To whom it may interest,

My daughter was extremely happy to find she was pregnant a year or so ago. Sadly she miscarried in about the 8th week. She became pregnant again, was even more excited and then MC even sooner at about one month. To say the lest she and her husband were disappointed.

She found a new doctor who gave her a battery of tests. The culprit was soon discovered. She is a double homozygous for the MTHFR gene. We found this to be a curious mixture of good and bad news, unhappy to learn the facts of our flawed genetics but armed with the knowledge that it could be treated.

As treatment her fertility Doctor insists on her taking supplements of Folic Acid. This flys in the face of everything I have been reading on this site and others. I was under the impression that the condition blocks the conversion of folic acid to other chemicals and in fact can produce unhealthy chemical by products ( I should mention my daughter survived Melanoma at age 19). I encouraged my daughter to talk with her MD about the idea of Methyl Folate as a supplement instead of folic acid.

The problem is he flatly refuses. He even went on to make an analogy that since her conversion of folic acid is reduced then he must increase the volume much like dumping a larger amount of sand so that more of it will get squeezed through a small bottle opening. He also claims to have a high success rate with Folic Acid with his MTHFR patients.

In conclusion I am uncertain. Websites such as this are calling for MethyFolates while the trained MD is not accepting that idea. Any response would be greatly appreciated as with the struggles my daughter has had a healthy baby would be a blessing for her and her husband.

Yours Sincerely, A Dad

Vivian
9 years ago

I have Hashimotos and only take iodine with my prenatal
supplement. I see that your recommended prenatal uses
Potassium iodide…is this superior over kelp? I’ve heard
opinions on both sides.

Paola
9 years ago

Hi Dr. Ben!
I’m 22 weeks pregnant with a lot of contractions, no infection in me apparently. I have IGM 14H and IGG 12H, also my report says that I have positive 1 copy of A1298C mutation and that I’m heterozygous for the A1298C mutation with negative (normal) for the C677T. This is my 6th pregnancy (1 baby born at 31.5 weeks, 1 baby born at 36 weeks, 3 miscarriages and this one, in that order). With my first daughter, I was with contractions since 16-18 weeks more or less going and returning. But at 31 weeks I started to have contractions every 3 minutes so I got hospitalized and at 31.5 weeks told me that the infection (they never really knew where it was) was now in the baby, so they made a C-section. Se born with bronchitis and other stuffs. Now she is perfect. With the second one, I started with contractions since 16-18 weeks too. At 28th week the contractions started stronger until 34th week that the doctor took me out of medication (Ventolin) and she born at 36 weeks super healthy. With this one, I’d had a cerclage at 15th week. At 18th week I started with contractions apparently I had an urination infection but at the end was negative, since that day I’ve been in bed rest and my contractions are still going. I’m taking since the beginning Aspirin Jr., Complex B, Vitamin D, Folic acid, Maternal vitamins, Heparin, Meticorten. And now the Orciprenaline (metaproterenol) to stop contractions and ciproxine as an antibiotic. Do you think this could be because of my A1298C mutation? Also I have Bradycardia with secondary syncope. Can I do something to prevent a pre term pregnancy this time?
Thanks a lot!
Best regards,
Paola

Mjm
7 years ago
Reply to  Paola

What type of “infection” do you think you had at 31 weeks with your first child?
Did they ever find out exactly what infection the baby had?
I wonder as I possibly had some infection at 24 weeks pregnant that affected my son and created some umbilical blood flow restriction for about 3 weeks before it resolved itself.
My son is 6yrs old now ,non verbal and with delays and I am still trying to figure out this puzzle. Thanks.

Cheryl
9 years ago

Hi Dr Ben!

I am soooooo curious on what you have to say on treating morning sickness? You mention in the above podcast that you need to do a separate one on that topic. Have you done one? I can’t find anything on the topic on this site:( I’ve suffered badly with me pregnancies and would love some tricks to help improve quality of life while pregnant!

K
9 years ago

Hi Dr. Ben,

Do you think the methyl B12 will mobilize mercury in pregnant women?

thanks,
K

Laura
9 years ago

I am a bit confused about how much methylcobalmin to take while ttc/pregnant. I am homozygous 677t. I was previously taking Pure UltraNutrients, but I switched to your seeking health optimal prenatal. I noticed that the B12 is much less than what is typically recommended for MTHFR. Should I supplement with B12 in addition to your seeking health prenatal?

