Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a vital gene in the body, which helps in multiple processes such as amino acid processing, mental health regulation and Folate chemical reaction. A properly functional MTHFR gene is needed for such processes to occur smoothly, but mutation in the MTHFR gene can pose various medical issues.
Which Medical Problems Can Arise from MTHFR Gene Mutation?
It can be linked to various medical issues, such as:
- Mental health problems – These include autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.
- Physical health issues – These can be osteoporosis, migraine with aura, recurrent early miscarriage, stroke, cardiovascular disease and also some types of cancers.
- Impaired response to drugs – A mutation in the MTHFR gene can change the response of a patient to some types of chemotherapy drugs, antidepressants and other medications. It can also raise the risks of showing a negative reaction when being administered a standard dental anesthetic – Nitrous oxide anesthesia.
A timely testing is important in order to detect a mutation in the MTHFR gene as early as possible. It is possible for a person to buy a MTHFR home test kit and self-test at home, although the samples should be sent to a lab to get a report.
What are the Precautions to Take?
Those with this type of mutation need to talk to their dentists or doctors before undergoing any process that would involve the use of Nitrous oxide anesthesia.
If one does not respond to conventional treatment measures for depression, anxiety or other similar medical problems, testing for such a gene mutation is necessary.
If you have a history of any of the physical or psychological disorders and fail to respond well to medications, it is important to get tested for this gene mutation as early as possible and consult a physician for adequate MTHFR healing or treatment / management measures.