MTHFR Deficiency, Pregnancy, and Your Child
What is MTHFR?

Folic acid is the main type of folate added to fortified foods and used in vitamin supplements, including prenatals. When people with MTHFR deficiencies consume food or take vitamins with folic acid, their reduced ability to convert it into methylfolate can cause folic acid to build up in the system. In addition, the body is not getting the folate that it needs out of that supplement. Because of this, people with MTHFR deficiencies can end up having too much folic acid and too little methylfolate, which can impact many of the body's functions, including DNA repair, energy production, and heart and blood vessel health.
How common is MTHFR deficiency?

Can an MTHFR deficiency affect Fertility?
Could an MTHFR deficiency affect my baby?

What About the Folate in My Food?

What about folic acid supplements?

How Can I Find Out My MTHFR Status?
One of the most accessible and least expensive ways to find out about your MTHFR status is through 23andMe, which offers a full downloadable list of genetic variations, including the genes that code for MTHFR. A free site called Genetic Genie can further isolate Methylation and Detoxification pathways by linking directly to your 23andMe account. These results may be difficult to interpret, but with a little reading or the guidance of a health care practitioner you can find out a great deal about your body's ability to methylate.