I am also taking 7.5mg deplin and NAC, and green pastures fermented cod liver oil.

Thanks for your help.

Sandi
9 years ago

dr. ben,

I am compound hetero and having trouble taking both the powder prenatal and the methylated b12 sublingual tablet. is it possible that i only need the prenatal and not the extra b12, too? I’m not sure how to pick between the two or divvy them up if it is important to take both. my doc has been suggesting both but even slowly working up to the dosages i eventually have terrible side effects with headaches and vomiting, and also weakness and fatigue for days leading up to the culmination of throwing up. not sure i can handle that much folate but want to make sure i am getting enough for a future pregnancy.

sandi

sandi

Katrina Kost
9 years ago

Hello Dr. Ben!

I tested positive for C677T single mutation and A1298C was negative. I was also diagnosed with low progesterone and poor ovarian reserve. My OB recommended I take Foltx and a baby aspirin every day. I was told by a friend who also has MTHFR to not take this due to the high dose of folic acid. After much research, I realized that this was true. So, instead I have been taking 800MCG of Metafolin and a B-Complex vitamin daily. I’ve also limited my intake of folic acid, gluten, and sugar. I have severe endometriosis and had numerous miscarriages. I’m 34 years old and I do have a healthy 4 year old, but he did have a hole in his heart as an infant (not sure if this is related to MTHFR?). I did not know about MTHFR while pregnant with him. There is a good chance that I am pregnant right now, so I want to make sure I am taking the correct pre-natal and that my diet is correct. I’ve had a difficult time finding the right OB in my area and hope to find someone who is well educated in this area soon. I’ve been told that my body doesn’t absorb iron properly in the past, but never understood why. Could this be due to MTHFR? I just ordered Seeking Health Active B12 Lozenge With L-5-MTHF – 60 Lozenges. Would this be a good fit for me? If not, what would be? Do you recommend I see a Hematologist? Any help is greatly appreciated, I’m feeling a bit lost. Thanks so much!!!

Becca
9 years ago

Hi Dr. Ben –

I’m currently 6 weeks pregnant and Compound Heterozygous. This is my first pregnancy after finding out I had MTHFR about a year and a half ago. I’m taking pretty much everything you’ve listed in this post/podcast with the exception of the prenatal vitamin and the prenatal powder. I am, however, using NuMedica’s Neuromethylation cream which contains the following:

5-MTHF
Hydroxocobalamin
Methylcobalamin
P5P
Natural vitamin D

I’m very curious about your thoughts on this cream and whether or not Seeking Health will offer it in the future.

Al
9 years ago

This site reminds me of facebook. Everyone is asking questions and no one gets answered!

Beth
9 years ago

Hi!
Can you recommend a good prenatal multivitamin, given recently found out I am compound heterozygous and also have high copper:zinc ratio. From what I’ve researched, a lot of multivitamins contain copper, and only the Seeking Health Optimal Protein Powder doesn’t seem to. Are there any others out there, that aren’t as expensive? Without folate?
This would be for TTC and during pregnancy. Do you also recommend continuing a prenatal multivitamin for the post natal period too?

Becca
9 years ago

Hi Dr. Ben –

I posted back on July 19th but had few more things I wanted to add. Before finding out that I was compound heterozygous, I had two very healthy and uneventful pregnancies and both children were born extremely healthy. Pregnancies 3, 4 and 5 all resulted in miscarriage. Pregnancy three was lost at 12 weeks while 4 and 5 were lost around 5.5 weeks. I’m still a little confused as to how I had two healthy pregnancies and children and then all of a sudden three miscarriages. I’ve had the thought that the interventions I had with my first two (pitocin and epidural) and the anesthesia I received with the DNC after the 12 week miscarriage may be heavy contributors to somehow “triggering” the MTHFR and homocystinuria. Could this be true?

