What the heck is the MTHFR gene?

Dear friends,

A lot of you may be wondering right now, "what the heck is this gene thing this weirdo is talking about"? Well, MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate. The MTHFR gene provides important information regarding the production of an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. This enzyme plays an important role in the basic biological processes occurring in every human body; in short, it helps break down certain amino acids and converts a useless form of folate into a form that can be utilized in other essential processes. Every person on this planet has two copies of the MTHFR gene. However, some people have one, or both, of the two genetic variants of this gene (C677T and A1298C), and it's actually a lot more common than people realize. Interestingly, most of the people I discuss this gene with have no idea what I'm talking about---

which is pretty concerning if you ask me. Now, let me tell you why.

For one, not much research has been done relating to these genetic mutations, but in some ethnicities, the chance of having at least one of the mutations is as high as 50%. Most people who have a genetic mutation involving the MTHFR gene don't know they have it. Also, many conditions have been associated with the mutation, such as depression, anxiety, colon cancer, miscarriages, etc. And although these associations are controversial, I can tell you personally that they must tell somewhat of the truth based on my experience.

Throughout most of my adult-adolescence, I have struggled with my mental health, whether it be my anxiety, depression, or OCPD (which I'll talk about in a blog post to come ;)) A few years into treatment, one of my doctors brought up the possibility of me having a genetic mutation involving my MTHFR gene (wow, no surprise considering basically 4 in 10 adults have it). Apparently, treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder was related to the mutation, so I was tested. Indeed, the test did confirm that I have one of the mutations (I forgot which one, but I am in the process of finding out)---thus beginning my conquest of figuring out what the heck this mutation really is and how it will affect the rest of the world.

xoxo,

Allie