As I said in the comment above, I’m currently pregnant and following your protocol with the exception of the prenatal (I’m taking the New Chapter prenatal.) After reading more comments and responses on the site, I’m concerned that I’m not taking baby aspirin or on Lovenox. With this pregnancy I’m seeing a midwife, not a regular OB. Should I start baby aspirin at this point? I’m 7 weeks along.

Thank you for everything you do.

Diana
3 years ago
Reply to  Becca

Hi there!

Did you ever get an answer to your question from anyone? I had perfectly healthy pregnancy and natural birth despite being homozygous for C667T, but recently miscarried at five weeks.

Thank you!

Donna
9 years ago

Hello,

I was just diagnosed as compound heterozygous MTHFR after my third pregnancy ended (ectopic). We decided to test due to my past history (first child with major neurological birth defects, and second pregnancy ending in miscarriage). My physician has suggested that I go on baby aspirin until I get pregnant, as well as go ahead and start Enlyte for B vitamin supplementation.

I have legitimately been diagnosed with Pernicious anemia 10 years ago (high gastrin level, increased stomach acid pH on EGD). I have been taking cyanocobalamin injections every 2 weeks for the last few years due to monthly injections not keeping my levels up. From what I’m reading, this may be due to the inactive form on B12 being used. I have found an active form (methylcobalamin injection), but it says it is not safe during pregnancy. I know that I need additional B12 supplementation, as it will not absorb in my GI tract. So, my question is this: Should I try a sublingual form of methylcobalamin in place of my monthly injections? My OB/GYN told me he had no idea……Any guidance is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Tiffany
9 years ago

I am trying to conceive. I just found out that I am homozygous C677t & I have endometriosis. What are the chances that I will conceive & have a healthy pregnancy? I am very worried & don’t know what I should do.

Mellissa
9 years ago

Hello Dr Ben. I have just recently tested positive for 1298AC and 677CT. My history with fetal losses has been 4 miscarriages, 1 tubal, 1 healthy child, 1 tubal, then another 2 miscarriages. All at 5 weeks or less. (This was all from age 28 to 31) I am 36 and we have been trying for the last 2 yrs to have another child without even a positive. As soon as I told my new dr, she had me checked for the MTHFR. She told me to go down to our health store and so this is what I am taking. TMG 1000 mg, 1 tab daily. Curcumin Phytosome 500 mg, 2 caps daily. B-Complex 50, 1 tab daily. However, this is what the owner said I should be taking. My Dr wrote that I should pick up CoQ10 and Tumeric. I didn’t because I trusted what the owner of the health store said. Should I be taking more? I also have a history of depression, which I take anti-depressants for and also severe migraines. Thank you for any advice you can give. Also thank you for this website! I had never heard of MTHFR before tuesday and this site has been a godsend for trying to understand!!

Lynn_M
9 years ago
Reply to  Mellissa

Mellissa,
You have what’s referred to as a compound heterozygous MTHFR mutations. Turmeric and its extract curcumin are anti-inflammatory and CoQ10 assists with mitochondrial processes. These are good, but there are foundational supplements that are critical for people with MTHFR that are probably even more important for you. Those are methylcobalamin, the active form of B12, and L-5-MTHFR, the active form of folate. People with MTHFR mutations cannot convert folic acid and cyanocobalamin to the active forms of folate and methylcobalamin, and those inferior forms of folic acid and cyanocobalamin are probably what is in your B-Complex 50. If so, ditch the B-Complex 50, because folic acid and cyanocobalamin competetively inhibit the active forms of those vitamins that you require.

Dr. Lynch is one of the preeminent doctors in the field of MTHFR treatment. I would follow the specific supplement recommendations he gives in this article. There’s much more to MTHFR treatment than just taking folate and methylcobalamin, you have to support your entire biochemistry. You also need to have a healthy lifestyle and attitudes.

You might also check your husband’s MTHFR status, since he contributes half of the genes to a baby.

Mellissa
9 years ago
Reply to  Lynn_M

Thank you sooo much Lynn!!! Your right, checked the B-50 complex, ditched it. Did pick up the CoQ10 and a good prenatal that has folate and methylcobalamin along with DHA, EPA, and GLA. I ditched my regular multi-vitamin because it had folic acid. Some of the recommendations Dr Lynch has are a little out of my price range, so hopefully I’m on the right track for now?! Thanks again!!

Lynn_M
9 years ago
Reply to  Mellissa

Mellisa,
Because Vitamin B-12 is such a large molecule, only about 1% of methylcobalamin taken orally (from swallowing a pill) is absorbed. So don’t rely on your prenatal to supply sufficient methylcobalamin. You should take additional methylcobalamin in either sublingual, IM injection, subcutaneous injection, or in the topical oil form as found at B12oils.com.

Given that you don’t have time to waste in trying to get pregnant again, you might consider nutrient testing to ensure that your levels are optimal. Spectracell Micronutrient test is a good option, as is something like Genova’s NutrVal.

Mellissa
9 years ago
Reply to  Lynn_M

Will get right on that! Thanks so much for your time Lynn!

Meghan
9 years ago

Before I became pregnant with my daughter I was diagnosed with PCOS. My daughter is now 1 year old. I had no trouble conceiving what so ever (thank goodness) and I had a wonderful uneventful very healthy pregnancy and un-medicated natural child birth. After she was born all the issues started. extreme anxiety, depression, mood swings, easy bruising, hair loss, dry skin, achy joints, brittle nails, numb heels when sleeping, memory loss. My OB checked my thyroid hormones and thyroid antibodies and Dx me with Hashimoto’s and low vitamin D. After much research I started taking 150 mcg of Selenium, 175mcg of Iodine, a hebal thyroid support supplement, 4,000 IU of D3 drops, wide spectrum probiotic. I started seeing a holistic Dr. who checked my thyroid again after 5 wks on this regime and found my TSH lowered from a 7.2 to a 4.7, and both thyroid antibodies decreased TPO from 208 to 163 and thyroglobulin is now less than 1, Free T3 increased from 2.5 to a 2.7. She also checked for MTHFR because I’ve always had issues with insomnia, brain fog, lack of memory, mood issues, and just general feeling of being unhealthy even though I do everything right (so I feel) I am 29 now, but have juiced for over 10 years regularly, eat a diet of mainly organics and grow a lot of my own produce. Mainly organic meats. I am very active. I was told recently by my holistic Dr that I need to go gluten free, which I have been changing over slowly but not 100% there yet. The test came back homozygous for C677t which has led me to this site. So I have a few questions.

1) My Holistic Dr. prescribed a whole new regime to see if my thyroid continues to get better and for the mthf and I want to know if all sounds okay as in amounts or interactions with each other?

Morning Routine
-Folapro: Methylfolate 800mcg (because I would like to conceive again)
-PyhtoMulti: (2 capsule serving size) summary of B vitamins only) Niacin 50mg, B6 25mg, methylfolate 800mcg, methylcobalamin 200mcg, biotin500mcg
-Ceralin Forte: (3 capsule serving size) Niacin 250mg, B6 25mg, methylfolate 500mcg, methylcobalamin 500mcg, Thiamin 30mg, Riboflavin 30mg, N-acetylcysteine 600mg, Acetyl-L-Canitine 600mg
Thytrophin PMG: Bovine thyroid processed to remove thyroxine
Vitamin-D3 drops 4000 IU

Lunch:
-Thytrophin PMG: Bovine thyroid processed to remove thyroxine

Dinner:
-OmegaGenics EPA-DHA 720: EPA: 860mg, DHA 580mg, other Omega-3 80mg
-Standard Process Organically Bound Minerals: Iodine 225mcg, kelp 85mg, dried Alfalfa 275mg
-Selenium 100mcg

2) Is it best to take all the B vitamins at once like how I was prescribed to take them all in the morning, or should I be taking small amounts throughout the day?

3) Is there a relationship between PCOS and mthfr? Hashimoto’s and mthfr? I don’t understand why I have so many hormonal issues!

[…] 妊婦向けサプリに関する詳しい情報はこちら https://mthfr.net/prenatal-supplementation-optimizing-your-future-child/2012/01/20/ […]

JulieK
9 years ago

Hi –
I’ve been diagnosed recently as hetero c677t. I recently had 2 miscarriages (blighted ovum and at 6 weeks) in the past 5 months. I do have a healthy 2 yr old girl after I had an early miscarriage back in 2010. My dr. just prescribed me folbic, but said it was not necessary. I’m 35 and trying to conceive again with a healthy baby. I was taking new chapter organics prenatal, but got my script filled. Should I reconsider taking folbic and take something else? Thanks.

JulieK
9 years ago
Reply to  Dr. Ben Lynch

Is the dosage in folbic too high? Or is that I cannot metabolize it therefore it could be either useless or toxic? Also, should my husband get tested for MTHFR too?

layan
9 years ago

hi dr
I am from egypt , no doctors in my country aware of mthfr mutation , i am homozygous mthfr c667t iam 27 and suffred from 3 chemical pregnencies i want to know which is the best for me ( optimal prenatal or active b12 with L-5-MTHF or homocystex ) and what is the recomended does if i tolareted ?

Carrie
9 years ago

In april I found out for the first time I tested positive for 2 copies of A1298C mutation. Homozygous for A1298c mutation and negative(normal) for C677T. I have a healthy 6 year old, my internist said it was a miracle. I didn’t know then I had the mutation. I had a miscarriage in 2011 – blighted ovum, and have been sexually active since then. I just found out I’m pregnant. I believe it’s because of the supplements my internist has me on. I’ll be 44 when the baby is born. What supplements should I be taking? I don’t see my ob/gyn til Friday and honestly I don’t think he’s up to par on the MTHFR mutation. I don’t want to wait until my ultrasound on Friday to begin supplements.

Also, my internist has me on ProbioMaxDailyDF, Biotis: IPS, Vitamin D3(10,000 iu), copper, DHEA (5mg), 1/2 iodine tablet, zinc 15, gastrazyme and l-Carnitine. I also occasionally take a samE supplement. I also take a liquid multi that does not contain folic acid.

After some research, I’ve been taking one bayer aspirin in the morning since i took the pregnancy test.

Should i continue with these supplements? What prenatal should I take? Please advise! Thanks!

jodi
9 years ago

Supplements for males, aid pre conception?

Anita
9 years ago

Dr.Ben,
I recently purchased the prenatal vitamins but when do I take the pills if I also take a thyroid pill (hypo). Since I don’t want it to interfere with the absorption of the prenatal pill. How many hours apart.

Tanya
9 years ago

Hi, Can anyone tell me if overmethylation is dangerous during pregnancy? I had six miscarriages before having my amazing boy. I would like to give him a sibling and feel I need to increase the amount of methylfolate I was taking. My amazing little man was born with a sacral dimple (benign, but related to spina bifida) and tongue tie – he is fine, (better than fine, he is sensational – does not sleep well at all, but sensational!) but I think these are indicators of not enough methylfolate. My issue is, I have increased my intake of methylfolate while still taking b12 and other recommended suppliments and I am feeling the effects of overmethylation (along with being tired due to my little man not sleeping well). I am older in age, so I can not wait to start trying again, I am already on borrowed time due to my miscarriages. I know I have a comt, plus other genes not great for using folate and oestrogen… so I am asking if the overmethylation causes probs ? does it increase the chances of blood clotting or any other side effect that would be harmful if pregnant. Sorry for any errors in writing this, my little man keeps hitting the keypad. Kind regards Tanya

Katie
9 years ago

I see this list showing Prenatals that are iron-free but I click on the link and the supplements have iron. We REALLY need an iron-free one ASAP.

“Optimal Prenatal: provides 800 mcg of methylfolate and folinic acid for best folate support. Using only methylfolate in a prenatal is not recommended. This is iron-free.

“Chewable Optimal Multivitamin: this has no iron, has a nice taste and requires a woman to take additional methylfolate during pregnancy and breastfeeding.”

Kelly
9 years ago

Dr. Lynch,

My husband and I are trying to conceive after several miscarriages. I am hetero for 1298c and my doc (who has been to your training) has me on a compounded supplement of the following:
Methyl B12: 2 mg
L-MTHF: 7.5 MG
P5P: 25 MG
ZINC: 10 MG
MAG: 40MG
NAC: 400 MG
D3: 2500

My question is, is this formulation fine to take once pregnant? I would switch to a prenatal once the pregnancy is confirmed, but for the few weeks that I would be pregnant and not know it yet, is this acceptable?
Thank you!

Kelly
9 years ago
Reply to  Dr. Ben Lynch

Thank you for the quick and informative response! I am going to order the prenatal powder.
I feel great on the 7.5 MG. I was worried about negative side effects, but haven’t had any.
I believe the magnesium is 40mg. I am not sure why so low.
I have been on this formulation for many months and my husband has also been on supplements (based on his blood work, needs, etc).
I planned to take a prenatal as well as my above formula, however, I was afraid of getting too much of the Bs.
Can I take the prenatal powder along with my current regimen?
Once pregnant, is the above formulation too high to continue?
Thank you for help, Dr. Lynch!

Kelly

Kelly
9 years ago
Reply to  Dr. Ben Lynch

Oh, and I forgot to add, the magnesium is glycerinate. Thanks!

Kelly

Kelly
9 years ago
Reply to  Kelly

Oh, and I forgot to add, the magnesium is glycinate.

Rose
9 years ago

Hi Dr Ben, PLEASE I AM DESPERATE NEED OF HELP FOR MY SISTER WHO HAS JUST HAD HER 11th MISCARRIAGE. She has not tried to get pregnant in over a year, cleansed her body, gluten free dairy free. She has been taking the supplements of Metformin 1500 mg, Metanx, Vitamin neevo prenatal,vitamin B6 B12 in all active form, and an aspirin before being pregnant. Doctor put her on lovenox 1 time a day this pregnacy. NO ONE IN NEW YORK KNOWS ABOUT THE MTHFR GENES. She was put on cynthroid 100mg to keep TSH DOWN BUT DOES NOT HAVE A THYROID PROBLEM. I will give you a history of both my sister and brother in law and I ask PLEASE give us some advice.
My sister has a history of ANA POSITIVE. HOMOZYGOUS FOR C677T with normal homocysteine levels. 2 copies of the 4g allele in PA1. Positive anti annexing.

My brother in law is heterozygous for 1 copy of c677t, 1 copy A1298c and Hetero for G20210 in the prothrombin factor, 2 gene at elevated risk for venous thrombosis, positive for 2 copies of 4g variant and is homozygous 1. This is what we have from doctors results. Please if you have any advice please help us if they will be ever to have a child together with all these MTHFR GENES. Thank you in advance.

Rafaela
9 years ago

Hi Dr. Lynch,

I am Homozygous for C677T and found this out 6 months ago after trying for a baby for 5 yrs with no pregnancy.

I stopped taking folic acid immediately once I found out and take now:
1 tablet of your product HomocysteX Plus and 1000 mcg Folate as Metafolin in addition.
Yesterday I had an embryo transfer as part of my 2nd IVF cycle (also had 3 rounds of IUI).

My supplements give me a total of 1800 mcg of folate a day however given I am homozygous is that enough? From previous blogs I read to also take 3000 mcg Folinic Acid which I will order but shall I take that instead of the additional 1mcg of Metafolin and just stick with the 800 mcg of Folate in the HomocysteX??

Also once question which I am confused about and can’t seem to find in your article:
The article seems to be a general article for anyone pregnant but does not give suggestions for Homozygous people specifically like your Basic Protocol.
Or am I supposed to combine your Basic Protocol and the Prenatal suggestions?
Your Optimal Prenatal Vanilla mix which I also ordered only contains 800 mcg of folate and folinic acid. Surely that’s not enough for someone Homozygous like myself?
I know you don’t like to give suggestions on amounts to take but an estimate would be great.

Thanks very much,
Rafaela

sandi
9 years ago

Dr. Lynch,

It seems like every time I try to take your prenatal, whether I gradually work up to the dose or not, I get headaches for several days at some point and then eventually am also throwing up all night.

I am compound hetero and have been working with an ND to clear a sulfur pathway first and it still didn’t work. Do you have other recommendations for meeting my folate needs for a healthy pregnancy with this mutation? Are some people just unable to tolerate folate or b12 in certain forms? For awhile, I seemed to be ok with hydroxo b12 and L5MTFH but I’m having trouble replacing the L5MTHF with your prenatal. I am afraid I messed it up somehow and now I will not be able to tolerate even what I was doing before (hydroxo b12 and L5MTHF). Would love help – I have been trying to work this out for nearly a year now before trying to conceive in order to try to avoid having miscarriages again.

sandi
9 years ago
Reply to  Dr. Ben Lynch

Dr Lynch,

Thanks for getting back to me. I have only tried the powder. Do you think the capsules would be any different? The folate that I tolerated well before was in capsule form.

I have been on probiotics and am finishing a candida diet. Cut out wheat and dairy is limited. What other digestive support is there?

Thanks for the article link. I passed it on to my ND. At some earlier point she did have concerns about glutathione with my sulfur pathway that she is trying to clear.

I am also breastfeeding which makes it more complicated and harder to know what I can and can’t take. Do you know if your preventive measures are breastfeeding and pregnancy friendly? (glutathione, electrolyes, adrenal cortex)

Thanks for all of the work that you do on this.

Jessica
9 years ago

Hi there!

I am so confused! I just found out I’m pregnant, 6 weeks, and I’m not sure what I should be taking! I’m homozygous for c677 and Herero for factor v.

I just ordered the optimal prenatal pills, what else should I be taking? My dr just gave me folgard but after reading this I don’t want to take it anymore.

Help!

Claire
9 years ago

Is it not possible to get enough natural folate eating liver weekly and leafy greens daily?
I am worried if I take the prenatal I will be overdosing on things like Vitamin A perhaps, since I eat liver each week and take cod liver oil.

Claire
9 years ago
Reply to  Dr. Ben Lynch

Thanks Dr Lynch for your reply. I will try get those levels checked privately. My GP only tested serum folate and it is very elevated. She didn’t know why. But I’ve had it elevated even in previous tests when pregant (and taking folic acid) and when not pregnant (and not taking folic acid). Any idea why this could be?

With my 4th pregnancy I started taking methylfolate later on but did end with miscarriage (despite 3 normal previous births). I think it was due to a chronic gut infection I’ve since discovered and a stressful year. This year I have developed anxiety type symptoms and am trying to figure out what is going wrong so I can have another healthy baby. I sometimes get a tight chest and can’t fgure out what is causing it. Any tips what else to test for?
Thanks for your great informative website.

Claire
9 years ago
Reply to  Dr. Ben Lynch

Hi Dr Lynch, Just wondering how much natural food form folate would you recommend would generally be enough to eat. e.g. one liver meal per week plus some sides of cooked leafy greens few times per week? (I get worried about eating too much raw leafy greens with all the stuff I’ve read on oxalates which I am suspecting may be an issue for me).
I am assuming if someone has certain MTHFR genes then one would need extra folate? (I have yet to test myself)
I just tend to feel that no matter how good a supplement is, the body deals with food sources much better and I would prefer to get as much nutrition from food before opting for supplements. And probably more risk of over doing it with supplements than there is with over eating food folate?
I would appreciate your thoughts on how to get enough food form folate.
Thanks!

Tsvety
9 years ago

Hello, d-r Ben!
My name is Tsvety, I am 32, from Bulgaria.
I have been diagnosed with MTHFR C677T homozygous mutation, after i had to cease pregnancy in 21 week, beacuse of several malformation in the baby Now, two years later I am planning again to try … Unfortunatelly we don`t have good spacialists here in Bulgaria and I am trying to educate myself through the internet. I hope I will find the answers of my questions here. I have one more missed abortion in 9 week last year (I don`t know if it has any relation with MTHFR). Now will be my third trial…. The main problem is that after the diagnosis became clear I was prescribed by the so called genetic specialist to take 3×1 Neofolic Meta + 2 x 1 B complex (normal). After a year we increased the dose to 3×2 Neofolic Meta. Recently I have understood that people like us are absolutely forbidden to take normal forms of these B-vits :(((((

Now I am searching for answers and fighting by myself. My question is what do you think about this specific product and if I start taking it now, do I have to continue taking it through my pregnancy and through the breast-feeding (with God`s help) ?

http://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-ultra-high-potency-activated-b-complex-high-bioavailability-60-veg-caps

Many thanks in advance, I am really counting on you to help me …

Tsvety
9 years ago
Reply to  Dr. Ben Lynch

Hello, d-r Lynch 🙂

Thank you very much for getting back to me.

I have already ordered the Swanson`s active B complex, because I didn`t know what to do 🙁 Is there a way to track the effect ? How am I supposed to understand is this product reflecting positive on me, or negative ?

I wanted to ask you in addition one more question. In Bulgaria all the specialists recommend the methyl form of B9 + B complex (normal synthetic formula). Is it ok for us to take the normal form of B complex, not active ??? is it harmful ?
Something else is a therapy with fraxiparine injections while being pregnant. But I stil cannot understand in which cases this therapy is needed ? Me presonally, nobody prescribed fraxiparine ….

Thank you in advance !

lauryn
9 years ago

Hi Dr lynch,
Does Garden of life provide the correct folate form for MTHFR? It says it is folate from organic lemon. Does this get absorbed as easy as the L5MTH? i have been taking the Garden of life and the Jarrow b-right. What do you think?

Thank you so much for all of this wonderful information!

lauryn

[…] making some changes, particularly in what supplements I’m taking. This is a slightly overwhelming list of recommendations for preconception and pregnancy for folks with MTHFR. I’m starting with […]

Lauren
9 years ago

Hi Dr. Lynch,

I’m compound heterozygous and am 24 weeks pregnant. I’m currently taking Seeking Health Optimal Prenantal , Seeking Health Optimal Fish Oil, Seeking Health Active B12, in additional to PB8 probiotics and Calm (magnesium).

Is it safe to also take Glutathione or NAC while pregnant to aid in detoxing my body?

Thanks,
Lauren

Molly
5 years ago
Reply to  Dr. Ben Lynch

There have actually been studies conducted showing that NAC taken through 20 weeks of pregnancy reduces the rate of miscarriage by 290%. Don’t take my word for it— feel free to research it.

lauryn
9 years ago

Hi Dr. Lynch-
Is it ok to take your vitamin E during first trimester? I have been reading studies online linking Vitamin E (400iu+) with birth defects. Is there truth to this? If not, how many of the Vitamin E 400 should I be taking and when should I start?

Thank you for all your generous help!!
lauryn

Claudia
9 years ago

Dr. Lynch,

I have had 7 implantation failures with c677, leiden factor v and endometriosis while taking Lovenox and NeevoDHA. I have been working on healing leaky gut with GAPS protocol for last six months and implementing your protocols. But, I can only tolerate up to 200 mcgs of L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate and hydroxocobalamin. Any more methylfolate and methyl B-12 and I get terrible joint pain, depression, etc. I am taking your B-minus supplement and will start on calcium d gluconate to be able then to take glutathione, as per your article. Is there something different about the form of L -Methylfolate in NeevoDHA that makes it more tolerable? I didn’t have any side effects with that form. Also, I can take folinic acid with no side effects.

Thank you for your great website and all the supplements from Seeking Health!

Niki
9 years ago

Hi Dr. Ben,
I’m 29 yrs old and have been dealing with rpl for 13 years. I’ve had 6 miscarriages all at the same time of 6 weeks and had one live birth but she had IUGR and died 8 days later. I just found out in May after my last loss that I have heterozygous c677t and the doctor said that had nothing to do with my many losses. Anyway, with my last 2 pregnancies they tried heparin thinking I had a bleeding disorder but didn’t know what, and that didn’t work. The second time, they doubled my heparin and that still didn’t work. And there was another time they tried progesterone and that didn’t have any impact. I do know that whenever I get pregnant, all my numbers:hcg, progesterone etc, all look great and then BAM! Instant death almost. Wth is going on? Is just heparin not enough? I know now what I have, so I can take the right vit, but I’m quite terrified. Just moved to another state cause I have NO trust in the other state I was living in. I can’t handle losing another baby, burying one was hard enough. Please, please give me some insite.

Elizabeth
9 years ago

Hi. I am homozygous C677T and plan to get pregnant soon. I want to make sure I have this clear: You recommend to take the Optimal Prenantal with the addition of Sublingual Active B12 with Methylfolate AND L-5-MTHF?

Also, the Optimal prenatal has CoQH in it already. You want us to add more in addition to that?

I am confused as to why you suggest taking the chewable cal/mad plus D, Optimal vitamin E, and Optimal PC. Can you please explain? Thank you

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